Robert Blake was found not guilty today.
A jury acquitted tough-guy actor Robert Blake of murder Wednesday in the shooting death of his wife four years ago, bringing a stunning end to a case that played out like pulp fiction.
The jury also acquitted Blake of one charge of trying to get someone to kill Bonny Lee Bakley, but deadlocked on a second solicitation charge. The jury voted 11-1 in favor of acquittal and the judge dismissed the count.
The 71-year-old star of the 1970s detective drama “Baretta” dropped his head, trembled with emotion and sobbed heavily as the verdict was read. He hugged his lawyer and later almost fell while reaching for a water bottle.
Whatever. The thrill in this case is gone, what with Wacko Jacko going full steam and everything. Besides, this soap opera went on too long anyway. I mean really, didn’t they get started like in 1999 or something. It just feels like it had dragged on for-ev-er. And if you think about it, what’s the big benefit for Blake anyway? He’s 71 years old! What, is he going to have an Academy Award winning career now or something? No, he won’t. My prediction? A tour of all the “programs” – 20/20, Dateline, Primetime Live, Oprah (if he’s lucky) and a wacky morning cooking segment with Regis and Kelly. He’ll shlep a book, which will sell a few copies, and then that’s it. He’ll die.