Robert Blake not Guilty

bosshogg23 · 03-16-2005, 05:12 PM

I didnt follow the trial but my wife said several choice 4 letter words.

Big day for famous trials in California.

stevew · 03-16-2005, 05:12 PM

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A jury acquitted tough-guy actor Robert Blake of murder Wednesday in the shooting death of his wife four years ago, a stunning verdict in a case that played out like pulp fiction.

The jury also acquitted Blake of one charge of trying to get someone to kill his wife, but deadlocked on a second solicitation charge.

The 71-year-old star of the 1970s detective drama "Baretta" dropped his head, trembled with emotion, and let out several deep breaths after the verdict was read.

The jury of seven men and five women delivered the verdicts on its ninth day of deliberations, following a trial with a cast a characters that included two Hollywood stuntmen who said Blake tried to get them to bump off his wife.

Blake had faced life in prison; prosecutors did not seek the death penalty.

Blake was charged with shooting 44-year-old Bonny Lee Bakley to death in their car outside the actor's favorite Italian restaurant on May 4, 2001, less than six months after their marriage.

panerd · 03-16-2005, 05:14 PM

I apologize to any African-Americans I may have offended several years ago after the OJ verdict. It is now clear to me that all California jurors, black or white, are fucking morons.

Lathum · 03-16-2005, 05:16 PM

Wow, whats next. Michael Jackson will get a not guilty verdict? Can anyone properly proscecute a case in California?

EagleFan · 03-16-2005, 05:16 PM

wtf? It seems clear that color has something to do with justice in California. Green.

Maple Leafs · 03-16-2005, 05:22 PM

So for those of us who didn't follow the trial, what was the actual evidence against the guy? I remember reading that they had essentially no evidence (eye-witnesses, DNA, forensics, etc) that linked him to the crime. What made the case a slam-dunk?

rexallllsc · 03-16-2005, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

So for those of us who didn't follow the trial, what was the actual evidence against the guy? I remember reading that they had essentially no evidence (eye-witnesses, DNA, forensics, etc) that linked him to the crime. What made the case a slam-dunk?

Nothing. Think about it. Most THINK did it. But what are the instructions? "Beyond a reasonable doubt"

Would you lock someone up forever because you THINK they did something, but had virtually no evidence? That's a big burden.

Draft Dodger · 03-16-2005, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lathum

Wow, whats next. Michael Jackson will get a not guilty verdict? Can anyone properly proscecute a case in California?

seems like MJ is headed in the same direction.

Greyroofoo · 03-16-2005, 05:34 PM

Doesn't hurt that the MJ's accusser's mom is a frickin golddigger

Maple Leafs · 03-16-2005, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rexallllsc

Nothing. Think about it. Most THINK did it. But what are the instructions? "Beyond a reasonable doubt"

Yes, seems like there's a fairly large difference between "I think he did it but I'm not stunned by the verdict" and "I can't believe the jury didn't convict him given all the evidence".

I still think I'm firmly in the latter camp on the OJ trial, but I don't know nearly enough about Blake's case.

CAsterling · 03-16-2005, 06:03 PM

Amazing - a verdict from California that I actually agree with.....
As someone mentioned, maybe I think he did it, but from what was reported at the trial, there wasn't enough evidence for 'beyond a reasonable doubt'

sabotai · 03-16-2005, 06:19 PM

I think he did it, but as it's been stated, there was scant evidence against him.

Question: They only charged him for 1st Degree Murder. He was found not guilty on that charge, but is the state still able to charge him for 2nd Degree Murder or is all murder-like offense now off limits?

judicial clerk · 03-16-2005, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Question: They only charged him for 1st Degree Murder. He was found not guilty on that charge, but is the state still able to charge him for 2nd Degree Murder or is all murder-like offense now off limits?

I think that this was the states one chance regarding this crime. I think that the state can choose to put him on trial for just the first degree murder or first degree murder and the lesser included offenses (murder 2, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide) If the lesser included offenses are included in the charge, then the jury can pick among those crimes to convict on. It is a strategy call for the DA.

stevew · 03-16-2005, 06:39 PM

They messed up with not throwing in the "aiding and abbeting" charge(sp). The one that says that while you did not necessarily do it personally, you may know who did it, and may have even helped them out.

Ksyrup · 03-16-2005, 06:52 PM

I knew he was goingto get off when they announced the hung jury on the lesser charge. Either way it went, that meant acquittal.

The evidence they had wasn't that great, and the 2 guys he supposedly attempted to pay to kill her were scumbags who were obviously disregarded by the jury. However, his motive was extremely strong. Plus, they had no other legit suspects (not that that's necessary for the defense to demonstrate, but it helps). Still, none of that overcame the lack of physical evidence, I guess.

I expect MJ and Phil Spector to be free men by the end of 2005.

CraigSca · 03-16-2005, 07:25 PM

I think the turning point is when the prosecution made him try on the gloves and they didn't fit.

rkmsuf · 03-17-2005, 08:21 AM

That guy is a fruitcake.

rexallllsc · 03-17-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

That guy is a fruitcake.

He certainly is "out there"

Desnudo · 03-17-2005, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

The evidence they had wasn't that great, and the 2 guys he supposedly attempted to pay to kill her were scumbags who were obviously disregarded by the jury.

I haven't watched any of the trial, but how often do non-scumbags accept murder for hire payments?

HomerJSimpson · 03-17-2005, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desnudo

I haven't watched any of the trial, but how often do non-scumbags accept murder for hire payments?

Only a couple of times, but I'd never take one from Barretta. I'm afraid of birds.

03-16-2005, 05:22 PM	#7
Maple Leafs Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002	So for those of us who didn't follow the trial, what was the actual evidence against the guy? I remember reading that they had essentially no evidence (eye-witnesses, DNA, forensics, etc) that linked him to the crime. What made the case a slam-dunk? __________________ Down Goes Brown: Toronto Maple Leafs Humor and Analysis

03-16-2005, 06:03 PM	#12
CAsterling High School JV Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Herndon, Va	Amazing - a verdict from California that I actually agree with..... As someone mentioned, maybe I think he did it, but from what was reported at the trial, there wasn't enough evidence for 'beyond a reasonable doubt' __________________ The funniest comedy duo I have ever seen - www.magaga.com/

03-16-2005, 06:19 PM	#13
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	I think he did it, but as it's been stated, there was scant evidence against him. Question: They only charged him for 1st Degree Murder. He was found not guilty on that charge, but is the state still able to charge him for 2nd Degree Murder or is all murder-like offense now off limits? Last edited by sabotai : 03-16-2005 at 06:19 PM.

03-16-2005, 06:52 PM	#16
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	I knew he was goingto get off when they announced the hung jury on the lesser charge. Either way it went, that meant acquittal. The evidence they had wasn't that great, and the 2 guys he supposedly attempted to pay to kill her were scumbags who were obviously disregarded by the jury. However, his motive was extremely strong. Plus, they had no other legit suspects (not that that's necessary for the defense to demonstrate, but it helps). Still, none of that overcame the lack of physical evidence, I guess. I expect MJ and Phil Spector to be free men by the end of 2005. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

03-16-2005, 07:25 PM	#17
CraigSca Pro Starter Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Not Delaware - hurray!	I think the turning point is when the prosecution made him try on the gloves and they didn't fit. __________________ She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! She loves you, yeah! how do you know? how do you know?

03-16-2005, 05:12 PM	#2
bosshogg23 College Benchwarmer Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Philly	I didnt follow the trial but my wife said several choice 4 letter words. Big day for famous trials in California.

03-16-2005, 05:12 PM	#3
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	LOS ANGELES (AP) - A jury acquitted tough-guy actor Robert Blake of murder Wednesday in the shooting death of his wife four years ago, a stunning verdict in a case that played out like pulp fiction. The jury also acquitted Blake of one charge of trying to get someone to kill his wife, but deadlocked on a second solicitation charge. The 71-year-old star of the 1970s detective drama "Baretta" dropped his head, trembled with emotion, and let out several deep breaths after the verdict was read. The jury of seven men and five women delivered the verdicts on its ninth day of deliberations, following a trial with a cast a characters that included two Hollywood stuntmen who said Blake tried to get them to bump off his wife. Blake had faced life in prison; prosecutors did not seek the death penalty. Blake was charged with shooting 44-year-old Bonny Lee Bakley to death in their car outside the actor's favorite Italian restaurant on May 4, 2001, less than six months after their marriage.

03-16-2005, 05:14 PM	#4
panerd Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: St. Louis	I apologize to any African-Americans I may have offended several years ago after the OJ verdict. It is now clear to me that all California jurors, black or white, are fucking morons.

03-16-2005, 05:16 PM	#5
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	Wow, whats next. Michael Jackson will get a not guilty verdict? Can anyone properly proscecute a case in California?

03-16-2005, 05:16 PM	#6
EagleFan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Mays Landing, NJ USA	wtf? It seems clear that color has something to do with justice in California. Green.

03-16-2005, 05:34 PM	#10
Greyroofoo Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alabama	Doesn't hurt that the MJ's accusser's mom is a frickin golddigger

03-16-2005, 06:39 PM	#15
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	They messed up with not throwing in the "aiding and abbeting" charge(sp). The one that says that while you did not necessarily do it personally, you may know who did it, and may have even helped them out.

03-17-2005, 08:21 AM	#18
rkmsuf Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2001	That guy is a fruitcake. __________________ "Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales

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