Early finish for Spector defence

Mr Spector, who denies murder, will not testify at the trial

Defence lawyers in Phil Spector's murder trial are to drop a number of star witnesses and close its case early on Wednesday morning.

Prosecutors said they were unprepared for the announcement and would have to juggle their schedule to bring in rebuttal witnesses early.

As a result, testimony could end on 9 August, the date set for a jury tour of Mr Spector's mansion.

Actress Lana Clarkson died there in 2003. Mr Spector denies murder.

He met Ms Clarkson at a Los Angeles nightclub, the House of Blues, where she was working as a waitress.

She accompanied the record producer back to his house where, later that night, she died of a gunshot wound to the mouth.

Mr Spector's lawyers claim the actress was depressed and committed suicide.

Testimony bid

On Tuesday, the defence team made a final bid to let the jury hear transcripts of testimony by renowned forensic expert Dr Henry Lee.

Dr Lee, who is currently travelling in China, had earlier testified at a hearing on disputed evidence - which was held outside the jury's presence.

But Supreme Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler scolded Mr Spector's lawyers for letting the witness leave the country.

"You knew he was leaving," he said. "Any time you wanted, you could have had a subpoena issued.

"His trip does not take precedence over this trial."

Dr Lee has been accused of withholding a piece of evidence collected at the murder scene - a claim he denies.

Spector statement

Mr Spector made his first comment of the four-month trial on Tuesday after the judge asked whether he wanted his lawyer, Bruce Cutler, to deliver the closing argument.

Mr Cutler, who opened the trial in April, has frequently been absent from court to fulfil filming commitments on a US TV show.

Judge Fidler said: "Mr Spector, if you choose to have Mr Cutler argue this case and if there is a conviction, you give up the right to come back at a later time and say 'my attorney wasn't there'".

He asked Mr Spector specifically if this was what he wanted. The record producer said: "I'll discuss it with him".

The 67-year-old, who invented the legendary Wall of Sound production technique, faces between 15 years and life in prison if convicted of murder.

He is not due to testify.