Showbiz

Phil Spector's request to appeal murder conviction denied

Published Thursday, Aug 18 2011, 13:12 BST | By Lara Martin

Phil Spector's request to appeal his 2009 murder conviction has been turned down by a court in California.

Spector was jailed two years ago after being convicted of second-degree murder following the death of actress Lana Clarkson, who was shot dead at his home in 2003.

A first hearing in 2007 ended in a mistrial when the jurors couldn't agree on a verdict.

Spector was convicted after a second trial in 2009.

Attorneys for Spector had requested a review of his conviction on the basis he hadn't received a fair trial, however the California Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal, says BBC News.

It follows the decision of a three-judge appeal court in May who ruled there was enough evidence to convict the music producer.

Spector, who has maintained his innocence, is currently serving a 19-year jail sentence.

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