Officer contradicts Spector's ex

Jurors failed to reach a verdict in Mr Spector's first trial

A police officer called by prosecutors to corroborate a testimony made by Phil Spector's ex-girlfriend ended up contradicting her account in court.

Dorothy Melvin, who dated the music producer for four years, revealed earlier this week that he had hit her over a head with a gun on one occasion.

Sgt Chris Russ, who responded to Ms Melvin's emergency call, said he could not recall seeing any injuries.

Mr Spector denies shooting actress Lana Clarkson at his mansion in 2003.

The prosecution team are trying to prove Mr Spector had a history of threatening women with guns before Ms Clarkson was shot.

'Agitated and aggressive'

Sgt Russ told the Los Angeles courthouse that when he was called out to Mr Spector's home 1993, he found what he described as "something of a domestic incident".

Ms Melvin, former manager of comedian Joan Rivers, claimed Mr Spector was drunk when he hit her over the head and drew blood.

However, Sgt Russ said he had seen no evidence that the music producer was drunk, but admitted that he saw a shotgun in Mr Spector's mansion.

When he became "agitated and aggressive", the police officer said they handcuffed him and called a superior.

Ms Melvin declined to press charges because it would cause unwanted publicity for Ms Rivers.

Jurors failed to reach a decision in Mr Spector's first trial, which ended in September 2007.

The producer, who worked with artists including The Beatles and the Righteous Brothers, faces a minimum of 15 years to life in prison if he is found guilty of second degree murder.

The new trial is expected to last four months.