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CNN Live Today

Blake and Bodyguard to Be Arraigned Later this Morning

Aired April 22, 2002 - 11:06   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Let's go to the West Coast right now. The Los Angeles police take their murder case against actor Robert Blake to court today. CNN's Thelma Gutierrez is covering Blake's arraignment for us. She joins us now live -- hello, Thelma.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello there, Leon. In about three-and-a-half hours, actor Robert Blake will be formally charged with one count of murder and the special circumstance allegation of lying in wait and two counts of soliciting murder. Those are charges that could make the actor eligible for the death penalty.

Now, Los Angeles police say it was the 68-year-old actor who actually shot and killed his wife, 44-year-old Bonny Lee Bakley, on the night of May 4 last year after the two had gone out to dinner. Police say they found the murder weapon in a nearby trash dumpster shortly after Bakley was killed. Blake married Bonny after DNA test results proved that he was the father of two-year-old, Rose.

In an exclusive interview this morning with Paula Zahn, Bakley's sister, Margerry Bakley, said she always believed that Blake was the killer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARGERRY BAKLEY, BONNY LEE BAKLEY'S SISTER: The man absolutely hated her, and there were too many lies, too many things going on. My sister believed strongly he was going to kill her and, in fact, he did.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUTIERREZ: But Blake's attorney, Harland Braun, had also said that even though the couple had a troubled marriage, that it was someone out of Bakley's questionable past who actually killed her, not the actor. When asked if Robert Blake should face the death penalty, Bakley's sister said no.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BAKLEY: I am Catholic, and I am opposed to the death penalty. I understand it is California law, but if it did come to it, I would plead for Mr. Blake's life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUTIERREZ: Margerry Bakley, who is Bonny's sister, is expected to be in court this morning for the arraignment. And incidentally, Blake's bodyguard, Earle Caldwell, will also be arraigned this morning. He is accused of conspiracy to commit murder -- Leon, back to you.

HARRIS: Thelma, we are also hearing that there is going to be a hearing as well concerning whether or not there will be cameras admitted to the courtroom. What do you know about that?

GUTIERREZ: All I know is that there was speculation yesterday that Harland Braun would ask that cameras not be allowed in the court during the duration of the trial. But cameras, I understand, will be allowed there for the arraignment -- Leon.

HARRIS: All right. Very good. And we are glad to hear that, Thelma, because we're going to have live coverage of that. Thelma Gutierrez, thank you very much. We will check back with you later on.

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