Blake Wrongful Death Judgment Cut In Half
LOS ANGELES — An appeals court has affirmed a jury’s decision holding actor Robert Blake liable for the death of wife Bonny Lee Bakley but has ordered that the $30 million damage award to Bakley’s family be reduced.
The 2nd District Court of Appeal on Friday ordered the award cut in half to $15 million.
Bakley was sitting in Blake’s car in May 2001 when she was shot outside a restaurant where the two had just dined. The actor told police he left her alone to return to the restaurant to retrieve a gun he carried for protection and accidentally left behind.
A criminal court jury acquitted Blake of murder in 2005, but Bakley’s survivors pursued a wrongful-death lawsuit and in November 2005 Blake was found civilly liable for his wife’s death.
The jury awarded $30 million in damages.
The attorney for the Bakley family said that he’s happy with the ruling and thinks the $15 million award, with interest, will come to about $24 million.
He said that he thinks he can get the money even though Blake has declared bankruptcy. But, Blake’s lawyer said, “If Robert had money he would be paying me.”