GUILTY TX - Kari Baker, 31, found dead in her Hewitt home, 7 April 2006

[swa]

Honestly, I don't think there is ANY doubt that he murdered her. Google Searches, Other Woman, Crushed-up Sleeping Pills . . .

My guess is that he drugged her with the sleeping pills (in her wine cooler) -- then suffocated her. Horrible police work.

 

[Vegas Bride]

I watched this also and feel he killed her.
What was in the ex-girlfriends testimony?
Imo any time there is a printed out suicide note instead of one hand written there is a HUGE red flag.
I understand how friends of his just can't see him guilty, people are fooled every day. If we don't have murder in our own heart, how can we be expected to recognise it in somebody elses?

VB

 

[mysterygirl]

There are so many red flags in this case, it's unreal.

The "friendship" with the other woman who he had no interest in until his wife died, yeah right
The cell phone manipulation
The computer switch
The computer searches on overdosing
The wife flat out saying "I think my husband is trying to kill me" to the counselor
The bruising around nose and mouth that defense blames on cpr/ambu bag even though
she was already dead--- if there is no circulation (she was dead) bruising does not
occur!
Although friends say how nice he is, we know he actually blamed her for their child's
death- he wrote it...but he denied that, he is manipulative to the core..

So do I think it was murder, yes.....could he be the unluckiest guy in the world with above factors, yes- but highly unlikely.

unfortunately, proving this will be extremely difficult.

 

[colette]

Oh ya he killed her. If she planned to kill herself she would have dressed herself nicely. Yet she was naked, with only a bracelet on. He says he dressed her..what???

She told people that he was going to kill her... plus all the other evidence... he killed her.

 

[A_News_Junkie]

Pre-trial was today and very interesting developments:
1. He brought the children to the pre-trial. (WRONG, IMHO)
2. His attorney James Gray wanted to be removed from case - denied. (would love the story there!)
3. Trial date switched to Jan 12

Link to story: http://www.kxxv.com/global/story.asp?s=11747016

I would have copied story here, but am to new to know if that is allowed! :back:

 

[fhc]

Pre-trial was today and very interesting developments:
1. He brought the children to the pre-trial. (WRONG, IMHO)
2. His attorney James Gray wanted to be removed from case - denied. (would love the story there!)
3. Trial date switched to Jan 12

Link to story: http://www.kxxv.com/global/story.asp?s=11747016

I would have copied story here, but am to new to know if that is allowed! :back:

Thank you for updating this story and welcome to WS. This guy has been real sketchy from the start.

 

[Boyz_Mum]

Snip from linked article posted by A_News_Junkie:

Matt Baker Pre-Trial Over,Trial Date Set

WACO - The pre-trial of the former preacher accused of murdering his wife and trying to make it look like suicide was held Wednesday morning. Matt Baker showed up to hear whether a list of motions were granted or denied for the upcoming trial.

Much more at link: http://www.kxxv.com/global/story.asp?s=11747016

A_News_Junkie, I think we can only post a portion of the article- like a couple of sentences.

Thanks a lot for the update and welcome to WS!

 

[A_News_Junkie]

Fhc and Boyz Mum - Thank you for the welcome and the information about posting.

Here is a video report: http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/80343342.html?storySection=comments

another article can be found here: http://www.wacotrib.com/blogs/conte...009/12/30/judge_denies_request_by_matt_b.html

Seems each person/reporter heard the request to be removed by his attorney different. Does anyone know if court filings are available online for Waco, TX? If nobody answers, I will go searching tomorrow to see if I can find a link. (can't tonight - time restraints)

I have also followed a good blog on this case for quite some time now. You can find that if you google Matt Baker + Don't Even Get Me Started .

 

[Boyz_Mum]

Thanks for the blog search idea and I don't know what is available on court filings for Waco. I'd almost bet that someone here has an answer about court filings for Waco, I just can't guarantee that 'someone' might read here before you search it out.

I didn't really care for Mr Baker when I'd seen the story on 48 HRS and I'm praying for justice in the case. It would be interesting to know why his lawyer would 'want out' and why it was denied.

 

[A_News_Junkie]

I will look for a site today for the pleadings - if anyone finds it before me, please post it! It appears the Waco Trib has found the motion and quoted it in their story this am. This is from that article:
“Movant represents to the Court that a serious and material breach of confidence has developed between Movant and defendant such that Movant cannot provide defendant with effective assistance of counsel,” Gray wrote in his request to withdraw from the case. “Movant has thus far acted as counsel for defendant, pro bono, based upon a common understanding of defensive strategy on represented facts.

“. . . The best interests of the public, this defendant, as well as this attorney, will be served by the appointment of a new lawyer to represent the defendant.”

http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2009/12/31/12312009wacBakerHearing.html

Sure would like the back story on that! My guess is his own attorneys see what is obvious to many ............ games, manipulation and lack of judgment (who brings small children to a murder pre-trial????)

I will follow this case as it is tried and I pray that Kari will finally get justice - and her family. I can't wait to hear from Vanessa as it seems her testimony in the grand jury hearing was vital to the events of today.

 

[A_News_Junkie]

I still have not found online records for this case. I found the 19th District Court Criminal Docket calendar and it looks like next Friday there is a status conference.
Link to 19th Court page: http://www.co.mclennan.tx.us/distjudges/19thcourt.aspx (see docket link)
I have the case number: THE CITY OF HEWITT } Case No: 06-0439

COUNTY OF McLENNAN } COMPLAINT

This is from the arrest warrant posted at Waco Trib: http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2007/09/21/09212007wacbakerwarrant.html

I also sent Cindy V. Culp Tribune-Herald staff writer an email asking if she could link me or post the filings on the papers site. I will let you know if I hear back from her.

I will keep digging ................

 

[A_News_Junkie]

Okay, just called the 19th District Court Clerk's office and she said the documents are not available online. No wonder - grrrrrrrr, I hate when case records have to be secured in person and I live 2000 miles away!

 

[Boyz_Mum]

Thanks for trying A_News_Junkie.

 

[chi-mama]

http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2009/12/31/12312009wacBakerHearing.html


Fresh article on the case. Here's a review of the possible reasons for the lawyer's request to be removed. Also, lists earlier articles about the case.

I see that the Prosecution has placed the daughters on their witness list, possibly to prevent their being present in the courtroom during trial.

IMO

 

[A_News_Junkie]

Given that this trial is about to start soon (Jan 12) with status hearing next Friday......... I thought maybe it would be useful to anyone trying to get up to speed on this case to have the following essential links.

The 911 call can be found at: http://www.kwtx.com/news/headlines/10022526.html

The arrest warrant: http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2007/09/21/09212007wacbakerwarrant.html

The 48 hours full video story(Must see): http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5076253n&tag=related;photovideo

The 48 hours written story: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/08/48hours/main4079955.shtml#ccmm

The Waco Trib Interview (A MUST READ): http://www.wacotrib.com/search/content/news/stories/2007/12/08/12082007wactommytranscript.html

The 20/20 article: http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=4408157&page=1
(I can't seem to find the video on this - so if anyone has it, please post it!)

The Texas Monthly Article: http://www.texasmonthly.com/2008-03-01/webextra2.php

If anyone here is an expert on body language and /or language analysis please weigh in here --- I see soooooooooooooooo many red flags but would love to hear what others think, especially those with formal training!

I am so glad there are members here following the case as I have not found many places giving this case the attention it deserves. I was horrified that M. Baker brought the children to court yesterday and I will choose to believe that the prosecution has listed the children to keep their precious ears from being subjected to having to sit through the trial for the father's own benefit. I do think he would have used them as tokens in the court for sympathy and his own needs. I was also visibly disturbed when I heard him recount bathing the children - who were beyond the age that a parent needed to help bathe them.

Again, THANK YOU for this discussion!!!!!!!

 

[A_News_Junkie]

I have also followed a good blog on this case for quite some time now. You can find that if you google Matt Baker + Don't Even Get Me Started .

Quoting myself to let anyone following this case know, that the owner of this blog is not posting anymore till after the trial. Apparently, she is a potential state witness. I can't wait till this trial happens and I will be interested to hear and read there after the verdict. I found it about a year ago and was impressed with the wealth of information and quality of the posters there.

 

[A_News_Junkie]

I see that a few papers and blogs have picked up this AP Blurb -- but no new information as of yet...... but I do expect this week -- especially Friday when the status hearing is held, we might see the stories increase.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6793116.html (Huston Chronicle, but again nothing new, just interest which IMHO is good!)

 

[TGIRecovered]

Thanks News Junkie, for updating us on the latest news in this case!

I am in Texas, but not close enough to Waco to be of any help in obtaining records in person. If I didn't have kiddos to tend to I'd be tempted to make the drive to attend at least part of the trial. I guess we'll all just have to watch from afar...bummer!

 

[A_News_Junkie]

Thanks News Junkie, for updating us on the latest news in this case!

I am in Texas, but not close enough to Waco to be of any help in obtaining records in person. If I didn't have kiddos to tend to I'd be tempted to make the drive to attend at least part of the trial. I guess we'll all just have to watch from afar...bummer!

Opinion alert! Well I am in Ky - but it has crossed my mind that I need a road trip! LOL I am going to try to call Tru Tv tomorrow and see if I can find out if they are going to cover it. If they are, that will help that urge I have to see justice served for Kari and all the women like her who have suffered at the hands of men like I perceive him to be. He reminds me of someone I was married to for 14 years and it is my but by the grace of God there went I case.

 

[A_News_Junkie]

Just an update that I called Tru TV and got a recording. I left my name and phone number to call me. I told them there were a group of bloggers wondering if they would be covering the trial since it was featured on 20/20 and Dateline. (Never hurts to remind them this has been covered nationally! hehe)......so, if they call back you all will be the first to know!