Phil Spector jurors hear angry phone messages

Jurors in the murder trial of Phil Spector heard a series of phone messages left to a former girlfriend nearly 14 years ago, on Monday (May 7th). Prosecutors in the case against Spector for the 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson played several of Spector's messages to Dorothy Melvin, who at the time was Joan Rivers' manager. The Associated Press reported that the prosecution is hoping to prove that, prior to Clarkson's murder in Spector's home, he exhibited "a history of recklessness with guns."

The calls were from July 2nd, 1993, the day after Melvin had reported to police that Spector had pulled a gun on her. The six messages that were played in court show Spector at different points being apologetic, saying that, "I just want you to know what you did last night was the right thing. It's what you had to do. It's OK," and at another point saying, "You never did anything wrong. It was all me and my inexcusable behavior. I apologize... I'll stay out of your life. It was not your fault... I wish you luck, dear. You certainly deserve a lot better than that."

The final two messages had an angry Spector declaring that, "Keep smiling, Dorothy. I expect a return call. But be careful what you say to me because nothing you say is worth your life. Goodbye, Dorothy," and finally, "You're never going to get out of what you did. I'm going to get you for what you did and you'll see papers Monday morning."

Pasadena Police Sergeant Chris Russ testified that Spector was initially cooperative upon questioning at the time of the incident, but then became irate and asked the officers to leave his house. Russ claimed that Spector did not appear to be drunk, and although he appeared to be unarmed, he was wearing a shoulder gun holster, and a shotgun was visible inside the residence.

Spector remains free on $1 million bail.
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