Spector appealing murder conviction

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The 70 year old was sentenced to 19 years to life behind bars last May (09) after he was found guilty of fatally shooting actress Lana Clarkson at his Alhambra, California home in 2003.

On Wednesday (10Mar10) his lawyers filed a 148-page brief stating the conviction should be overturned because of prosecutors' misconduct, insisting Spector was denied his right to a fair trial.

Spector's legal team alleges the prosecution urged the jury to convict Spector based on his character.

They also cite judicial misconduct, claiming prosecutors played video footage to the jury which featured Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler commenting on the case's evidence.

It took two trials to convict Spector - the first trial ended in a deadlock as the jury could not agree on a verdict.

The state attorney general's office is expected to file a reply brief next month (Apr10), according to the Associated Press.