Robert Blake's $30M Wrongful Death Judgment Cut

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LOS ANGELES (AP) _ An appeals court upheld a verdict finding Robert Blake liable for his wife's 2001 death but cut the $30 million jury award in half.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected the actor's argument of juror misconduct, including complaints that they discussed the O.J. Simpson and Michael Jackson acquittal cases while considering the amount of damages. The court said the argument intruded on the jurors' method of reaching a verdict.

The jury's "references to O.J. Simpson and Michael Jackson as celebrities who purportedly had gotten away with murder or molestation, supporting the need to 'send a message' ... reflected the jurors' mental processes in that regard," the panel said.

A criminal court jury acquitted Blake of murder in 2005. Bonny Lee Bakley's family pursued a wrongful-death lawsuit and Blake was found liable for his wife's death in November 2005.

Bakley was sitting in Blake's car in May 2001 when she was shot outside a restaurant where the two had just dined. The "Baretta" actor told police he left her alone to return to the restaurant to retrieve a gun he carried for protection and accidentally left behind.

Blake attorney M. Gerald Schwartzbach said that while some believe celebrities are treated differently in the courts, the ruling shows that sometimes they are treated more harshly.

"There are a lot of folks who can't accept that he was acquitted of murder," Schwartzbach said. "They think he got away with murder and they want to exact a price in civil court."

Although the court filed its ruling as an unpublished opinion, meaning it cannot be cited as legal precedent, Schwartzbach said he would consider an appeal to the California Supreme Court.

Eric Dubin, the attorney for the Bakley family, said he was pleased with the ruling and believes the $15 million award, with interest, will come to about $24 million. He said he thinks he can collect, although Blake has declared bankruptcy.

"I see every reason to accept it and be happy about it," Dubin said. "We are going to start collecting."

Schwartzbach said he knows of no Blake assets that would satisfy such a judgment.

"I don't believe Mr. Dubin in good faith can believe what he's saying," Schwartzbach said. "If Robert had money he would be paying me."

Comments

[MadMoll]

Welcome to DOUBLE JEOPARDY....

don't like a verdict? Sue them.

[cruisepuppy7452a]

I hope Bob fights this. While its sad his wife died, there is no proof he did it, was aquitted of it, and to fine him after ruining his life and career, is just BS. Those who know him, have spoken out and said he never touched her. The fact the family went after him for his money is proof, if anyone had any reason to collect it was they on an insurance policy. Hello. They knew he was married to her, had money, fame, and went after it. If this wasn't a farce what is? This family was a pack of grifters. Bob was thier victim. They beolong in jail for fraud.

[CC1]

It seems Bonnie is her family in this case. Cheating, conniving, manipulative thieves. Her being dead is no big loss to anyone.

[annawing]

That's cruel to say. There is a little girl who lost her mother.

[SweetAngie]

This guy made some pact with the devil, didn't he?

I'm not religeous, but I know a good deal when I see one. . . this deal goes as far south as it gets.

[luckyoldson]

Get real.

Blake killed her.

[LiberalBuzz]

Even in death Bonnie is after the money. Her family is no different that she was. Bonnie had no real future income that they were deprived of and this 15 or 24 million is an affront to justice. I would have dropped it to a couple of hundred bucks.

While I agree that no one will ever know for sure, I personally have no doubt Bonnie was killed in all probability by one of the many, many men she routinely bilked out of money in all of her lonely hearts ads.

I have no doubt O.J. did it either and he has gotten away with murder by moving to Florida, my advice would be for Blake to do the same. Except in his case I think it is the prudent thing to do to keep Bonnie's greedy family from ever getting dime.

[rcampbell]

I don't know for sure that Blake killed his wife (nor does anyone else on earth but Blake), but a jury of his peers found him innocent. This multi-million dollar civil action stuff is bullshit. I don't know that OJ killed his wife either (nor does anyone but him), admittedly Blake's case was a tad stronger, but a jury also acquitted him. Now, like it or not, the not guiltly verdicts mean the defendant is not guilty, not responsible and not liable and to my mind should not be harrassed with civil actions attempting to circumvent, marginalize and minimalize our judicial system..

[tkondaks]

Sounds to me, rcampbell, that you would also disagree with the Feds going after the Rodney King cops after they were initially found not guilty by a jury but were then brought up on federal violation of civil rights charges.
Am I correct?

[Semaj51]

Totally agree.

[rini]

In a perfect world, we wouldn't need the civil suits. Unfortunately, corruption and obviously biased verdicts are common. At least the civil suit gives the victims' families some sort of compensation. It's not like they are going on a criminal trial again and could be put away. Of course, in the cases discussed, my honest opinion is that they are guilty. Most people, if there were a poll, would agree. if there is no case at all, they wouldn't win the civil suit.