Blake Trial Indefinitely Postponed

The Robert Blake murder trial was postponed indefinitely Thursday after the judge agreed to remove the actor's attorney because of "irreconcilable differences."

Superior Court Judge Darlene Schempp did not reveal the nature of the dispute between Blake and Thomas Mesereau Jr. They both refused comment.

"This development today is as mind-boggling and surprising to us as it is to you," prosecution spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons. "We had no idea this was coming. ... It's like being punched in the stomach. It's like having the rug pulled out from under us. We're a little shell-shocked right now."

The announcement represents a major setback in the trial of the former star of 1970s television show "Baretta."

"Unless Blake discloses the reasons for this split we may never know for sure why it happened, but clearly the disagreement is something serious," CBS News Legal Analyst Andrew Cohen reports. "Judges absolutely hate to change course like this on the eve of trial, and this judge would never have busted up the case unless she was convinced it needed to be done."

Gibbons said preliminary jury selection that was done weeks ago must now be scrapped, and the new lawyer will have to digest reams of evidence in a short time.

"We're starting all over again," Gibbons said.

The trial had been scheduled to enter the final phase of jury selection on Feb. 17. Schempp set a hearing for Feb. 23, by which time she hoped Blake would have a new lawyer.

"It will take months for Blake's new lawyer, whomever that turns out to be, to get up to speed on the case so don't plan on seeing Blake's trial until late this year," says Cohen. "That sort of delay usually would help the defense, but I'm not sure that is the case here.

"I think Blake would have been much better off at trial this month with Thomas Mesereau than he will be with another lawyer later."

Mesereau is the third lawyer to leave Blake's defense. His original lawyer, Harland Braun, left in November 2002, followed by Jennifer Keller in January 2003.

Blake, 70, is charged with shooting his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, 44, to death as she sat in a car outside an Italian restaurant where the two had just eaten dinner.

Blake told authorities he left Bakley alone in the car to retrieve a gun he carried for protection and had accidentally left behind in the restaurant. He said he returned to find her mortally wounded.

The defense attorney announcement came after the judge spent nearly an hour in chambers with Blake and Mesereau. She then returned to the bench and said, "It appears to the court there are irreconcilable differences ... and I've agreed to relieve Mr. Mesereau. I understand the expense and the inconvenience. I'm sorry. I just did not have a choice."

Outside court, Blake wished Mesereau the best.

"I'm sure Mr. Mesereau will have a great life and a great career. I'm 70 years old. I've learned I have to go forward. ... I wish him all the very best," said Blake, who sang "Amazing Grace" as he walked to his car after the court session.