Spector retrial delay 'is likely'

Mr Spector did not take the stand in the first trial

A murder retrial for music producer Phil Spector is unlikely to take place until September due to the commitments of the last member of his legal team.

Christopher Plourd is involved in two death penalty cases and is unavailable until the autumn.

Most of Spector's legal team resigned or were dispensed with after the mistrial was declared, with only Mr Plourd remaining in place.

The mistrial was declared after a jury failed to reach a verdict.

This followed 12 days of deliberation.

The music producer, 68, denies murdering actress Lana Clarkson at his Los Angeles mansion in 2003.

According to Deputy District Attorney Pat Dixon, the prosecution want a fresh trial to begin as soon as possible, but have conceded that Mr Plourd's schedule will make this difficult.

Judge Larry Fidler has set a hearing for 7 March to check on Mr Plourd's caseload, while a date to determine when a trial will take place has been scheduled for 22 May.