May 23, 2008, 2:59 GMT
Los Angeles - Rock legend Phil Spector will be retried for the 2003 murder of struggling actress Lana Clarkson in a new trial starting in September, a Los Angeles judge ruled Thursday.
Music producer Phil Spector EPA/GABRIEL BOUYS / POOL
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler was forced to declare a mistrial in September 2007 after the jury in Spector's first trial deadlocked 10-2 in favor of a guilty verdict.
Spector is accused of shooting former B movie actress Clarkson after meeting her earlier in the evening at a nightclub where she worked. During a five-month trial, witnesses heard of Spector's history of using guns to threaten women.
Spector claims that Clarkson shot herself.
Spector, 68, was a legend in the music world for inventing the 'Wall of Sound' production technique and producing hit songs for The Beatles, the Ronettes, Ike and Tina Turner and the Ramones.
The new trial is set to start on September 29 with Fidler presiding. Spector's legal team have appealed to the Supreme Court to have the judge replaced, claiming he is biased against their client.
Your Talkback on this Story