at the time, I did a lot of time in SoCal
I know a guy who was an alternate on the Robert Blake trial (was dismissed as the went into deliberation). He told me that the press didn't report it correctly and there was no way Blake was guilty. He became very interested in the criminal proceeding and took time off from his job (same company I worked for) to sit through the entire MJ trial. Sometimes he got into the courthouse, which was packed, sometimes he did not. But again, he told me that the case wasn't even close. He said that the family went after MJ for his deep pockets, assuming he'd cave and settle. He said others were, basically, paid/coached to make the same accusations.
The press lapped both of them up: MJ, the weird pedo. Blake, the over-the-top angry guy. Both had their careers ruined.
Press is a mess...a complete and total mess.
My friend quit his job and got into law. I lost track of him but believe he is doing some consulting within the legal world.