Prison Has Not Been Kind To Phil Spector, New Photo Reveals
A new photo released by the California Department of Corrections shows that prison has not been good to convicted murderer Phil Spector.
The record producer was convicted in 2009 for the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson, and is currently serving time at California’s State Prison Health Care Facility in Stockton, according to the New York Daily News.
During his trial, Phil Spector became known almost as much for his rich, luxurious — and utterly ridiculous — locks as he was for his long career in music, or for his murder charges. Everyone knew Spector was wearing wigs, since he was comfortably in his 60s at the time of his trial. But now, the truth is out there for all to see, according to
The mugshots were taken when Phil Spector was being transferred to the prison system’s health care facility, which treats California’s sickest inmates, in 2013. Aged 74, Spector is showing obvious signs of age. California Department of Corrections would not provide any specific details about Spector’s health, citing privacy concerns. During his trial, which was covered in this Inquisitr report, defense witness Vincent DiMaio suggested that Spector might have Parkinson’s Disease, according to USA Today.
“Look at Mr. Spector. He has Parkinson’s features. He trembles.”
Phil Spector found success in the music industry as a songwriter and producer beginning in the early 1960’s, according to Biography. By many standards, he revolutionized music in the 60s with his technique that was known as the “Wall of Sound.” The high point of his career, arguably, was producing the Beatles’ “Let It Be.”
However, following his early success in the music industry, Phil Spector spent the next several decades devolving deeper and deeper into bizarre, borderline psychotic behavior. In 2003, actress Lana Clarkson was found dead in Spector’s mansion, with a single gunshot wound through the roof of her mouth. Spector was arrested and charged with murder, although his defense team argued that Clarkson was despondent over her career and committed suicide. A first trial resulted in a deadlocked jury, but Spector was ultimately found guilty in a second trial.
Since being incarcerated, Spector’s third wife, Rachelle, has been continuing to visit him in prison, according to The Huffington Post.
Spector is among the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. prison population, according to The Huffington Post: the elderly. Phil Spector will be 88 years old when he will be first eligible for parole from prison.
[Image courtesy of: New York Daily News]
