Spector threatened several women with guns, say prosecutors

Published on Thursday 5 April 2007 01:25

PROSECUTORS in the Phil Spector murder case have asked a judge to allow evidence from a former employee and one-time girlfriend who said the famed record producer pointed a gun at her head in two separate incidents that occurred decades ago.

In court documents filed this week, Alan Jackson, the deputy district attorney, said the evidence demonstrates a "long history of gun-related violence directed at women" and should be admitted as evidence during Spector's forthcoming trial on charges that he killed actress Lana Clarkson in February 2003.

Devra Robitaille, who worked at Warner Spector Records from 1974 to 1977, told investigators that one night Spector placed a shotgun or rifle against her forehead when she tried to leave the producer's home after a party.

"Spector, who was drunk, made some sort of joke and then said, 'Just so you know, I'll blow your [expletive] head off', or 'If you try to leave, I'll blow your [expletive] brains out'," according to the court documents.

Ms Robitaille told Spector to "knock that off and put that away", and he let her leave.

A similar incident occurred a decade later, when she claims Spector again put a gun to her head in the foyer of his home after a night of drinking. At the time, Ms Robitaille worked as a part-time assistant for Spector.

A hearing was scheduled for 10 April to consider the prosecution's request.

Prosecutors already plan to present evidence from four other women who claim that Spector threatened them with a gun.

In a separate motion, prosecutors also asked the court to admit into evidence a conversation Spector reportedly had with a retired New York City Police officer at a holiday party at the home of Joan Rivers in 1995 or 1996.

Vince Tannazzo, who was working on security at the party, said he was asked to escort Spector out after a commotion. While they were leaving, Mr Tannazzo said Spector made threatening remarks about women.

Prosecutors allege Spector - creator of the "Wall of Sound" that revolutionised the recording of rock music - shot Ms Clarkson to death on 3 February, 2003, in the foyer of his home. She was working as a hostess at the House of Blues when she went home with Spector that night.

The coroner's office called it a murder, but also noted that Ms Clarkson had gunshot residue on both of her hands and may have pulled the trigger.

In an e-mail to friends, Spector, whose age has been reported variously as 66 and 67, called the death "an accidental suicide". He has pleaded not guilty and has been free on $1 million bail since his arrest. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Jury selection was scheduled to resume on 16 April.

Spector produced the Beatles' Let It Be album and wrote such pop classics as Da Doo Ron Ron and Be My Baby.