Spector trial witness dies

LOS ANGELES, California - Dianne Ogden, one of five women who testified last year that Phil Spector held her at gunpoint, passed away on December 29.

Dianne Ogden testifies at Phil Spector's trial

Ogden told the jury at Spector's murder trial that she met the music producer in 1982 and maintained a friendship with him over the years. In 1989, after a party at Spector’s Pasadena home, an intoxicated Spector refused to let her leave, she told the jury.

According to Ogden, the defendant then pointed a gun at her face and attempted to rape her. During a second incident a few months later, Spector allegedly threatened her again, chasing her while armed with an Uzi.

Ogden is the only witness that Bruce Cutler, Spector’s former defense attorney, cross-examined. Judge Larry Paul Fidler chastised Cutler in front of the jury for his overbearing tone and tact with the witness.

Dianne Ogden took the stand on May 7, 2007, the third witness of more than 70 to testify in the five-month trial. A mistrial was granted on September 26, 2007 after the jury deadlocked 10-2 for guilt. Several jurors later said that Ogden was a favorite witness among the non-expert witnesses.

Spector will be retried for second degree murder in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson later this year. The new jury is likely to hear from Ogden. Prosecutors are expected to introduce the tape of her trial testimony under the former testimony doctrine of an unavailable witness.

Ogden's funeral is January 9 in Los Angeles. The cause of death is still unknown.

– Beth Karas, In Session correspondent