Prosecutors Question Blake’s Alibi

Prosecutors chipped away at actor Robert Blake’s alibi Thursday, producing witnesses who undercut his claim to have been in a restaurant when his wife was shot to death two blocks away.

The testimony came in Blake’s trial in Van Nuys in the slaying of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, near Vitello’s restaurant in Studio City on May 4, 2001. Prosecutors contend Blake killed Bakley to gain custody of their infant daughter, Rosie.

The trial, which began Dec. 20, focused on the fatal 17-minute span the night of the slaying.

Police say the two ate at the restaurant and paid by credit card in a transaction recorded at 9:23 p.m. They walked to his car, where police theorize Blake fatally shot Bakley. A neighbor reported the shooting by calling 911 at 9:40 p.m.

Blake, 71, says he and his wife returned to the car, but that he left Bakley there alive. He says he returned to the restaurant to retrieve a handgun he had forgotten in the booth where they had dined. When he returned, he found her mortally wounded, the defense says.

No witnesses have supported Blake’s alibi, and a dozen have testified they did not see him when he said he was in the restaurant.

A couple testified Thursday that shortly after 9:30 the night of the slaying, they saw Blake walking toward the car where his wife was found shot. Blake passed them, moving in what they called a “quick stride” toward the vehicle.

Others have told the seven-man, five-woman jury that they saw Blake return to the restaurant to summon help only after the 911 call was recorded.

It was his duty to inform Blake that his wife had died, Los Angeles Police Det. Mike Coffey testified.

“I told Mr. Blake his wife had not made it. She had expired,” Coffey said. “He backed himself up in his chair and let out a boisterous cry.” Coffey demonstrated Blake’s actions by putting both hands to his head.

But like other witnesses who have described Blake’s demeanor, the veteran homicide detective, who has more than 30 years on the job, said Blake shed no tears.

Coffey said the actor’s reaction “didn’t look sincere.”