Actor Blake files for bankruptcy

Robert Blake has always denied being behind the killing

US TV actor Robert Blake has filed for bankruptcy two months after a civil court found him liable for killing his wife, ordering him to pay $30m (£17m).

The star of 70s show Baretta was told to pay the damages to her children. The jury found he "intentionally caused" Bonny Lee Bakley's death in 2001.

Blake, 72, was acquitted of his wife's murder last March in a criminal trial.

The Baretta star listed his biggest liabilities as the civil damages and a $1.3m (£750,000) federal tax bill.

The bankruptcy filing stated Blake had assets of $100,001 (£56,972) and $500,000 (£284,836).

Blake's lawyer, Peter Ezzell, said he had written off the actor's $200,000 (£113,944) legal fees because of his financial situation.

Bonny Lee Bakley was a mother of four children

Mr Ezzell said he was planning to file for a new trial in the civil case.

Ms Bakley, 44, was found shot dead inside her husband's car after the pair had dined at a Los Angeles restaurant.

Ms Bakley's children brought the civil case of wrongful death, seeking to make Blake liable for their mother's death and to win damages.

The degree of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal case.

Blake denied either hiring anyone to kill his wife, or pulling the trigger himself.

In his testimony before the civil jury, he said his wife stayed in the car when he went back into the restaurant after accidentally leaving behind a handgun he carried for protection.

He said he found his wife shot when he went back to the vehicle.