Daughter at center of Robert Blake trial
VAN NUYS, Calif., Dec. 20 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles County prosecutor says actor Robert Blake's daughter Rosie is the center of their murder case against him, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Blake's trial in the death of his wife Bonny Lee Bakley three and one half years ago was getting underway Monday with opening statements before a jury that was picked a month ago.
Prosecutors have no evidence directly linking Blake to the murder of Bakley, but they believe Blake would do anything, even kill, for his 4-year-old daughter.
"Our motive -- which I think is clear as day -- is that he wanted the baby, and he didn't want" Bakley, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Shellie Samuels told the Los Angeles Times.
Since Bakley's death, Blake's defense lawyers have portrayed her as a star-struck con artist who ran a mail-order pornography business and swindled men she attracted through personal ads. At one point, the head of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections persuaded a judge to order Bakley to stop soliciting prisoners by mail. They said hundreds of those men had motive to kill her.
Videographer sues Michael Jackson
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- A California videographer, whose home was raided as part of a Michael Jackson child molestation probe, has sued Jackson for fraud and copyright infringement.
Hamid Moslehi claims in his suit, filed in a U.S. District Court last week in Los Angeles, Jackson owes him more than $100,000 for his work as Jackson's private photographer, TheSmokingGun Web site reported Monday.
Moslehi also said Jackson, along with co-defendant Marc Schaffel, owes him compensation for video footage used in two videos aired last year on Fox. He is seeking in excess of $1 million for the use of that footage.
Moslehi alleges he was not credited in the two productions, nor has he received any royalties for the use of the footage.
Indie producer sues Hollywood superstars
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- An independent film producer has filed suit in Los Angeles claiming actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire blocked the U.S. release of his movie.
Producer John Schindler claims the friends conspired to block the U.S. release of "Don's Plum," which also stars Jeremy Sisto, Amber Benson, Kevin Connolly and Marissa Ribisi, E! Online reported Monday.
The 1996 low-budget indie flick has only been released overseas, E! said.
Shindler's suit filed Friday claims DiCaprio and Maguire "put the word out that they were opposed to any distribution of "Don's Plum" once they became Hollywood stars.
A similar suit filed by another producer was settled by the two stars out of court, E! said. However, they have refused to deal with Shindler.
DiCaprio and Maguire have a suit pending against Shindler, claiming they never intended the film to be released commercially.
Theater withdraws Sikh play after protests
BIRMINGHAM, England, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- A British theater canceled performances of a controversial play Monday after violent protests by members of the Sikh community.
"Behzti" -- which translates as dishonor -- featured rape, sexual abuse and murder set in a Sikh temple. It was written by a young Sikh playwright and was performed by Sikh actors.
Sikh leaders said the play was disrespectful to their faith and would only be acceptable if the setting was changed to a community center.
Protests outside the theater turned violent Saturday and three police officers were injured. Theater management said some protesters went backstage and smashed equipment, doors and windows.
Stuart Rogers, executive director of the Birmingham Repertory Theater, announced due to the possibility of continued violence the play would be withdrawn.
He spoke after talks between theater management and Sikh leaders broke down without any agreement being reached.
"Sadly, community leaders have been unable to guarantee to us that there will be no repeat of the violent and illegal activities we witnessed on Saturday night," he said.
He expressed his regret for the withdrawal and maintained the theater "vigorously defends" its right to freedom of expression.
