Jury chosen for Spector retrial

Phil Spector has always denied murdering Lana Clarkson in 2003

A jury has been selected for the murder retrial of music pioneer Phil Spector, who is accused of shooting actress Lana Clarkson five years ago.

Lawyers have also now begun questioning more prospective jurors to find six alternates for the trial.

Opening statements are scheduled for later this month, and the trial is expected to last until January.

A mistrial was declared in Spector's first trial a year ago when jurors could not reach a decision.

The new jury consists of seven men and five women.

Mr Spector is charged with second-degree murder, but has always denied he had anything to do Ms Clarkson's death.

His lawyers argued that the actress shot herself as she was feeling despondent about her fading career.

Mr Spector has been free on $1m (£648,000) bail since the incident at his Los Angeles mansion in 2003.

He faces a minimum of 15 years to life in prison if he is found guilty.