Blake's Slain Wife Laid To Rest
Looking haggard and somber, actor Robert Blake spoke fondly of his slain wife during a brief funeral service Friday that drew more reporters than mourners and none of Bonny Lee Bakley's family.
The former "Baretta" star held the couple's daughter Rose Lenore Sophie Blake, who will turn 1 on June 2, on his lap during part of the service. His grown son and daughter from another marriage stood next to him.
At the graveside, Blake said in a near whisper: "It's because of Bonny that Rosie was born. It was her will, her conviction, not mine, her dedication that brought Rosie into this world, and for that I thank God and I thank Bonny. I stand here before God and I make this pledge that as long as he gives me breath I will do everything I can to make our daughter Rosie's life the best I can."
Blake was apparently referring to the fact that he had pressured Bakley not to have the child. He married Bakley after DNA tests proved the child was his.
Blake also thanked Bakley's family for allowing him to bury Bakley in California so their daughter could visit her mother's grave.
The service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, the final resting place for many Hollywood celebrities, occurred three weeks after Bakley was found shot to death in Blake's car outside a restaurant where the couple had just eaten. Blake has said he returned to the restaurant to retrieve a gun had mistakenly left there.
The 10-minute ceremony took place under a green canopy at the gravesite. Blake family members, lawyers and friends listened to prayers delivered by a Roman Catholic priest. There was no mention of the way Bakley died.
No one from Bakley's family attended the funeral service.
As the service took place, Blake's former sister-in-law, Margery Bakley, said in New York that she did not attend the funeral because she didn't want to associate with Blake. She accuses Blake of murdering her sister. She also criticized him for betraying the wishes of her family who wanted Bakley cremated.
"There's no love at the funeral," she said.
A small press pool was allowed at the gravesite. The public was not allowed to attend. No interviews were allowed and the family left in silence.
Police have made no arrests and have sealed all documents in the case.
Although Blake has not been ruled out as a suspect, his attorney, Harland Braun, has said that many people may have had a motive to kill Bakley. Braun has portrayed Bakley as a celebrity-obsessed swindler who preyed on lonely men for money.
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