Appeals Court Halves $30M Verdict Against Robert Blake
A California appeals court has cut in half a $30 million verdict against actor Robert Blake awarded to the estate of his murdered wife, Bonny Lee Bakley.
Blake was acquitted of the murder but found liable for the 2001 death in a civil suit. The appellate court said the award was excessive but found no reason to reverse the verdict, Reuters reports.
Blake had contended the award should be overturned because of juror misconduct, the Associated Press reports. His lawyer, M. Gerald Schwartzbach, had contended jurors improperly discussed the acquittals of both O.J. Simpson on murder charges and Michael Jackson on molestation charges. Schwartzbach had told the court one juror had argued the former Baretta star should be found liable to send a message to rich celebrities that they can’t escape justice.
Schwartzbach said he was considering an appeal to the California Supreme Court.
