Police Arrest Spector and Driver After Scuffle

Music producer Phil Spector, who is awaiting trial on a murder charge, came to blows with his chauffeur Friday at Spector’s Alhambra mansion and both men were arrested, police said.

Officers responding to a 911 call from the driver arrived at the home around 10:15 a.m. and found the two attempting to place each other under citizen’s arrest, Lt. Elliot Kase, an Alhambra police spokesman, said.

Spector, 64, and Tobie Wheeler, 46, were “giving varying accounts of what prompted the incident,” Kase said.

“They had an issue over their business relationship. We’re not exactly sure what the issue was, but they didn’t seem to come to agreement. It was mutual combat, so they chose to arrest each other.”

According to authorities, Wheeler had been with Spector for three months. He is not connected to Spector’s murder case, Kase said.

Spector had an abrasion on one hand, “nothing that warranted anything more than a Band-Aid,” Kase said. Wheeler complained of an aching jaw.

Marcia Morrissey, one of Spector’s attorneys, said, “I think it is correct to say the person who suffered injuries is Phil, who is much smaller than and much less strong than his young, healthy chauffeur.”

Both men were booked on suspicion of misdemeanor battery.

Spector was released after promising to appear in court on June 14, Kase said. On Friday evening, Wheeler was still awaiting release pending verification of his identity.

Spector was charged on suspicion of murder last year after actress Lana Clarkson was found shot to death in his mansion on Feb. 2, 2003. He has pleaded not guilty.

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Associated Press contributed to this report.