Jury panel hears Spector 'guilty'

"Honestly, I think he did it," said one woman during jury selection. "I think I'm a fair person but it would be very difficult to forget what I read."

Around 200 people are being screened for the jury. Lawyers are preparing to argue for the removal of candidates.

Mr Spector, 67, denies killing Clarkson at his Los Angeles mansion in 2003.

The 40-year-old actress had been working as a hostess at a venue called the House of Blues and went home with Mr Spector on the night of her death.

In pre-trial-hearings, the prosecution argued that Mr Spector deliberately placed a weapon in the mouth of the B-movie star.

They also suggested he had previously threatened women with guns, but was never charged.

Mr Spector is expected to argue that Clarkson's death was "self-inflicted".

Questionnaire

Prospective jurors had to complete an 18-page questionnaire intended to discover any hidden prejudices that may deny the music producer a fair trial.

One woman wrote: "In my opinion Phillip is at fault."

Questioned in Los Angeles Superior Court, she said she had concluded Mr Spector was guilty, but added she had served on juries before and thought she could separate her opinions from evaluation of the evidence.

Several of the potential jury members said they believed Mr Spector was responsible for Clarkson's well-being because he had taken her into his home.

"I think if you invite someone over to your house you have an obligation to feed them, show them hospitality and protect them," said a male candidate.

Prosecutor Alan Jackson reminded the panel they were being asked "to judge a set of facts, not a person".

He also assured them they would not have to decide a penalty for Spector because it is not a death-penalty case.

Judge Larry Paul Fidler also advised potential jurors to ignore media coverage of the trial, which is to be televised.

Opening statements are expected to begin at the end of April.

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