(AP) LOS ANGELES A Los Angeles appeals court has upheld a nearly $19,000 fine against a former attorney for Robert Blake for badmouthing a rival lawyer during a jailhouse deposition.
The court said that Thomas Mesereau Junior's behavior was "clearly improper" during a January 2003 civil deposition of the former "Baretta" actor, who was in jail at the time on charges he murdered his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley.
The unanimous decision said Mesereau violated court rules and case law.
Mesereau and Bakley family attorney Eric Dubin clashed during the deposition. Mesereau called the opposing counsel a "clown" and described the proceeding as "a clown show."
Mesereau has apologized, but has argued that Dubin was equally to blame. Blake was acquitted of Bakley's murder earlier this year.