Taylor & Ring Obtains Settlement For Family Of Slain Actress Murdered By Music Producer Phil Spector
John C. Taylor of Taylor & Ring obtained a confidential settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit brought on behalf of the family of slain actress Lana Clarkson who was murdered in February 2003 by music producer Phil Spector. Mr. Spector had previously been criminally convicted by a Los Angeles jury for the murder. The civil wrongful death lawsuit followed.
Mr. Spector was viewed as a musical genius in the 1960s when he produced songs that tapped into the culture of the time. He worked with the greatest bands many generations, including The Beatles and other major artists. He continued to stay relevant in music even into the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s.
One night in 2003, Ms. Clarkson met Mr. Spector at a club she was working at and he invited her to come back to his home to talk some more. Ms. Clarkson was in the entertainment industry and was a singer and actress. She felt as if Mr. Spector was a good person to know. She had no idea about his past violent acts towards other women. After being at his home for a couple of hours, Ms. Clarkson wanted to leave. Mr. Spector refused to let her leave. He pulled a gun out and threatened her, and then he put the gun to her face and pulled the trigger, killing her.
The criminal trial focused on Mr. Spector’s passion for guns and gunplay and several women testified that he threatened them with a gun when he was alone with them, drunk, or trying to seduce them. When the women resisted his advances he became enraged, would pull out a gun, and threaten them. What he did to Ms. Clarkson was no accident.
Mr. Spector was convicted and sentenced to the maximum 19 years to life in prison.
John Taylor then negotiated the confidential settlement with Mr. Spector’s lawyers.
John C. Taylor said that his client (Ms. Clarkson’s mother, Donna Clarkson) was “relieved that this chapter is now behind her.”
This case was featured on CNN, Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Daily Journal.
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