Timing an issue as show announcement released when trial canceled over Cutler’s illnes

By Jeffrey Jolson

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 5/1/07 — Phil Spector attorney Bruce Cutler and his producers started promoting their new TV reality show in the middle of the murder trial, at the same time as the proceedings were postponed for Cutler’s mysterious illness.

The letter announcing the fall premiere of Cutler’s show “Jury Duty,” which will see him acting as a judge with a three-member panel of celebrity jurists, went out to publicists that might be able to supply stars to the show. One star rep that was sent the ill-timed letter was Edward Lozzi, once publicist for Lana Clarkson, whom Spector is accused of killing.

“Why was he out of court all week? Possibly meeting with producers?” Lozzi asked. “This is a show on the fall lineup. Questions need to be answered.”

The judge may be asking them if his chagrin at Culter for postponing the televised trial last week is any indication. Annoyed jurors and witnesses were sent home at first for a day, then a whole week after Cutler said he was unable to attend due to illness.

“Mr. Cutler had to go to the doctor today, we’re hoping it’s very minor but we will not be able to proceed today,” said Judge Larry Paul Fidler last Monday. No details of Cutler’s illness were given. “It’s none of your business,” Roger Rosen told reporters. When Spector was asked about his attorney’s health he seemed to be caught by surprise as well, as he turned his palms up and shrugged.

It was later rumored to be related to adult diabetes and insiders said Cutler’s “blood sugar was down.”

“Jury Duty” producer Vincent Dymon said Cutler was sick, and that he had talked to him by phone last week, but did not go into details. “He was in touch over the weekend.”

“Everyone says its brilliant timing,” said Dymon. “(The trial) is a positive because it shows Bruce’s personality and is getting us a lot of free publicity.”

The timing fumes Lozzi, who called it “the worst PR move possible. Here’s a guy taking advantage of my client’s murder to push a reality TV show. Cutler is in heaven, he has the cameras on him.”

He added “Why would they pick this early time during the beginning of the People v Phil Spector murder trial to mail out a flyer to the entertainment industry. It’s not against the law for a lawyer defending an accused murderer from lifetime incarceration to have his own TV show in pre-production.”

When it was revealed Anna Nicole Smith Judge Larry Seidlin was preparing for a role on a reality courtroom show, the weepy jurist was attacked in the media for using the televised courtroom as a platform for his personal TV ambitions.