Spector seeks shorter prison term

Phil Spector still maintains he is innocent

Lawyers for US music producer Phil Spector are requesting a shorter prison term when the 69-year-old is sentenced for murder later this week.

Spector, famed for the "Wall of Sound" technique, was convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson in April.

He was also convicted of using a gun, which prosecutors argue should carry an additional four years, but lawyers have asked the judge to reduce it to three.

The murder conviction alone carries a 15-year life sentence.

Spector was found guilty of shooting Ms Clarkson, who starred in 1985 cult movie Barbarian Queen, at his home in 2003.

'Conjecture'

Spector's case was heard in court at a five-month retrial earlier this year, after a trial in 2007 was abandoned when the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision.

In court papers filed to the sentencing judge, Spector's lawyer Doron Weinberg said his client was "not responsible" for Ms Clarkson's death.

He also claimed the prosecutors' case was based on "conjecture, not facts".

Mr Weinberg claimed Spector "as he has steadfastly maintained since February 3, 2003... did not kill Lana Clarkson, and he is not responsible for her death".