Jurors who found Robert Blake “intentionally caused” the death of his wife in a civil trial last year have defended themselves against misconduct accusations from the actor.
In a motion filed in Los Angeles last week, the Baretta star’s defence team claimed one juror failed to disclose that her daughter was in prison for murder, while others disregarded instructions from the judge.
It is also alleged that the jury found Blake liable for the 2001 death of his wife Bonnie Lee Bakley in order to send a message to celebrities.
However, in statements submitted on Monday five jurors and two alternates argue there is no evidence of a concealed bias and they contend the trial was fair.
A Superior Court judge will hear arguments on Blake‘s motion for a new trial on Friday.
Bakley was found shot dead in the actor’s car in May 2001, outside a Studio City, California, restaurant where the pair had just dined. Blake was acquitted in a criminal court of her murder in 2005, but a civil case later that year found him liable.
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