Judge Delays Hearing in Blake Case to Nov. 13

In a victory for the defense Tuesday, a Los Angeles County judge delayed until November a preliminary hearing for Robert Blake and his co-defendant, who are charged in the May 4, 2001, shooting death of the actor’s wife.

Judge Lloyd M. Nash ordered both sides to be ready to proceed with the preliminary hearing Nov. 13 in Van Nuys.

“I just want to make sure they are adequately prepared,” the judge said, as he denied the prosecution’s request that the case move forward within 10 days.

Nash said he wanted to give defense attorneys Harland W. Braun and Arna H. Zlotnik enough time to review the 42,000 pages of evidence that the prosecution has collected.

Because of the volume of evidence in capital murder cases, Nash said, a delay of as long as 18 months is not unusual. At the preliminary hearing, a judge determines whether adequate evidence exists to support the criminal allegations.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Gregory A. Dohi estimated that he and Deputy Dist. Atty. Patrick R. Dixon would need a week to present their case. Braun said outside court that he expects to take a few days to offer a defense.

The 68-year-old actor is charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Bonny Lee Bakley, 44, and two counts of soliciting murder with the special circumstance of lying in wait. He and Earle S. Caldwell, his handyman and bodyguard, are charged with conspiracy.

Blake has been held without bail at the Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles since his arrest April 18. Caldwell, 46, was freed after Blake posted his $1-million bail.

Nash lifted a ban on cameras and on Tuesday permitted the news media to capture their first images of Blake--whose hair is now short and gray--since he was arraigned in late April.

The judge made it clear that he did not intend to extend the same privileges to the media for the preliminary hearing, where witnesses will testify.

On another matter, Nash denied the prosecution’s motion to restrict the activities of William C. Jordan, an investigator for Blake and a potential prosecution witness. Prosecutors said Jordan had expressed his opinion that Blake was not guilty to a prosecution witness during an interview.

Meanwhile, the state Supreme Court has asked prosecutors to respond by Friday to Blake’s request for a bail hearing. Nash had denied such requests, saying he would consider the matter after the preliminary hearing, and Blake appealed.