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Blake Has One Week to Find Attorney

Posted on: Monday, 23 February 2004, 06:00 CST

A judge Monday gave actor Robert Blake another week to find a new lawyer after he and his third defense attorney parted ways because of "irreconcilable differences."

The murder defendant appeared in court without an attorney and gave Judge Darlene Schempp a list of lawyers he has interviewed.

Schempp warned Blake against seeking lawyers from outside California whose travel could create delays.

"I want this trial, once it gets started, to continue uninterrupted," the judge said. She set a new trial date of Sept. 9.

Blake is accused of murdering his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, in 2001. She was shot to death in their car outside a restaurant where they had dined.

The 70-year-old former "Baretta" star parted with attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. on Feb. 5, on what was supposed to be the eve of his trial. His first two attorneys resigned after Blake pursued media interviews against their advice.

Prosecutor Shellie Samuels accused Blake of switching lawyers to delay his trial.

"The longer it takes to get to trial, the longer he stays out of custody," Samuels said. "We believe this is a ploy to keep Mr. Blake out of custody."

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