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January 7, 2008
Posted: 11:00 AM ET

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.

ALT TEXT

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

Filed under: Beth Karas • Trials


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Unknown   January 7th, 2008 2:20 pm ET

Actually, the funeral is Tuesday, January 8th.

sharon ferrell   January 7th, 2008 2:42 pm ET

I suspect Phil Spector in this death also.

The Polemicist   January 7th, 2008 10:07 pm ET

Is there any question at this point?

Does a person go to a celebrity’s palatial mansion and and then decide to kill themselves in the foyer?

Me thinks not.

LimeInHerCoke   January 8th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

Did anyone check little Phil’s alibi at the time Ms. Ogden died?

Rofig   January 9th, 2008 7:41 pm ET

???? I cannot belive it! Please let us know as soon it is known. I hope she didn’t overdose or else the defense is going to have a field day with it!

515angel   January 9th, 2008 9:39 pm ET

God Bless You Dianne,
You were a brave and beautiful woman, with the courage to testify.

Derek   October 29th, 2008 5:03 pm ET

The first jury should be tarred and feathered. What a bunch of idiots. No wonder I don’t believe in the jury system. The only people on jurys are not smart enough to get off. That’s why we have these ridiculous verdicts.

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Sidebar takes you behind the scenes of the day's legal headlines with breaking news and in-depth analysis from In Session's anchors and correspondents.

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