Trial of property litigation between the city of Alhambra and imprisoned record producer Phil Spector and his wife, Rachelle, was scheduled by a judge today for late next year.
(dullhunk, Flickr Creative Commons)
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ralph Dau set trial for Dec. 11, 2013, so that lawyers for both sides can complete geotechnical and survey work they say they need to complete beforehand.
The Spectors began the legal fight by filing an inverse condemnation suit against the city April 19, alleging that the couple’s Grand View Drive mansion has been destabilized by road work and construction performed by Alhambra workers.
The home, called the Pyrenees Castle, is where Spector shot actress Lana Clarkson to death in 2003.
It was built in 1926 and Spector bought it in 1998.
The complaint alleges a city wall that supports the hillside on Grand View has deteriorated and is causing a landslide and subsidence that is damaging the Spectors’ property.
The lawsuit alleges that road cuts that are part of a public project have destabilized the hillside.
The city countersued in July 19, alleging the Spectors are encroaching on a portion of city property. Alhambra officials are alleging trespass and want a judge to declare the couple has no right to the land.
Attorney Steve Blum, on behalf of the Spectors, told Dau the couple is waiting to hear from their insurance carrier to see if they have coverage for the countersuit.
Spector was convicted of second-degree murder for killing Clarkson and was sentenced in May 2009 to 19 years to life in prison. He is serving the term
at the California State Prison, Corcoran.
Spector pioneered the Wall of Sound style of music that launched the careers of such groups as The Ronettes and The Crystals.
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Bringing in the geotechnical and survey workers sounds very costly for each side. I am wondering how it was written up in the deed when purchased. Maybe they’ve been paying taxes on something for years that wasn’t even theirs. Sounds like Alhambra’s top people got testy right back and is going the full route. “Trespass and no right to the land.”……wow. I think I would have fixed it myself and let that hornets nest alone. I don’t think Mr Spector will ever set foot back on that property again.