Prosecution to Rest Case Against Robert Blake

After five weeks and 62 witnesses, the prosecution plans to rest in the murder trial of Robert Blake today, with the major portion of its case against the actor coming down to the testimony of three key witnesses -- all of whom have credibility issues.

The most damaging testimony against Blake in his trial for the murder of his wife Bonny Lee Bakley, came from two retired stuntmen, who have had problems with drugs and the law, and a former loan shark-turned-minister -- all of whom said Blake tried to get them to kill Bakley.

Frank Minucci, the former loan shark, told the jury that Blake offered him a "blank check" to "do something heavy," he also admitted that Blake never directly asked him to kill Bakley.

Former "Baretta" stuntman Gary McLarty, who admitted to cocaine use, paranoid delusions and hospitalizations for mental disorders, testified that Blake offered him $10,000 but only "insinuated" that he wanted Bakley killed.

Another former stuntman, Ronald (Duffy) Hambleton, a former methamphetamine addict, told the jury that Blake scouted possible locations for the murder of Bakley, including outside the restaurant where she was later shot. Hambleton admitted to many inconsistencies in his story during cross-examination, but stuck to his basic story.

See Also:
Prosecutors to Rest Murder Case Against Actor Blake
Three Witnesses Hold Key in Blake Case

Background:
The Robert Blake Case
Profile of Robert Blake
Profile of Bonny Lee Bakley