Third Blake Defense Attorney Out, Murder Case on Hold
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Robert Blake's defense attorney - his third so far - has been dismissed from the actor's murder case. That should delay the trial in California, but it is unclear for how long. More details now from CNN's Charles Feldman.</s>CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For Robert Blake, it is one, two, three strikes and they are out. For the third time, Blake has parted company with his defense attorney. After an in-chambers discussion that the press and prosecutors alike were excluded from, the judge made a stunning announcement.</s>JUDGE DARLENE SCHEMPP, L.A. CO. SUPERIOR COURT: There are irreconcilable differences in their relationship and I have agreed to relieve Mr. Mesereau.</s>FELDMAN: Blake's most recent and now ex-lawyer would not comment on or off the record, and the former star of TV's "Baretta" publicly thanked his departing counsel for helping him and the daughter he had with the wife he is accused of killing.</s>ROBERT BLAKE, DEFENDANT: I am deeply, deeply grateful to him for saving my life, and more importantly, I am deeply grateful to him for saving Rosie's life.</s>FELDMAN: The prosecution was clearly suckerpunched by what has happened.</s>SANDI GIBBONS, DISTRICT ATTY. SPOKESWOMAN: It's like being punched in the stomach. It's - it's a real shock to us, and we don't know the reasons. This is a - this is - was discussed privately with the judge. And there's really nothing we can do about it.</s>FELDMAN (on camera): The judge was hoping Blake will hire a new lawyer by the end of this month. But even if he does, this case is so complex it is not likely the trial will begin now at least for several more months. Charles Feldman, CNN, Los Angles.