Actor Blake's handyman in clear

Robert Blake is out on bail

Robert Blake's handyman and bodyguard has been formally released from a charge of conspiring to murder the American actor's wife.

A judge had dismissed the charge against Earle Caldwell and prosecutors are not going to appeal the decision.

His $1m (£590,000) bail will be returned to Mr Blake, who put up the money for his friend.

Mr Blake is still facing charges of shooting his actress wife Bonny Lee Bakley in 2001. He denies murder.

Mr Caldwell had been charged with conspiring to murder Ms Bakley after prosecutors alleged a list found at his home with the words "duct tape" and "get blank gun ready" pointed to his involvement.

But his lawyers argued the document was typical of a handyman's "to-do" list.

Superior Court Judge Darlene Schempp said the evidence against him "carries very little weight", leaving the prosecution to ponder whether to appeal the decision.

'Hanging sword'

"We didn't feel it was a ruling that we could successfully appeal," deputy district attorney Shellie Samuels said.

But a conspiracy charge could always be refiled, added Ms Samuels.

Mr Caldwell's lawyer said this statement was a now "potential sword hanging over his head".

Mr Caldwell said he would now support Mr Blake as he contested the murder charge, but did not know yet whether he would be called as a witness at the trial.

Ms Bakley, 44, was killed in February 2001 outside a restaurant she had visited with Mr Blake, the star of TV series Baretta.

He was arrested over her death a year later.