Brando Takes the Fifth at Blake Trial

Christian Brando, who was once told by Bonny Lee Bakley that he was the father of her unborn child, evoked his Fifth Amendment rights more than two dozen times as he was questioned during the wrongful death civil case against actor Robert Blake.

Brando, the son of the late actor Marlon Brando, was on the witness stand for almost an hour with his attorney by his side continually objecting on the basis that Brando might incriminate himself in answering questions about his relationship with Blake's murdered wife.

Although Brando answered few questions, he did identify his voice on two taped telephone conversations that he had with Bakley. One of the conversations took place after Brando found out from the media that Blake was the father of Bakley's child.

"You're lucky somebody ain't out there putting a f***ing bullet in your head," he told Bakley.

Reasonable Doubt

Unlike in the criminal trial, in which Blake was found not guilty of killing Bakley, his defense attorneys in the civil trial are using Brando's relationship with Bakley to raise reasonable doubt. The criminal trial judge would not allow them to use that defense during the former "Baretta" star's criminal trial.

"At any point in time, did you pay Duffy Hambleton to kill Bonny Lee Bakley?" Blake's attorney asked Brando, referring to a stuntman who was an acquaintance of both Blake and Brando, who again took the fifth.

See Also:
Brando's Son Testifies in Blake Trial, But Says Little
Christian Brando Repeatedly Takes the Fifth in Blake Trial

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