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Charge Against Blake's Handyman Dismissed

Posted on: Friday, 31 October 2003, 06:00 CST

The judge in Robert Blake's murder case on Friday dismissed the lone conspiracy charge against the actor's handyman Earle Caldwell, saying there was nothing more than speculative evidence against him.

"I cannot find a strong suspicion," Superior Court Judge Darlene Schempp said. "I think the evidence here is so speculative it carries very little weight. I simply don't find there is probable cause."

Caldwell, seated in the courtroom, smiled as the decision was announced.

His lawyer, Dana Cole, argued there was nothing suspicious about Caldwell's actions prior to the killing of Bonny Lee Bakley.

Blake, 69, star of the old "Baretta" TV show, is awaiting trial on charges of murdering Bonny Lee Bakley, whom he married after tests showed he was the father of her daughter.

The judge, however, did allow the murder charge to stand against Blake, who was ordered to trial on Feb. 9.

Outside the courthouse as the hearing was under way, a person was shot and the courthouse was locked down. It was unclear whether the shooting was related to the case.

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