Phil Spector appeared in a Los Angeles courthouse earlier this month as jury selection began for the music producer's upcoming murder retrial, which begins this week, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Spector, who returned to the courthouse 13 months after his first murder trial ended in a hung jury, faces up to 18 years in prison if convicted of killing actress Lana Clarkson in the foyer of his Alhambra, CA, mansion Feb. 3, 2003. The producer, famous for his work with The Beatles, The Ramones and Tina Turner, among others, is facing second-degree murder charges.

During the retrial, defense attorneys reportedly are expected to maintain the argument that Clarkson was suicidal over what she felt was her less-than-stellar Hollywood career, and shot herself.

Prosecutors reportedly will try to convince the jury that Spector shot the actress in the mouth because she rebuffed his sexual advances.

For the new trial, Spector has armed himself with a new defense attorney, replacing his former legal team which was comprised of a half-dozen attorneys, including a New York City mob lawyer, according to the LA Times report.

Judge Larry Paul Fidler reportedly told prospective jurors that he hopes this trial will run for three months rather than last year's five-month ordeal.