Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

The house of Spector

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Looks like a visit to the Pyrenees may be ahead for the jurors in the Spector trial -- Phil Spector's Pyrenees Castle, that is. The defense wants all 12 jurors (and 6 alternates) to come and see the room where Lana Clarkson died. But getting them there is complicated -- the judge will also come along, and the court reporter, and sheriffs deputies, not to mention the lawyers for both sides. If all the details can be arranged.

The house sits behind a high wall and tall gates in the suburb of Alhambra, surrounded by single-family homes. Spector's, which would be the grandest of the bunch even if it didn't have the pretentious name and high gates, has 8 bedrooms, 10 baths and is 8,686 square feet. Zillow estimates its value at $3.1 million. But it's only a few blocks away from busy Valley Boulevard, where it's easy to buy a pizza, get a new windshield or spend the night at a low-rent motel (or even do all three).

Neighbors told LAist that they've been warned the trial will descend on their block soon. They've been instructed to carry ID with proof of residence to be able to make it through whatever barriers will be in place. While this might make some people cranky, they were awfully nice to us, and wanted to gossip about the trial. What happened that night? Did he do it?

Since Phil Spector got out on bail, the music producer has been living in his house, which is, as you know, where Lana Clarkson died. Let's hope what with all that square footage, it's got another entrance or two. Because four years of comings and going through the (pick one) murder/suicide scene would give us the creeps.

photo by Carolyn Kellogg

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today