Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler has signed a declaration saying that he was not biased or prejudiced against any party in the Phil Spector murder trial last year.

The declaration was part of a defense motion that sought to disqualify the judge from presiding over the retrial under the suspicion of prejudice against the music producer.

"I am not prejudiced or biased against or in favor of any party to this proceeding or their counsel," Fidler said in a statement signed on March 19th.

Phil Spector, 67, a legendary rock music producer famed for his "Wall of Sound" recording technique, is soon to undergo a retrial, accused of murdering actress Lana Clarkson, 40, in February 2003 at his Alhambra mansion.

The actress, best known for her role in "Barbarian Queen," was working as a hostess at the House of Blues when she met Spector and went home with him.

Spector's first trial ended in a jury deadlock last September. No date has been set for the retrial.

(by Hazel Sheffield)