A judge in actor Robert Blake's murder trial gave 156 prospective jurors a questionnaire last week that asked, among other things, if they had ever visited the Studio City restaurant where Blake's wife was murdered.

Superior Court Judge Darlene Schempp approved the release of a 17-page questionnaire on Monday, a full week after prospective jurors began filling out the document. Court officials apologized for any confusion, but said there was no conscious effort to deceive media outlets who were told jury selection would not begin until February.

In addition to asking people if they had to been Vitello's before or after Bonny Lee Bakley's May 4, 2001, shooting death, the questionnaire also asked whether potential jurors would be too offended by "adult" material to fairly consider all the evidence that will be shown during a trial expected to last months.

Blake, 70, who starred in the popular 1970s cop-drama "Baretta," is charged with murdering the 44-year-old Bakley after allegedly trying to shop around for a hitman. She was found shot to death in their car outside Vitello's. The unregistered murder weapon, a 9-mm Walther P38, was recovered from a dumpster nearby.

Blake told police that someone shot her in the head after he returned to the restaurant to retrieve a gun he had been carrying for protection and left behind during their dinner together. He remains free on $1.5 million bail, but is under house arrest.

Bonnie Lee Bakely, a small-time grifter, was also linked to Marlon Brando's son, Christian, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Most of the 133 questions on the survey are routine queries to gauge prospective jurors' attitudes toward police and the criminal justice system. The question about sexually explicit material may refer to allegations that Bakley, who has been described as a celebrity-obsessed grifter, made money from lonely men by sending them nude photos and pornography.

Defense lawyers contend Bakley's sordid activities produced a long list of people who may have wanted her dead.

Blake is not due back in court until Feb. 2, when the prosecution and defense are scheduled to argue pre-trial motions. Schempp, who described last week's jury activity as "pre-screening," scheduled the start of formal jury selection for Feb. 17.

If convicted, Blake could receive life in prison.