Black is accused of murdering his wife, 44-year-old Bonny Lee Buckley, outside a restaurant in suburban Los Angeles in May 2006. Although he has always maintained his innocence, if convicted, he faces a final prison sentence.
During the preliminary hearing of the case, Blake's lawyer pointed out that the deceased Buckley had an affair with Crites Brando. Brando was furious when he learned that Buckley's child (now three years old and being raised by Blake's other daughter) was not his own.
Black's lawyers are still trying to get the judge to allow a witness named Diane Madsen to take the stand. The witness said he overheard Cricket Brando talking on the phone with an acquaintance named Duffy. That's when Brando really said it was time to find someone to finish off Buckley. "Daffy" is a Hollywood stuntman. He and another stuntman testified that Black asked them to help him get rid of Buckley.
Black's lawyer says his client was framed by Brando. Brando had a criminal record. He shot his sister's boyfriend and went to jail for 10 years.
However, Judge Darlene Schempp of the Van Nuys court did not approve Blake's request on the grounds that the court could not accept Diane Madsen. He also said that regarding the new evidence he pointed out, Black's lawyer could question the relevant person in court - "Duffy". Darlene Schempp also said she would hold a separate hearing to determine whether the new suspect's theory holds water.
Los Angeles prosecutor Shelly Samuels declined to name Kerikens-Brando as a suspect because of his alibi, saying "he had no motive to kill." The child turned out not to be his, and he was certainly happy to be out of trouble." (