Phil Spector Mistaken for a Woman

In his opening statement in the Phil Spector case, prosecutor Alan Jackson told the jury that actress Lana Clarkson initially thought Spector was a woman.

The B movie actress only found out Spector was a man when she confronted him about not being on the guest list for the House of Blues, where she was working as a hostess.

Spector has been charged with killing the blonde bombshell at his California home on February 3, 2003.

Defense attorneys are supposed to speak this afternoon.

It took about eight months for authorities to charge Spector with murder. They are proceeding on a theory of "implied malice," alleging he did not intend to kill Clarkson but caused her death by reckless behavior and taking an extreme risk.

If convicted of second-degree murder, he could face 15 years to life in prison.