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American Morning

LAPD: Blake Case Required More Travel Than Any Other

Aired April 19, 2002 - 08:02   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Up front this morning, though, actor Robert Blake is under arrest in Los Angeles in connection with the murder last year of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley. Police say they have evidence that Blake shot his wife in the head last May as she sat in their car near a North Hollywood restaurant.

We are now joined by CNN's Thelma Gutierrez who has more on the case from Los Angeles -- good morning, Thelma.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.

Actor Robert Blake was booked here at Parker Center, which is the LAPD headquarters. About two hours ago, he was transferred to the men's central jail. And we just learned that he has been hospitalized in a ward there at the jail. No word yet as to his condition, but you might recall that shortly after the murder of Bonny Lee Bakley last year, he was hospitalized after suffering from high blood pressure.

Now, yesterday evening the actor was arrested in his, the Hidden Hills home that he shares with his two daughters. Police say that when they arrived at the home, Blake opened the door and he surrendered. They say that he was passive and friendly and familiar with detectives. He was led away in handcuffs and taken to Parker Center, where he was processed last night.

Chief Bernard Parks says no other case in the history of the Los Angeles Police Department has required such extensive travel. Detectives covered 20 states and talked with more than 150 witnesses. They say they have significant circumstantial and physical evidence against the actor.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF BERNARD PARKS, LOS ANGELES POLICE: Our detectives will present this case against Blake to the L.A. County District Attorney's office on Monday. It's anticipated that Blake will face one count of murder with special circumstances and two counts of solicitation of murder. Detectives have also arrested 46-year-old Earle Caldwell for conspiracy to commit murder of Ms. Bakley.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUTIERREZ: Yesterday evening, Robert Blake's bodyguard, Earle Caldwell, was also arrested. He was picked up by police after leaving the actor's home. Caldwell was arrested for conspiracy to commit murder. Police would not elaborate, but they say Caldwell was not in town the night of the murder.

Robert Blake's attorney, Harland Braun, held a news conference right after the LAPD's arrest announcement.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HARLAND BRAUN, ROBERT BLAKE'S ATTORNEY: Robert has always said that he was not responsible for her killing and we have gathered our case and what I've told him, I have to totally look at their case, which is extensive, apparently. It's 35,000 pages. We'll look at that case and analyze it and then we'll try the case. And Robert says you know what? I've been through a lot before, I'm going to come through this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUTIERREZ: Robert Blake is expected to be arraigned at a courthouse in Van Nuys on Monday. Again, he has been hospitalized in the hospital ward of the men's central jail. No word yet as to his condition -- Paula, back to you.

ZAHN: It's striking to me, Thelma, that everybody in the media seemed to be aware this was going to happen, late yesterday afternoon and yet Harland Braun, Mr. Blake's attorney, said he was surprised by this arrest. How can that be?

GUTIERREZ: Yes, that's, well, that's a good question. He said that he was surprised. But, you're right, in fact, CNN had learned two days ago that this arrest was pending. But Harland did say yesterday that he was surprised. He said the heard at the last minute that his client was about to be arrested and so then he headed down here to Parker Center, where he was later met with the, or met by the actor.

ZAHN: All right, Thelma Gutierrez, thanks for that report. I know you never even made it to bed since the story broke last night. Thank you for the live update.

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