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CNN Live Saturday

Blake Puts Up $1 Million Bail for Former Bodyguard

Aired April 27, 2002 - 12:44   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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The plot thickens in the Hollywood murder mystery. Actor Robert Blake is being held without bail, but he has reportedly put up $1 million so his bodyguard can go free. Earle Caldwell is charged with conspiring with Blake to kill Bonny Lee Bakley. And CNN's Charles Feldman reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Robert Blake has put up $1 million of his own money to bail out his former bodyguard who stands accused of entering into a conspiracy with the actor to murder Blake's wife. Earle Caldwell is now a free man, awaiting a trial. Normally only 10 percent of the amount of bail set needs to be put up. But Blake's attorney says Blake opted for the full million to avoid paying a hefty bondsman's fee.

Blake allegedly spent months, along with Caldwell, planning Bonny Lee Bakley's killing. Prosecutors charged Blake tried twice to hire some Hollywood stuntmen buddies to kill his wife, but ended up doing the job himself. Both Blake and Caldwell have pleaded not guilty, and in an interview just days after the killing, Caldwell said police suspicion of Blake was misplaced.

EARLE CALDWELL, BLAKE'S BODYGUARD: They're out of their minds. It's just not possible. He doesn't have it in him to be that kind of person, the kind of person that would do that.

FELDMAN (on camera): Now that prosecutors have decided not to seek the death penalty against Robert Blake, his attorney says he is optimistic that his client will also be eligible for bail next week.

Charles Feldman, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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