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CNN Live Today

Robert Blake Case: Judge Decides on Bodyguard's Defense

Aired May 20, 2002 - 14:20   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: This afternoon inside of a courtroom in L.A., a judge will decide whether actor Robert Blake may pay for his bodyguard's legal defense. Both men charged in the killing of Blake's wife, Bonny Lee Bakley in May of last year. Frank Buckley live in Los Angeles with more on the hearing that should come in about two hours' time, right, Frank? Hello, again.

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello again, Bill. That's right. Pretty busy day on tap here. Among the things on the agenda: Harland Braun, the defense attorney for Robert Blake, who plans to request a formal bail hearing within a couple of weeks, he tells me that it's unfair that bail is denied so far in this Blake case, that Blake continues to be held in a no-bail status. He wants to err the arguments on that in a formal bail hearing. So that will be requested during the hearing here today.

We do expect Robert Blake to be in the courtroom today. One of the first things that the court will resolve in today's hearing will be whether or not cameras will be allowed in this courtroom. The court also being asked to take on a couple of meaty (ph) motions by prosecutors. First, they want to remove the attorney for Earle Caldwell. He is the bodyguard and is expected to be a witness against Earle Caldwell -- that is the attorney will be a witness against Earle Caldwell to illustrate some inconsistencies in his statements. Also, they say, because she is being paid for by Robert Blake, that there is a clear conflict of interest there.

Prosecutors are also attempting to remove one of the private investigators being used by the defense team by Harland Braun. His name is William Jordan. Jordan is also a prosecution witness who will speak to Blake's anger about Bonny Lee Bakley. He was used in the past by Robert Blake in the custody issue regarding the baby Rose, and had been interviewed at least three times by police.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIAM JORDAN, BLAKE'S PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR: Sure, as an old detective, they were hoping he had said something to me about doing something bad to his wife or having something done, which he never even came close.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BUCKLEY: And with respect to Earle Caldwell, that is the bodyguard, he has filed a declaration in court papers in which he says he has discussed and reviewed the allegations that his attorney, Arna Zlotnick (ph), will be witness against him. But he believes Ms. Zlotnick (ph) serves his interest despite the source of her fees, that is Mr. Blake. And he thinks that the chances that prosecutors will actually be calling her as a witness against him are remote and contrived to deprive him of his counsel of choice.

Harland Braun, the defense attorney for Robert Blake, clearly intending to strongly object to these prosecution motions. He also told me this morning that Steven Jagman (ph) will making an appearance to argue against them. He's a fairly well-known attorney here in Los Angeles. He will be arguing against the prosecution motions as well -- Bill.

HEMMER: Let us know what happens, Frank. Thank you. Frank Buckley, again in L.A.

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