Phil Spector guilty of 2nd-degree murder

Los Angeles — Rock music producer Phil Spector was convicted Monday of second-degree murder in the shooting death of a film actress at his mansion six years ago, a verdict that will send him to prison for at least 18 years barring a successful appeal.

A Superior Court jury returned the verdict after about 30 hours of deliberations. The jury had the option of choosing the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter, but did not do so.

The panel also found Spector guilty of using a firearm in committing a crime.

Spector exhibited no reaction to the verdict. His attorney argued that he should remain free on bail pending the May 29 sentencing, but Judge Larry Paul Fidler remanded him to jail immediately.

Defense attorney Doron Weinberg said he believed the case was swayed by the judge’s erroneous rulings, particularly one that allowed five women from Spector’s past to testify. He said it would be the basis for appeal and a request for a new trial.

The 40-year-old Lana Clarkson, star of the 1985 cult film “Barbarian Queen,” died of a gunshot fired in her mouth as she sat in the foyer of Spector’s mansion in 2003. She met Spector only hours earlier at her job as a nightclub hostess.

Prosecutors argued Spector had a history of threatening women with guns when they tried to leave his presence. The defense claimed she killed herself.

Mel Gibson’s wife files for divorce in L.A.

Los Angeles — Mel Gibson’s wife of 28 years filed for divorce Monday, citing irreconcilable differences.

Robyn Gibson filed the petition, which offers no details of the breakup, in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The couple have seven children, but only one under 18. Robyn Gibson has requested joint custody of their son who turns 10 today.

Details of how the couple’s assets will be divided were not spelled out in the court filings. Robyn Gibson is seeking jewelry and earnings and assets she accrued after the couple separated, and a share of the money and assets Gibson, 53, has earned during his nearly three decades as a Hollywood hitmaker.

She wants the actor-director to pay spousal support and her attorney’s fees.

Mel Gibson filed a response to the divorce within four hours of his wife’s filing, stating that the couple separated in late August 2006. He does not want to pay Robyn Gibson spousal support and is seeking that attorneys’ fees be paid out of the couple’s joint property, the documents show.

Obamas host Easter egg roll at White House

Washington — President Barack Obama welcomed thousands of families to the White House on Monday for the first Easter egg roll of his administration, an event with a 131-year tradition that this year is aimed at promoting healthy, active lifestyles among the nation’s youth.

Obama read a children’s book aloud to a few dozen kids, played basketball with others on the White House court and officiated at the featured event of the day, the traditional Easter egg roll in which children use oversized spoons to push decorated eggs in a race across an expanse of White House lawn. The festivities also included musical performances by pop star Ziggy Marley and the D.C. Youth Orchestra, among others.

After a rousing rendition of the national anthem by Fergie, Obama officially welcomed the throng to the White House from a balcony overlooking the South Lawn. Appearing with him were first lady Michelle Obama; their children, Malia and Sasha; Michelle Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson; and someone wearing an Easter bunny costume.

Madonna still hopes to adopt Malawian child

Blantyre, Malawi — Madonna has told a newspaper in Malawi that she still wants to adopt a girl from the poor African nation despite legal obstacles, to educate her and empower her to help people in her country.

The pop star told The Nation that she would appeal against a court ruling that she wasn’t eligible to adopt a 3-year-old orphan, Chifundo “Mercy” James, because she hasn’t lived in Malawi.

“I want to provide Mercy with a home, a loving family environment and the best education and health care possible,” she said in an e-mailed response to questions from the newspaper.

“And it’s my hope that she, like David, will one day return to Malawi and help the people of their country,” Madonna told the Nation on Sunday.

On Monday, Madonna’s office confirmed the interview and the quotes.

Madonna spotted both David and Mercy in an orphanage in 2006. She was able to leave the country immediately with David and the adoption is now final.

‘Idol’ star Cowell says he isn’t leaving yet

New York — Simon Cowell wants to look on the bright side concerning his future with “American Idol.”

The famously acerbic Cowell says he still loves doing the Fox network show and that he’ll be staying put as judge at least another year. That’s the time remaining on his contract.

Cowell earlier had sparked widespread speculation that he might be leaving “Idol.” In an interview in England’s Daily Mirror, he said he can’t keep up his busy schedule indefinitely. Besides “Idol,” Cowell has two British-based shows and other projects.