Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Saturday Morning News

Police Move Forward With Case Against Robert Blake

Aired April 20, 2002 - 09:13   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In Los Angeles, police are moving forward with their case against actor Robert Blake. Investigators searched Blake's home last night for more evidence in the killing of his wife. CNN's Frank Buckley brings us up to date on where the investigation stands 11 months later.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): LAPD detectives executed search warrants at Robert Blake's home, and at Earle Caldwell's residence. Caldwell, a handyman/bodyguard of Blake's who is being held on a murder/conspiracy charge.

COMMANDER GARY BRENNAN, LAPD: During these searches, additional evidence was recovered, including papers, computers and weapons.

BUCKLEY: Police also searched one additional undisclosed location, identified by Blake's attorney, Harland Braun, as a Blake friend's home in the Southern California desert.

HARLAND BRAUN, BLAKE'S ATTORNEY: What I find ironic is you arrest someone, and then you do the investigation.

BUCKLEY: Braun says he was surprised investigators didn't ask to re-interview Blake before he was arrested.

BRAUN: If I had been the investigator on this case, what do you have to lose by interviewing the suspect? Either he's going bury himself or he's going to exonerate himself. And either way, you'd want to find out.

CAPTAIN JAMES TATREAU, LAPD: We had a statement from Robert Blake the night of the occurrence, somewhat lengthy statement. We didn't feel that it was necessary to talk to Robert Blake again.

BUCKLEY: Blake is in custody in a segregated area of the county jail, known as the 7,000 floor, which once housed O.J. Simpson. The former hospital ward area is removed from the general population, and is reserved, say sheriff's department officials, for high-profile inmates for their protection. Blake is in a cell that was once occupied by actor Robert Downey Jr.

Braun says Blake is in good spirits, but expressed concern about the fate of his nearly 2-year-old daughter Rose. BRAUN: His main focus is his own children. He really is concerned that the Bakley family will gain custody of Rosie, and he considers that to be a reprehensible, immoral environment.

MARGERRY BAKLEY, BONNY LEE BAKLEY'S SISTER: The last thing I want to do is upset that child. I have no intentions of suing for custody at this time. I just would like to know that she is happy, she is safe, and that Delinah loves her and wants her. You know, I don't want her to be a burden to anybody.

BUCKLEY: Bakley's sister also told me that she hopes prosecutors will not seek the death penalty.

BAKLEY: I hope for a speedy trial. I hope for a successful prosecution. And I do not wish the death penalty on Mr. Blake. And if it comes to that, I will fight for his life to not receive the death penalty.

BUCKLEY (on camera): On Monday, police will formally present their case to the district attorney's office. Later that day, Robert Blake is expected to appear in court for his arraignment on murder charges.

Frank Buckley, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com