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CNN Live Today

Interview with Margerry Bakley

Aired April 23, 2002 - 10:13   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: With us from Los Angeles right now to share her thoughts on the arraignment, Margerry Bakley, sister of Bonny Lee Bakley. Ms. Bakley, good morning -- thank you for joining us.

MARGERRY BAKLEY, VICTIM'S SISTER: Good morning.

KAGAN: If the information we heard is to be believed from the arraignment yesterday, it sounds like your brother-in-law was very determined allegedly to have your sister killed.

BAKLEY: Yes, that's true.

KAGAN: What did you find most enlightening from the arraignment?

BAKLEY: Well, it's nothing that I didn't already know, but to actually see it in writing and to hear it, it was just awful. This man plotted her demise, and then followed through with it.

KAGAN: And yet, you are very determined to be in the courtroom to follow these procedures through?

BAKLEY: Yes. My sister needs me now as much as she did when she was alive. I need to be there and represent our family and put a face to her, let people know that she was a human being, and she didn't deserve what she got.

KAGAN: What about the other part of the story that's coming out? And it appears that the defense's best argument is going to be basically trashing your sister's reputation and bringing up some unsavory things about her past. That has to be especially unpleasant given the way that she died.

BAKLEY: Mr. Braun is incredible, you know, just talking bad about people is just wrong in itself. Mr. Blake did what he did, and they should really just cop a plea and get on with it.

KAGAN: Any satisfaction to see it to come to this point at least to see him in the courtroom and be arraigned yesterday?

BAKLEY: I don't feel good about this. I feel sorry for his two adult children. I feel bad for my niece who has lost her mother and now her father is in jail. I don't feel good about this. I am sorry this is the decision he made. KAGAN: I was going to ask you about your two-year-old niece. How is she doing, and who is taking care of her?

BAKLEY: I believe Delinah, his older daughter is taking care of her. I have yet to see her.

KAGAN: You haven't had any contact with her over the last year?

BAKLEY: Not at all.

KAGAN: Would you like to? Would you like to have custody of her?

BAKLEY: I would not like to have custody of her. I don't want upset her at this point. I think she is fine where she's at. I believe they love her, and she is safe. Mr. Blake is not there. Delinah is, and I believe she cares for her.

KAGAN: I was interested to hear yesterday in some other interviews I was able to hear that you don't believe in the death penalty, and you don't think it would be appropriate in this case if Robert Blake is convicted in the murder of your sister.

BAKLEY: That's right. I don't believe murder is right no matter who does it, the state or just the average criminal. It is just wrong.

KAGAN: Ultimately, what would you like it see happen to him and to Earle Caldwell, the other man charged in your sister's murder?

BAKLEY: I think they should just stay right where they are at and hopefully make amends with God for what they have done, sit there and just think about it for a long, long time.

KAGAN: Margerry Bakley, thank you for coming on this morning. I know this is still a very difficult time for you and will continue to be through the trial and for a long time to come -- we appreciate your thoughts.

BAKLEY: Thank you.

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