Stolen Computer May Delay Blake Trial, Lawyer Says

A lawyer monitoring the investigation into the theft of a computer containing key records of actor Robert Blake’s defense said Friday the murder trial may have to be delayed.

James Blatt, the special master appointed to monitor the Los Angeles police investigation into the theft of a key computer from the Sherman Oaks home of defense attorney M. Gerald Schwartzbach on Wednesday night, raised questions about whether the trial could start Monday as scheduled.

“What’s there can be reconstructed, but it’s not clear how much time it’s going to take to do that,” Blatt said.

“Every case is dependent on its own facts, but there are times when both sides have a legitimate right to ask for a continuance because of unforeseen events,” Blatt said. “And that may be the case here.”

Schwartzbach would not elaborate Friday on the potential effect of the loss of materials concerning his case. Among the materials lost were reports, trial strategies and analyses, officials familiar with the case said.

Blake faces life in prison if convicted in the 2001 killing of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, as she sat alone in his parked car near a Studio City restaurant where the couple had dined.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Darlene E. Schempp delayed a pretrial hearing to allow Schwartzbach to inventory missing materials and report back Monday. That is the same day the judge told jurors to report for the start of trial.

Schwartzbach declined to say how much information was missing or whether he had backed up his files. But he said he was determined to put on a vigorous defense, even without the computer.

Authorities say no suspects have been identified in the break-in.