Zahra Baker MEDIA links only **NO DISCUSSION**

[NoeticSoul]

Zahra Baker's father shows up in court by mistake

"CALDWELL COUNTY, NC (WBTV) - There's been yet another delay in a court appearance for a woman accused of murdering her stepdaughter.

Elisa Baker was supposed to be in court Monday morning for charges including fraud, moving violations and worthless checks.

She's also charged with murder in the dismemberment death of her stepdaughter, Zahra, whose remains were found scattered in Caldwell County last fall.

On Monday, Elisa Baker's case pertaining to the lesser charges unrelated to Zahra's death was continued to a future date.

In a surprising turn of events, Zahra's father, Adam Baker, actually showed up in court by mistake. He soon realized he was supposed to be in court on Tuesday.

Adam Baker is facing several charges for writing worthless check, threats, and an assault charge.

On his way out of the courtroom, he spoke with WBTV Reporter Steve Ohnesorge."

Read more: http://www.wbtv.com/story/15059121/father-and-step-mom-of-zahra-baker-to-appear-in-court

 

[FaerieB]

Video: Adam Baker wants justice for Zahra

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/...6/?referer=None&shorturl=http://bit.ly/nOeY7Q

 

[FaerieB]

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2011/jul/11/2/zahras-dad-speaks-out-ar-1198451/

*snip

Baker arrived about an hour before the courtroom doors were unlocked. He was alone. He said his mother had flown back to his native Australia.

Just before the Superior Court session was to begin, a member of the District Attorney’s office told Baker his hearing had been rescheduled for today [Tuesday].

Baker didn’t address his daughter’s murder directly, but he did discuss the woman accused of the killing: his wife and Zahra’s stepmother Elisa Baker.

“I want to make sure she gets what she deserves,” he said.

~more at link

 

[FaerieB]

Elisa Baker attorney files motion to get her trial moved from Catawba County

Defense claims pretrial publicity has infected potential jurors with prejudice

Reilly claims the facts about pretrial publicity is so extensive that an evidentiary hearing in court on the change of venue motion is unnecessary. He asks the court to grant the change without a hearing because “Prejudice is so extreme in this case that it should fairly be presumed.”

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2011/jul/12/6/elisa-baker-attorney-wants-trial-moved-ar-1200812/

 

[NoeticSoul]

Elisa Baker to appear in court today

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. – Elisa Baker is due back in court today.

http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Elisa-Baker-to-appear-in-court-today-125557793.html

 

[Hickory Born]

Judge sets future court dates for Elisa Baker.

http://www.wbtv.com/story/15082009/elisa-baker-appears-thing

snipped:

The District Attorney announced that Michael Van Buren will be the lead prosecutor in all cases against Baker.

The District Attorney wants those cases tried first with the second-degree murder and obstruction charges tried last.

 

[Hickory Born]

Elisa Baker to be Arraigned in September on Murder Charges

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/28546670/detail.html

snipped:

A Catawba County judge said Thursday that the arraignment, during which Baker will say either guilty or not guilty, will take place Sept. 12.

 

[NoeticSoul]

Trial preparations begin in death of Zahra Baker

(snipped)

"Baker is facing nine felony charges, including second-degree murder and obstruction of justice. She’s facing more than 20 misdemeanor charges as well for crimes like passing bad checks and communicating threats. On top of that she’s facing seven federal drug charges for allegedly trafficking in prescription pain killers."

"District Attorney Jay Gaither told Superior Court Judge Timothy Kincaid that he intends to try Baker on murder charges after her additional felony cases are concluded. After the hearing, Gaither said that Baker committed her other crimes before she killed Zahra and she’ll be tried for them first.

He did not address the fact that, according to state sentencing guidelines, Baker will do more prison time for a murder conviction if she already has prior felony convictions."

more @ link

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2011/jul/14/4/zara-baker-trial-preparations-begin-ar-1207577/

 

[NoeticSoul]

North Carolina lawmakers consider "Caylee's Law"

"CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Jul 15, 2011 8:41 PM CDT

(snipped)

"The murders of Caylee Anthony and Zahra Baker have sparked a movement in North Carolina. People are pushing for change to protect children in danger.

A new bill aims to close a loop hole in North Carolina's child abuse law.

"Along with the sadness of the death and the crime and all that, there was the fact there was an issue reporting a missing child in timely manner to the proper authorities," Sponsor of the bill State Representative Kelly Hastings said."

"Hickory's Zarah Baker was missing two weeks before her step-mother reported anything."

more @ link:

http://www.wbtv.com/story/15090538/north-carolina-lawmakers-consider-caylees-law

 

[NoeticSoul]

Hickory's Chick-fil-A raises money for Zahra's playground
By Richard Gould
Published: July 16, 2011

(snipped)

"Hickory’s Chick-fil-A is working to raise $5,000 for Kiwanis Playground Fund for Zahra by the end of the month. Once the corporate office matches the donations that will mean $10,000 to go toward the park expansion.

The park is designed to accommodate all children, regardless of whether they are disabled or not. It will be a part of Hickory’s Kiwanis Park at 805 Sixth St., SE.

Annette Setzer’s Chick-fil-A team is raising money for the park by taking donations, selling iced tea and selling commemorative brick pavers.

“We’ve probably raised a good $600 in two days – that’s just from this bucket right here,” Setzer said as she accepted donations from the cars in the restaurant’s drive through lane Saturday. “Corporate’s going to match us penny for penny.”

more @ link:

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/...il-raises-money-zahras-playground-ar-1213394/

 

[NoeticSoul]

'Birdies of Zahra' raises $10,000
July 18, 2011

(snipped)

"CONOVER -- The Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn presented by Kia Motors and the Kiwanis Clubs of Catawba County raised $10,000 through the “Birdies for Zahra” fundraiser during the annual Champions Tour event last month, according to a Monday announcement.

Through its partnership with the Kiwanis Clubs, the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn raised funds last June to help build the Zahra Baker’s All Children’s Playground suitable for all children in memory of Zahra, the 10-year-old Australian girl who was murdered last fall."

more @ link:

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2011/jul/18/birdies-zahra-raises-10000-ar-1218231/

 

[dar107]

'Adam didn't kill Zahra' A DEFIANT Karen Baker, back in Australia after spending six months by her son Adam Baker's side in the US, spoke to the Townsville Bulletin's Andy Toulson this week in an exclusive one-on-one interview.

Karen spoke from her Newcastle home about the toll taken on the family over the murder of her granddaughter, former Giru girl Zahra Baker, and their pain at suggestions of her son's involvement. Adam, still in North Carolina, also spoke of his devastation.


More at link...
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2011/07/16/248801_news.html

 

[borndem]

Judge sets future court dates for Elisa Baker.

http://www.wbtv.com/story/15082009/elisa-baker-appears-thing

snipped:

The District Attorney announced that Michael Van Buren will be the lead prosecutor in all cases against Baker.

The District Attorney wants those cases tried first with the second-degree murder and obstruction charges tried last.

Thanks, HickoryBorn -
Having the murder/obstruction cases last is a good idea, and one that most DAs try to do. If the defendant is convicted of any felonies, points are charged to the defendant. Then in subsequent felony convictions, these points are used to determine sentencing level. Obviously, the more points, the more harsh the sentence can be, especially when it comes to months of detention.

 

[NoeticSoul]

Inmates help raise money for Zahra Baker playground

(snipped)

"TAYLORSVILLE, NC (WBTV) – The Kiwanis fundraising effort to build a playground in memory of Zahra Baker got a boost on Thursday from a group of inmates in the Alexander Correctional facility.

The Men's Club there raised $650 through the sale of hamburgers and added another $350 from other donations and sales.

The $1000 total was presented to Annette Setzer who has been spearheading fundraising efforts at her Chik Fil A store in Hickory.

"I am overwhelmed by this," she said. Setzer says the total will grow to $2000 "Because Corporate said they would match any funds we raised through the month of July."

more @ link

http://www.wbtv.com/story/15170610/inmates-help-raise-money-for-zahra-baker-playground

 

[Hickory Born]

Judge grants change of venue in Zahra murder trial


http://www.wbtv.com/story/15185477/attorney-stepmoms-murder-trial-should-be-moved


snipped:

Both sides were instructed to do some research on possible locations. The judge mentioned places near Winston Salem and Asheville, saying any place with proper facilities will be considered.

The judge is also considering having the jurors selected in another county, and then bringing them to Catawba County for the trial.

 

[Hickory Born]

Baker trial will likely move out of Catawba County .

http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Bakers-a ... 22688.html

Snipped:

The judge also ordered Gaither to make any plea offer that he might want to make to Baker's attorney by September 12.

Asked if he was considering a plea offer Gaither said, "Under our case management plan we are supposed to do that so we will comply. That could be anything from pleading guilty as charged to something less, but I'm not going to discuss anything about plea deals."

As he was leaving the courtroom, Riley was asked if he expected an offer of a plea deal.

"I'll listen to anything Mr. Gaither has to say," Riley said.

 

[Kat]

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/08/02/Trial-to-be-moved-in-Zahra-Baker-case/UPI-76621312312017/


Trial to be moved in Zahra Baker case

Published: Aug. 2, 2011 at 3:06 PM

Superior Court Judge Timothy Kincaid granted a change of venue after Baker's defense attorney argued it would be impossible for her to get a fair trial...

 

[Hickory Born]

McDonald's Joins Fundraiser for Zahra's Playground

http://hickory.wbtv.com/news/news/65573-mcdonalds-joins-fundraiser-zahras-playground?utm_source=fbp

snipped:

Two checks totaling $25,000 was handed to Kiwanis officials by John Link, the owner of the McDonald's restaurant on highway 321 in Hickory.

The donation comes from the Ronald McDonald charities. "It's a perfect fit for the money to go to," said Link.

 

[Hickory Born]

Adam's court date has been postponed again. His attorney wants to call Elisa as a witness.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4401745...adam-baker-continuance/#.TkHKAhmaRlw.facebook

 

[borndem]

Excerpt from NoeticSoul:
"TAYLORSVILLE, NC (WBTV) – The Kiwanis fundraising effort to build a playground in memory of Zahra Baker got a boost on Thursday from a group of inmates in the Alexander Correctional facility.

The Men's Club there raised $650 through the sale of hamburgers and added another $350 from other donations and sales.

The $1000 total was presented to Annette Setzer who has been spearheading fundraising efforts at her Chik Fil A store in Hickory.

"I am overwhelmed by this," she said. Setzer says the total will grow to $2000 "Because Corporate said they would match any funds we raised through the month of July."

Thank you, N-Soul for your postings which included this part of your notes about the Playground fund-raising. I am particularly impressed with the donations by the inmates at Alexander Correctional -- I have read where they are not allowed to possess but around $40.00 or less at any one time -- so their funds are limited. For them to do this is very touching and shows their awareness of outside events (as inmates always are, I'm told) and it shows a caring about a child they certainly never knew. To me, a very fine thing for them to do.