Police: Case Against Blake 'Compelling'

April 19 -- Los Angeles police say they have "significant and compelling" evidence that actor Robert Blake killed his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, who was shot twice as she sat alone in Blake's car almost a year ago.

Blake and his bodyguard Earle Caldwell were arrested Thursday in connection with the slaying. A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles District Attorney's office said a decision would be announced Monday on whether to charge Blake, and he could be charged that day.

Investigators said they have the murder weapon and it was Blake who pulled the trigger.

"The Bonny Lee Bakley case is solved," L.A. Police Chief Bernard Parks announced shortly after the arrest Thursday.

Blake's attorney insisted the actor was innocent.

"Robert has always said that he was not responsible for her killing," Harland Braun said Thursday evening. 'The real killer is still out there."

Suspects’ Homes Searched

Today, investigators searched the homes of Blake and Caldwell, removing boxes, a shotgun and two gun cases out of the bodyguard's apartment. Braun told reporters today that police offered Caldwell a chance to get out of jail if he cooperated in the case against Blake. Police denied making an offer to Caldwell.

The actor was taken in handcuffs from his sister's home in Hidden Hills at about 6 p.m. PT Thursday. Police said he will be charged with murder with special circumstances, and two counts of solicitation of murder, and could face the death penalty.

Police said Caldwell will be charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

"We believe the motive is that Robert Blake had contempt for Bonny Bakley," said Capt. Jim Tatreau. "He felt that he was trapped in a marriage he wanted no part of."

Neither Parks nor Tatreau would discuss the details of the case.

"It will unfold in court," said Tatreau.

Blake was transferred to the hospital ward of the L.A. County Jail. Officials said Blake was not sick but was moved there for his own protection. Blake was to have been placed in isolation and under 24-hour suicide watch at the jail, which is not unusual for people arrested in high-profile cases.