Eccentric music producer Phil Spector was sentenced yesterday to 19 years to life in prison for the murder of a Hollywood actress. Spector, 69, who revolutionized pop music in the 1960s with his layered "Wall of Sound" production technique, was convicted in April of second-degree murder after a second trial. The first trial ended in a deadlock in 2007. Lana Clarkson, 40, a B-movie actress, died of a shot to the mouth, fired from Spector's gun in the foyer of his mock castle home outside Los Angeles on Feb. 3, 2003. The sentence means that Spector must spend at least 19 years in prison before being eligible for parole. If not paroled, he will spend the rest of his life behind bars. (Reuters)
Homes in Mumbai Government officials in Mumbai said yesterday that the city will give the two impoverished child stars of the hit movie "Slumdog Millionaire" new homes. Rubina Ali, 9, and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 10, lost their homes this month when authorities demolished parts of their slum. The filmmakers have also promised them apartments. Rubina was delighted by the prospect of a new home. "I'm very happy," she said yesterday. "I can have a place of my own. It will be much cleaner." (AP) Government officials in Mumbai said yesterday that the city will give the two impoverished child stars of the hit movie "Slumdog Millionaire" new homes., 9, and, 10, lost their homes this month when authorities demolished parts of their slum. The filmmakers have also promised them apartments. Rubina was delighted by the prospect of a new home. "I'm very happy," she said yesterday. "I can have a place of my own. It will be much cleaner." (AP)
Spears sued A former TMZ photographer is suing Britney Spears over an incident in which his foot was run over. The lawsuit, filed yesterday by Ricardo Mendoza, claims that Spears negligently operated her car and committed assault and battery in Beverly Hills in October 2007. (AP) A former TMZ photographer is suingover an incident in which his foot was run over. The lawsuit, filed yesterday by, claims that Spears negligently operated her car and committed assault and battery in Beverly Hills in October 2007. (AP)
Real live celebrities? 'It's going to be action packed. There's going to be some surprises - nothing I can divulge, but it will involve celebrities.' Andy Samberg describing the MTV Movie Awards, which he'll host tomorrow 'It's going to be action packed. There's going to be some surprises - nothing I can divulge, but it will involve celebrities.'describing the MTV Movie Awards, which he'll host tomorrow
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
Phil Spector 
Music producer Phil Spector has been sentenced to life imprisonment, of which he will serve a minimum of nineteen years in prison. This for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson who was shot through the mouth in Spector's Los Angeles home in 2003.

The 69-year-old man had spent two trials and millions of dollars before conviction, with his defense being the claim Clarkson had killed herself due to depression. Spector's chauffeur testified he heard a gunshot before Spector told him "I think I killed somebody" and five separate woman said Spector had previously threatened them with guns.

Spector had a previous conviction for brandishing a gun in the 1970s, and received probation at the time. In addition to the mandatory 15 years imprisonment for second-degree murder he will spend another four years in jail due to the use of a firearm, making him 88 when he is eligible for parole. He was also ordered to pay over $26,000 restitution costs.

Wife Rachelle Spector maintained her husband's innocence, saying "This is a sad day for everybody involved. The Clarkson family has lost a daughter and a sister. I've lost my husband, my best friend. I feel that a grave injustice has been done and from this day forward I'm going to dedicate myself to proving my husband's innocence."

Son Louis Spector, however, felt that his father was guilty. "I'm torn about this. I'm losing my father who is going to spend his life in jail. At the same time, justice is served."