Appeal Talk

Matt Baker files appeal, appointed new attorney
Tommy Witherspoon
WacoTrib.com

“I just didn’t have the heart for it,” said Gray, who served 25 years as the Jasper County district attorney before moving to Kerrville several years ago.

Despite Gray’s unusual post-trial comments, Schwieger said they likely won’t be fodder for his appeal.

“If his comments constitute violations of the professional rules of conduct, that does not affect the appeal,”Schwieger said. “That has nothing to do with the trial itself. If client confidences were disclosed, or whatever, at that point, it has nothing to do with the appellate process.” (read more)

FYI: The WacoTrib.com has a page that lists all their coverage on the Baker case. It's pretty handy for those catching up and keeping up with the case.

WacoTrib.com Baker Case

Gomer Pyle voice: "Surprise.....Surprise......"

Former Waco Pastor Matt Baker Files Notice Of Appeal

"WACO (January 25, 2010)—Matt Baker, 38, the former Baptist pastor who was sentenced to 65 years in prison Thursday for the 2006 murder of his wife Kari Lynn, will appeal his murder conviction.

Harold Danford, one of the two attorneys who represented Baker during the trial, filed notice of appeal late Monday afternoon.

Because Baker doesn’t have the money to hire an attorney to handle the appeal, State District Judge Ralph Strother said he appointed Waco lawyer Stan Schwieger to represent him." (read more)

I think Danford wanted to make darn sure that he did as much of his duty as he had to to not get in trouble and for the 2nd time, asked for and received his formal "withdraw from counsel" from Strother.

I don't know who this Schwieger attorney is....but I'll start praying for him. And if that doesn't work, I'll bet dollars to donuts Guy and Harold will be saving a seat for him for NinfaRitas all around.

Victim Impact Statements

I want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to see the heartfelt and amazing Victim Impact statements made by Kari's best friend, Jill Hotz, and her mother, Linda. Kari was a beautiful, strong, Christian woman and she was surrounded by her kind.

This video shows the sentence verdict being read followed by the statements of Jill and Linda.

Verdict & Victim Impact Statements

WacoTrib.com Editorials for Sunday, January 24

I'm so behind I don't even know where to start. But I wanted to post links to this powerful Editorial, Letter to the Editor and Guest Column all in today's WacoTrib.com.

EDITORIAL: Matt Baker trial yielded many lessons, including the power of tenacity

"The Matt Baker trial is over and the 38-year-old former Central Texas pastor begins a 65-year sentence for the murder of his wife, Kari, whose mysterious death in Hewitt in 2006 spurred a virtual crusade in our community mounted by her family and friends. Evidence of it could be seen in the courthouse parking lot this past week: bumper stickers that read 'Justice for Kari.'” (read more)

Murder Investigations

"Kari Baker’s death was a true tragedy. But hopefully this sad saga will bring public attention to the biases and prejudices that underline our legal system.

Emotions run high when someone is killed, and the deceased is not there to tell his or her story. So it is the sacred duty of law enforcement officials to protect the rights of the dead." (read more)

Diana Garland, guest column: Don't call it an affair. Call it abuse of power

"We cannot and should not dismiss the chain of events that followed and led, almost incomprehensibly, to the murder of a young mother whose parents and daughters now have an irreplaceable void in their lives. But if we focus on how this extramarital relationship began, we see a textbook example of clergy sexual misconduct, a felony offense in Texas according to the state penal code (Chapter 22: Assaultive Offensives). Matt Baker’s crime of sexual misconduct as a religious leader — long before he plotted to add murder —was not only immoral but criminal." (read more)

Praise God! Justice is served!!

God is good. All the time.

I'll be back shortly! I cannot wait to share how God's glorious hand was all over this. Prayers of much thanksgiving all across the country.

For now, I wanted to create a post where you can leave a message for Kari's family. The support and prayers of so many have been a life-support during the last almost 4 years. Share your love and blessings here.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!

JUSTICE FOR KARI!