Spector 'is a killer', court told

Phil Spector was in the Los Angeles court with his lawyer Linda Kenney

US music producer Phil Spector had a "smoking gun" in his hand after an actress was shot dead in his mansion, the jury in his murder trial has heard.

In his closing statement, prosecutor Alan Jackson told jurors: "You know in your heart of hearts he is responsible for her death. He killed her."

He recalled testimony from Mr Spector's driver, who claimed he saw the producer emerge from the house holding a gun.

Mr Spector denies killing Lana Clarkson in 2003, arguing that she shot herself.

His lawyers will deliver their closing statement on Thursday, with the jury expected to start considering their verdict on Friday.

Prosecutor Alan Jackson ruled out all the defence theories

Mr Spector, famous for pioneering the "Wall of Sound" recording technique in the 1960s, faces between 15 years and life in prison if convicted.

Mr Jackson reminded the nine-man, three-woman jury of evidence from chauffeur Adriano De Souza, who was outside the property when Clarkson died.

He said the producer came out, holding a gun, and told him: "I think I killed somebody."

Mr Jackson said: "He said Phil Spector, seconds after the gunshot, literally had the smoking gun in his hand, in his right hand, across his waist.

"He literally had Lana Clarkson's blood on his hand."

'Chequebook defence'

Mr Spector, who did not take the witness stand, may have fired the gun accidentally - but that was still enough to find him guilty of murder under Californian law, Mr Jackson said.

"If a person knowingly points a loaded firearm at another person and that gun goes off for any reason, that is second degree murder."

The district attorney also recalled the testimony of five other women who claimed Mr Spector threatened them with guns over the years.

The prosecutor also accused Mr Spector's team of waging a "chequebook defence".

"If you hire enough experts, you can get them to say anything you want," he said.