Phil Spector Convicted of 2nd-Degree Murder in Actress’s Death at His L.A. Home

After an estimated 30 hours of deliberation, a Los Angeles jury has found famed music producer Phil Spector guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of 40-year-old actress Lana Clarkson at his home in 2003.

The guilty verdict is a significant victory for prosecutors: An earlier mistrial reportedly ended in a 10-2 deadlock in favor in favor of acquittal, and Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler had ruled that the jury could consider a lesser included charge of involuntary manslaughter, notes the Associated Press.

Spector, 69, now faces a likely sentence of at least 18 years, reports the Los Angeles Times.

A blistering closing may have tipped the balance in the government's favor at this trial. The prosecutor called Spector a "demonic maniac" with a history of threatening and sadistic behavior toward women, and compared defense arguments to shifting sand dunes.

The defense, in its closing, argued that the government hadn't proved its case.

Spector had been free on $1 million bail, but was taken into custody today as soon as the guilty verdict was read, reports Reuters.

Additional coverage:

BBC: "Phil Spector convicted of murder "

Esquire (2003): "Be My, Be My Baby: The Phil Spector Story"

New York Times: "Phil Spector Found Guilty of Murder "