Blake Plotted to Gain Custody of Child, Man Says
Fearing his infant daughter would fall into a life of drugs and prostitution if she were raised by her mother, actor Robert Blake plotted to gain custody of the child a year before the woman was killed, a private investigator testified Friday.
William Jordan, a former Los Angeles police officer, said he aided Blake in the 2000 plan by deceiving Bonny Lee Bakley, whom Blake later married and is now accused of killing in 2001.
“He didn’t think Bonny was a good mother for Rosie,” said Jordan, 78, referring to the infant. “It was constantly on his mind, I think.”
Jordan took the stand for two hours Friday in a videotaped “conditional examination” to be played for a jury if he is too ill to testify at Blake’s murder trial, scheduled to begin Nov. 1. Prosecutors say Jordan probably will be able to testify.
Blake, the 70-year-old who starred in the “Baretta” TV series, was charged on suspicion of killing Bakley on May, 4, 2001. He has pleaded not guilty.
Bakley, 44, was found shot to death in their car near a Studio City restaurant where they had just dined.
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