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CNN Sunday Morning

Robert Blake's Wife Shot, Considered Homicide

Aired May 06, 2001 - 07:04   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now to a high profile crime in Los Angeles. Police are investigating the shooting death of actor Robert Blake's wife. And they've questioned the former "Beretta" star as a witness.

CNN's Hena Cuevas has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HENA CUEVAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Police in Los Angeles searched the home of actor Robert Blake for several hours. According to the L.A.P.D., the search was part of the ongoing investigation into the shooting death of the television actor's wife, Bonnie Bakly. Police say Bakley was found in the front of her husband's car Friday night with a gunshot wound.

According to police, Blake told him he and his wife had dinner had this Italian restaurant in an upscale Los Angeles neighborhood, leaving around 9:40 p.m.

DON HARTWELL, LOS ANGELES POLICE: Mr. Blake returned to the restaurant believing that he had left some properties while he was dining there and retrieved the property and came back to the vehicle. And upon his return to the vehicle, he discovered that his wife was injured.

CUEVAS: According to Blake's attorney, the actor went back to get his gun, which he had been carrying at his wife's request because she believed somebody was stalking her.

HARLAND BRAUN, BLAKE'S ATTORNEY: When he sat down, he had the gun in the waist band. And he said, "I put it down on the seat." And he put his sweatshirt over the seat. When he left, he just forgot and you know, like anyone who leaves an umbrella.

CUEVAS: Police say Blake told them after he found his wife, he ran to a home across the street to get help. Bakley died at a nearby hospital. Police say Blake is not considered a suspect.

HARTWELL: He was interviewed like any witness should be interviewed, but he wasn't questioned. He was interviewed as a witness to the crime.

CUEVAS (on camera): So he's a witness, not a suspect? HARTWELL: He's a witness at this time.

CUEVAS): Could that change?

HARTWELL: Oh, anything could change.

BRAUN: They can view him as a witness -- and that someone from her past is involved in this. And hopefully, they can figure it out, who it is.

CUEVAS (voice-over): Braun alleges Bakley was involved in some questionable business schemes in the past and feared for her safety. Robert Blake gained worldwide fame with the 1970s detective series "Baretta." He started acting at age five and found movie success with his portrayal of killer Perry Smith in the 1967 film "In Cold Blood."

(on camera): Blake's attorney said the actor won't be spending the night at home. Because he suffers from a blood pressure condition, he's checked himself into a local area hospital, where he will spend the night.

(voice-over): The couple's 11-month-old baby is staying with relatives.

Hena Cuevas, CNN Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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