Hearing set for tomorrow rescheduled

The bond-reduction hearing was originally scheduled for tomorrow. It has been rescheduled until next Thursday, April 9th, and will be the arraignment as well as bond reduction.

Flight risk?

What are your thoughts? Do you feel Matt Baker is a flight risk?

"Judgment Day for the Preacher"

Erin Moriarty (who did a brilliant job with the 48 Hours piece on this case last year) writes her thoughts in an update on the case on In Cold Blog: Judgment Day for the Preacher

"So what happened that caused new charges to file against Baker almost three years after the death of his wife?

Apparently, a friend of Baker’s, a young woman he was 'seeing' at the time of his wife’s death, convinced the grand jurors that there was more than meets the eye to Kari’s death, a death originally listed as a suicide." (read full story here)

Here is a link to Erin's first blog post about this case, dated 5-21-08.
"The Preacher's Wife"

Words from Linda....

Linda left this heartfelt comment on a post earlier today. I can't even imagine being in her place and having to have these feelings. Worrying about her precious granddaughters this way. And even though I'm sure she doesn't feel incredibly strong, I have found her to be an incredible inspiration of strength and fortitude. Hang on, Linda. Justice for Kari is coming. The girls don't have an easy road ahead of them, but with the strength, loyalty, compassion and love of the Dulin family and their families and friends, they will grow up to be phenomenal women. How could they not? Look at their incredible maternal lineage!

"Thank you for your honest sentiments, Kerrvillian, and for your feedback, Shannon.

Right now, I am so overwhelmed. I knew this day would come. I always knew. I know the evidence. Still, I am also so very sad. My precious granddaughters are the most tragic victims. I can’t begin to imagine the terror in their little hearts.

I am not going to say much more because I am searching for wisdom and forgiveness here. I regret any comments I made in the media after Matt’s arrest. I didn’t say much but I wish I hadn’t said anything. I don’t want to bring more pain for my granddaughters. I don’t want to bring additional pain to anyone. I do believe that when a person takes another life, that person should be held accountable. The system is working. As Shannon has posted, “justice delayed is still justice.”

I am praying for Matt and his family…for Vanessa and her family. I don’t write this with any pious generosity. This isn’t easy for me. In fact, it is an incredible struggle. I am such a flawed work in progress. I want so badly for my thoughts and actions to show that I seek the Lord in all I do. Mainly I fail. Thank goodness for His grace. I know it will shine on all who seek Him. For those who believe in the power of prayers, please lift up my granddaughters. Let them emerge from this to become whole and healthy adults. To justice. To healing.

Linda"

Please keep those prayers flowing over the coming months! If you would like to leave any words of strength, wisdom, peace, scripture or encouragement for Kari's family, feel free to leave your comments on this post. I'm sure they will be very uplifting and appreciated. Thank you all! ~ Shannon

Local man indicted in death of wife

After 2 days of being a big news story, The Kerrville Daily Times finally gets around to the story. Even then, it's not easy to find in the online paper.

Local man indicted in death of wife I think Conor Harrison did a much better job than previous Daily Times reporters. Just sayin'.

Again, the almost funny quote from Matt's attorney, Ellison, "He is innocent, and we look forward to our day in court so the truth will come out and put an end to all of this.” None of the long line of court-avoiding-then-quit-attorneys Matt has had wanted to go to court. The only ones that truly want the truth to come out are the ones that know Matt is guilty.

Matt heading to McLennan County...

McLennan County deputies bringing former minister Baker back to Waco
Tommy Witherspoon - WacoTrib.com

"McLennan County deputies are in route back to Waco from Kerrville with former Baptist minister Matt Baker.

Sheriff Larry Lynch said deputies picked up Baker this afternoon from the Kerr County Jail and should have him back in McLennan County and booked into the county jail on Highway 6 tonight." (read more)

Matt Baker - Eyes for Lies

Eyes for Lies has updated her site with the news:
Matt Baker Indicted on Murder Charges

She has many of her postings in the last year or so about her thoughts on this case. Some very interesting ideas and she points out some great things.

Matt Surrenders to Kerr County Authorities

From the WacoTrib.com:

Matt Baker Surrenders to Authorities <---read full article by Tommy Witherspoon

"Former Central Texas Baptist minister Matt Baker, who was indicted on murder charges Wednesday in the April 2006 death of his wife, surrendered to Kerr County officials at 4 p.m. today.

Baker’s bond is set at $500,000 and officials say he is expected to remain in custody at least until his attorney can ask 19th State District Judge Ralph Strother to reduce his bond at a hearing Wednesday morning."

Pictures and basic info can be found at Kerr County Jail Records Search

Vanessa - Powerful Testimony

Former Waco-area pastor indicted on murder charge in wife's death
Tommy Witherspoon - WacoTrib.com

Here is a snippet of today's article by Tommy about yesterday's testimony and indictment. Wow.

"On Wednesday, Long and Shafer escorted Bulls into the grand jury chambers, where she testified for about 30 minutes. That was after 54th State District Judge Matt Johnson granted her immunity from any legal repercussions that might come from her testimony, courthouse sources said."

Whatever that woman had to say must have been HUGE......DAMNING, in fact. For both of them. It's all confidential right now. But like all the other evidence, will come out soon. Thank God that Vanessa told what she knew. It's certainly time.

Mommy! Mommy, Look!!!

As I was sitting here last night reading about the indictment, my daughter runs in from outside, "Mommy! Mommy, come look! God has something to show you!!!"

Yesterday sure was a day for God's tangible and visible signs of His great promises!!

The Indictment

You can view the indictment here.

THE STATE OF TEXAS
VS.
MATTHEW DEE BAKER

PRIMARY OFFENSE: MURDER
1st DEGREE FELONY

IN THE NAME AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

THE GRAND JURY, for the County of McLennan, State of Texas, duly selected, empaneled, sworn, charged and organized as such at the March Term, A.D., 2009, of the 54th Judicial District Court for said County, upon their oaths present in and to said Court at said term that MATT DEE BAKER, hereinafter styled Defendant, heretofore on or about the 7th day of April, A.D. 2006, and before the presentment of this indictment, in the County and State aforesaid, did then and there intentionally or knowingly case the death of an individual, namely, KARI LYNN BAKER, by administering drugs to her and suffocating her with a pillow and in a manner and means to the grand jury unknown,
.......AGAINST THE PEACE AND DIGNITY OF THE STATE.

Signed by the Grand Jury Foreman

Matt Baker INDICTED FOR MURDER!!

Was a VERY big day in McLennan County Texas today! More news on that later. For now, I just wanted to share this news:

Grand jury hears testimony in case of pastor accused of killing wife - Tommy Witherspoon w/ WacoTrib.com

Pay special attention to the note at the top of the online article:

UPDATE: Matt Baker has been indicted by a McLennan County grand jury. We’ll have more this afternoon on WacoTrib.com and in Thursday’s Waco Tribune-Herald.

KXXV.com just updated their online article about the indictment:
Ex-pastor indicted for wife's murder

KWTX.com:
Former Waco Area Pastor Indicted for Murder

Out of the mouths of babes...

I received an email from Mrs. Dulin today. She wanted to share a story that Kari's best friend, Jill, shared with her recently. With permission, I post it below:

"Kari’s dear friend, Jill, shared a sweet story with me yesterday. I thought I would share it with you. Jill took her son, Samuel, to Chik-fil-a last week. While they were there, Samuel was given a balloon. He told his mom, 'I know I am too old for balloons but I just love them.' Jill assured him that he wasn’t too old to love balloons. And then…..the balloon slipped out of Samuel’s hand and escaped into the air. As it floated high into the sky, Samuel said, 'That balloon is for Kari.'

Samuel loved Kari. And he still loves Kensi and Grace. He always called them 'his girls.' ”

So many people miss Kari's vibrant spirit and playful ways. So many.

Civil Trial Date - SET!

I went to the district clerk's office last Monday to see what progress was going on with the civil trial since the last hearing in December where Matt's attorney finagled a few more months in continuances. (MUCH to the Judge's great irritation!) The Judge was adamant that Matt's attorney's work with the Dulin's attorneys POST HASTE on scheduling this court date. After almost 3 months of Matt's attorney not responding on agreeable court dates, the Judge just set it himself.

I called the 19th District Court office and spoke with Joy. She told me that the civil trial was set to begin on September 29th. She also indicated that this case had a "PRIORITY RATING." When I asked her what that meant she said that this case was taking priority over other ones and the date was set in stone....not to be wiggled out of once again by one of Matt's long line of court-avoiding lawyers.

So at least one form of justice will commence this September. I wonder if the criminal justice will come even before September? It's possible.