Robert Blake says he didn't kill his wife. His defense says it's got a couple of ideas about who did.
In a pretrial hearing Tuesday in Los Angeles, the onetime Baretta star's attorney sought permission to introduce a witness who'll say Marlon Brando's eldest son conspired to do the deed, as well as introduce the theory that a small-time crook might have pulled the trigger.
Blake's camp went one for two. Superior Court Judge Darlene Schempp all but shot down the Brando gambit (for Christian Brando), ruling the proposed witness--the younger Brando's ex-girlfriend--had a "credibility issue," per courthouse reports.
Schempp said she'd mull whether the defense can argue Kevin London, convicted of robbing patrons outside the Los Angeles-area Italian restaurant where Bonnie Lee Bakley was gunned down in May 2001, should be considered a suspect.
The prosecution, meanwhile, remained focused on its suspect: Blake. The 70-year-old Emmy winner is the lone man charged with the Bakley shooting death.
In court, Blake attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. said Diane Mattson would testify she heard a phone conversation in which Christian Brando said he believed Bakley should be shot.
In 1991, Brando pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of his half-sister's boyfriend. Released from prison in 1996, he was romantically linked with Bakley. She reportedly told him he was the father of her baby girl born in June 2000. DNA tests later revealed the honor of paternity belonged to Blake.
As far as Los Angeles prosecutors are concerned, Christian Brando has nothing to do with the Bakley case. He's not even on their witness list.
Mesereau indicated Christian Brando currently was wanted for a probation violation in Washington state. "We don't know what he's talking about," L.A. County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said in response.
Gibbons said L.A. officials were unaware of any out-of-state troubles for Brando but were definite that in L.A., at least, he "doesn't even have a parking ticket here."
Judge Schempp's ruling means Mattson may go before a jury, but can't talk about the allegedly incriminating telephone conversation.
In another ruling Tuesday, Schempp allowed that the defense could quiz two key prosecution witnesses--stuntmen Ronald "Duffy" Hambleton and Gary McLarty--about whether drug use clouded their memories of conversations with Blake.
In last year's preliminary trial, Hambleton testified Blake told him he wanted Bakley "snuffed out." McLarty said Blake offered him $10,000 to "pop" the woman.
Another hearing is scheduled for Thursday. Jury selection is ongoing.
Blake, who made headlines, if not the charts, for a Monday courthouse serenade, has pleaded innocent to all charges.