Preliminary Hearing for Blake Postponed

A Los Angeles County judge delayed a preliminary hearing for Robert Blake until Feb. 26, giving the actor’s new attorneys more time to prepare to defend their client against charges that he killed his wife.

Superior Court Judge Lloyd M. Nash rejected criminal defense attorney Jennifer L. Keller’s plea to begin the hearing a month later.

“I am concerned about Mr. Blake sitting in jail,” the judge said. “In good conscience, I cannot allow that.”

Keller and Thomas A. Mesereau Jr. were retained by Blake last week to replace Harland W. Braun, who had represented the actor since his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, was shot to death May 4, 2001, in Studio City.

Blake, 69, has been held without bail since his April 19 arrest. He pleaded not guilty to murder, two counts of soliciting murder and conspiracy, and denied an allegation that he ambushed Bakley, who was 44. He faces life in prison without parole.

Nash had said he would consider setting bail for Blake after hearing the evidence at the preliminary hearing, until recently set for Wednesday in Van Nuys.

Outside court, Blake’s entertainment attorney, Barry Felsen, said his client is doing as well as can be expected. “You can see that he is deteriorating,” Felsen said. “Jail is not a health spa.... He can’t lift weights or jog.... He is thinning out.”

Nash also ordered Blake to be transported to County-USC Medical Center for unspecified dental treatment.

Earlier, in a Burbank courtroom, Superior Court Judge David M. Schacter ordered Blake to appear for a deposition in the wrongful death suit filed against him by Bakley’s four children.

Schacter said Blake must appear, even if he plans to evoke his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination and not answer any questions.

The judge also ordered the parties to set firm dates to depose Blake and Bakley’s two adult children, Paul and Holly Gawron of Memphis, Tenn., and return to court Friday for his approval.