LOS ANGELES – A high-powered lawyer for troubled music genius Phil Spector predicted his client will dodge murder charges in a forecast that irked cops, who called the comment “improper.”
Famed defense lawyer Robert Shapiro said he’s sure Spector will not face murder charges, even though a B- movie queen was found shot to death in his mansion on Feb. 3.
“I am convinced that the thorough and accurate investigation of the evidence by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s department, its criminalist, and the county coroner will prove that Phil Spector is innocent of any crime,” Shapiro told The Associated Press in his first public comments since Spector’s arrest seven weeks ago.
Earlier in the week, an L.A. radio station reported that investigators believe actress Lana Clarkson accidentally shot herself to death at Spector’s home in Alhambra, Calif. A defiant Spector told The Post he should have never been arrested.
A high-ranking Sheriff’s investigator accused Shapiro and Spector of waging a publicity campaign before the police investigation is done.
“Someone wants us to go back and forth on this,” said Capt. Frank Merriman. “We’re not going to play that. We’re going to let the ball bounce a few times on our side of the net. I think it’s an improper way of dealing with this.”
Cops busted Spector after they found Clarkson, a stunning 40-year-old B-movie queen, dead in the foyer of the maestro’s mansion.
Officers had to use a taser gun to subdue Spector before arresting him on suspicion of murder.
The 62-year-old music legend spent several hours in jail before posting $1 million bail.