A mistrial has been declared in the murder case of legendary music producer Phil Spector after the jury failed to reach a verdict for the second time.

Spector was accused of shooting dead movie actress Lana Clarkson in February 2003 - a charge he has always denied.

Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler dismissed the jurors after they pronounced themselves hung, 10-2, on a charge of second-degree murder and saw no chance of reaching a unanimous verdict.

But prosecutors quickly vowed to put the rock music mogul on trial a second time.

A hearing will take place next Wednesday to discuss the next move in the case. It is likely to be several months before jury selection could begin for a second trial.

The jury spent 12 days deliberating accusations against Spector - credited with revolutionising pop music in the early 1960s with his "Wall of Sound" recording technique.

Jurors said the ten-person majority had voted to find Spector guilty but the two were in favour of an acquittal, believing it was possible that Clarkson had committed suicide, as defence lawyers had suggested.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley said: "We are disappointed the jury was unable to reach a verdict. We will seek the court's permission to retry the case and begin immediately to prepare for retrial."

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