Robert Blake, actor who was once tried for murder, dies at 89

Actor Robert Blake, whose agelong vocation was overshadowed by accusations that helium murdered his wife, has died. He was 89.

He was known for roles successful TV bid Baretta and the movie Lost Highway but his vocation struggled pursuing his wife's 2001 shooting death.

He was charged successful her execution and acquitted, but was aboriginal recovered liable for her decease successful civilian court.

He died "peacefully with household and friends" his household said successful a connection connected Thursday.

A connection released by his niece, Noreen Austin, said helium died from bosom disease.

As a child, the autochthonal of New Jersey got his commencement by appearing successful the Our Gang drama series.

He besides acted successful classical movie The Treasure of the Sierra Madre and the 1967 adaptation of Truman Capote's caller In Cold Blood.

Once considered among the top actors of his generation, his vocation ne'er recovered aft his arrest.

Mr Blake's woman was unsocial successful the actor's car successful the Studio City neighbourhood of Los Angeles erstwhile she was shot.

The histrion had told constabulary helium had near her unsocial to instrumentality to the edifice wherever they had conscionable dined to retrieve a weapon helium had near behind, and recovered her dead.

Four years aft her death, including a twelvemonth of Mr Blake awaiting proceedings successful jail, a assemblage successful LA recovered him not blameworthy of her murder.

Many comparisons were made astatine the clip to the proceedings of personage OJ Simpson, who had been acquitted for murdering his ex-wife successful Los Angeles 10 years earlier.

Mr Blake had ever maintained his innocence.