Judge in Phil Spector Case Modifies Jury Instructions

Of course this new view of the jury instructions only developed after the jury announced that they were deadlocked 7-5.

Judge Fidler originally contemplated adding a lesser included manslaughter instruction but ultimately decided against doing so. Instead the judge crafted his own new instruction to replace the pin-point instruction in Defense Special Instruction #3.

The new instruction gives examples of how Spector may be found guilty of 2nd degree murder without the jury finding the prosecution’s version of the case to be true.

Most legal experts this modification of instructions is disastrous if deliberations result in a conviction.

Whether it is a mistrial or a reversal on appeal, the Phil Spector trial will most likely take all over again.