Blake Case: One for the Ages

Mon., Apr. 26, 2004 5:30 PM PDT by Joal Ryan

The Robert Blake murder trial arguably isn't the sexiest case on the Hollywood docket. But it is the oldest.

In a Los Angeles courtroom Monday, prosecutors argued they should be allowed to interview a septuagenarian ex-Blake P.I. as soon as possible because something like, but not limited to, death, might happen to the gumshoe.

Demonstrating great faith in the outer reaches of human endurance, the judge rejected the request.

Per reports on the closed-court session, Superior Court Judge Darlene Schempp ruled that since the Blake trial is coming up relatively soon prosecutors must wait to quiz the private eye.

Blake's trial for the May 2001 shooting death of wife Bonny Lee Bakley is set to begin Sept. 9, or nine days before the gray-haired defendant's 71st birthday.

The ex-Baretta star is a relative youngster compared to former police officer William Jordan. Jordan, once hired by Blake to dig up dirt on Bakley, is 77.

Prime CBS viewer or no, the investigator is seemingly spry. He recently told Los Angeles TV station KCAL 9 that while on Blake's dime he'd found "literally hundreds and hundreds" of men who'd been scammed by Bakley. Blake was to use the info to help him in a custody battle with Bakley over the couple's then-infant daughter.

According to City News Service, Jordan said he didn't believe Blake was responsible for Bakley's death.

On Monday, Blake's attorney called Jordan an "important witness."

"I think he's a witness who will help the defense by simply telling the truth. And the prosecution knew that," Gerald Schwartzbach told CNS.

Schwartzbach joined Blake's defense team in March--the Emmy winner's fourth attorney since his April 2002 arrest. He followed Thomas Mesereau Jr., the Emmy winner's third attorney, who resigned in February due to "irreconcilable differences" with his client. On Sunday, Mesereau was announced as Michael Jackson's new attorney in the pop star's child-molestation case.

In addition to Jordan, key witnesses in the Blake case include a trio of grizzled stuntmen who allege the onetime TV star sought them out to "whack," "pop" and "snuff" Bakley.

Blake is accused of pulling the trigger himself as Bakley sat alone in his car outside his favorite Italian restaurant in Studio City, California.

Free to hole himself up in a beachfront condo while awaiting trial, Blake has pleaded innocent to all charges. When the mood strikes him, and a guitar is handy, he has been known to serenade the courthouse crowd. His repertoire: Oldies, of course.