Phil Spector appeals murder conviction

Phil Spector has begun legal proceedings to appeal his murder conviction.

The music producer's attorneys appeared in a Los Angeles court yesterday to argue that his conviction for second degree murder should be overturned and a third trial granted.

Spector is currently serving a prison sentence for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson in 2003. She died from a gunshot wound to the mouth.

The first hearing, in 2007, ended in a mistrial after the jurors could not agree on a verdict. A second trial took place in 2009.

The 71-year-old, who pleaded not guilty at both trials, was not present in court.

His solicitors argued that Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler, who was the trial judge in the 2009 hearing, effectively became a part of the prosecution after he used his hand to point out crucial evidence during a Powerpoint presentation.

However, the Los Angeles Times reports that Presiding Justice Joan Klein told the Second District Court of Appeal that Fidler's actions were meant to clarify witness testimony.

Spector's legal team also argued that both the 2007 and 2009 trials were prejudiced by testimony from five women who alleged to have been victims of gun-related incidents with Spector in the past.

According to Reuters, a decision could take up to three months.