Los Angeles ? A judge ruled Thursday that Robert Blake will be tried for murder because the actor “had the time, the opportunity and the motive” to gun down his wife nearly two years ago.

Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nash also said Blake could be freed on $1.5 million bail, a decision that brought tears to the eyes of the 69-year-old actor who has spent nearly 11 months in jail. He will be monitored electronically.

Blake will be tried on a charge of murdering Bonny Lee Bakley, solicitation of murder, conspiracy and the special circumstance of lying in wait. Co-defendant Earle Caldwell, a former bodyguard and handyman for Blake, will also stand trial on a conspiracy charge. Arraignment will be March 27, but no trial date was set.