Phil Spector's murder trial has been delayed for a third time, after a Los Angeles judge decided to give the defence, who are awaiting the completion of forensic tests, more time to prepare its case. The trial, which was scheduled to begin on 16 Jan next year will now start on 5 March.
The case, which relates, of course, to the alleged murder of actress Lana Clarkson at the producer's home in February 2003, was originally intended to start on 24 Apr this year, but was postponed due to one of Spector's lawyers scheduling conflicts until September. It was delayed for the second time by the judge, Larry Fidler, who decided to try another case scheduled for the same period.
Spector, as previously reported, is currently free on $1m bail. He has, in the meantime, been in court fighting a lawsuit he brought against his former personal assistant claiming that she had embezzled money from his accounts, and her countersuit based on claims of sexual harassment.