Closing arguments begin in Spector trial

The jury in the second murder trial of Phil Spector have started to hear the final arguments from both sides.

Closing statements from the prosecution and defence could continue until Wednesday, when the jury will begin to deliberate on the case, The AP reports.

Last Friday, Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler ruled that the jury could convict Spector on a lesser charge, including involuntary manslaughter, an option not available in the first trial.

Loyola University Law School professor Laurie Levenson said this decision was "a huge benefit for the prosecution".

She added: "At this point, it ups the odds that the prosecution will walk away with some kind of a conviction. After all this effort, it's better than nothing."

If the Wall of Sound producer is convicted of involuntary manslaughter, he could be sentenced to two to four years in prison.

The jury in the first trial were deadlocked at ten to two in favour of a murder conviction, resulting in a mistrial.