Don't Even Get Me Started

Message from Linda

2012-01-25T11:36:00.002-06:00

Linda sent me this precious email this morning and asked me to post it on the blog. I know so many of the prayer warriors they've been blessed with over these many years want to know how she, Jim, Kensi and Grace are doing with their new, busy, blessed lives. So here you go:

Shannon,

Thank you for being Kari’s voice during this journey (almost 6 years!). I remember so clearly reading your blog for the first time. I didn’t know you---I didn’t understand why someone who wasn’t connected to my family seemed to be so absolutely convinced that the story of Kari’s death was a flat lie---THEN I READ:

"Remind me to tell you about the time........We were both worried about Bro's TAKS test stuff. We both knew he could do it....but were worried about his motivation to get through it as he should. Did I mention that she loved my boy? We worked together and worked together getting him ready. Literally. Worked. Together.

One day after the reading TAKS results had just gotten in and letters had been written to the parents but not mailed yet.....she was sooooooo excited to share with me that she knew Bro had not only passed, but passed WELL.......I was in the lunchroom with other parents that went in to pick up their kidlets and make eye contact with their teachers and try to keep up with the pulse of things. I saw Bro's class come out of the hallway. THEN.....I saw Mrs. Baker see me. She had a piece of paper in her hand. We made eye contact and she "lit up." Then............she skipped across the lunchroom to me. She didn't walk. She didn't glide. She didn't stand there with other teachers and just wave to me. She. Skipped. With that giant "Kari Baker" smile. She loved my boy and she loved and taught him so well he rocked that freakin' TAKS test. She was beaming. I was beaming watching her beam over my son. Now....right now...I'm a cross between beaming at the memory, crying that she's not here, and anger.....and now a bit of relief."

And I knew immediately. You knew my child. You knew who Kari was. You knew her heart….her spirit….her essence….how deeply she loved…..and you knew the truth. You didn’t know the details/the specifics (none of us did at this time). BUT YOU KNEW KARI. I wept….tears of joy. I could see my precious child skipping towards you. And this was the beginning of our friendship and our journey together. I am so grateful.

Thank you for being such an integral part of our quest for justice----no, so much more---Thank you for helping us bring Kensi and Grace home. This was our ultimate goal. We had to bring our granddaughters, Kari’s daughters, back to the place/family/people where they would receive the love and HEALING they needed. We are a family….with all it entails. : ) Jim and I praise and thank God daily. He has shown us such grace and love---He carried us, put so many incredible people in our lives, and allowed events to transpire that I believe were miraculous.

We still have so much to do. Jim and I are raising our two precious granddaughters. We steeled ourselves for a rough transition…. but it didn’t happen. Yep, another blessing. The girls have been getting the help they need. They have made wonderful friends, are involved in school, church, service/volunteering, and much more. We are future oriented. Jim and I promised God and each other that we would be vessels for love and healing. We do not make negative comments about Matt or any of the Bakers. No matter who they are or what they have done, the girls love them. We hope that someday they can love their father and accept the truth about what he did to their mother …but they will need to get the facts in the right environment and in the right time. Ultimately, that is all out of our hands. We focus on loving and sharing our lives. Wow! I still can’t get over this incredible blessing~

Shannon, you have become my sister/friend for life. “Thank you” sounds so inadequate. You are such an incredible gift. The next leg of our journey is going to be so exciting. Through your blog, I made new friends who have become dear to me….so many others reached out and supported us. It is overwhelming to think about all of the kindness people showed. I hope they know how much they meant to us, especially in those uncertain times. They held us up!

I love you, Shannon!

Linda (most often called “grammy” in these times )

Love you, too, Sister Friend. What an incredibly strong, Christian example you have been to me.....and so many others. Kensi and Grace are so very blessed to have you and Jim to continue to raise them in such Christian love and faithfulness.

The time is near.....

2011-07-03T12:31:00.004-05:00

Alright, everyone. The next two weeks will bring the culmination of what we all have been praying for this last year and a half........giant steps towards healing for Kensi and Grace. For the Dulins, this has never been about winning or "getting the girls." It has always been about having their granddaughters live in a healthy environment where they are safe to love all of their family, including their father. It is about truth, love and healing.

Tuesday, July 5th will start off with jury selection. I'm guessing that will take most of that day, maybe even run into Wednesday morning some. Not sure. So the actual trial should start July 6th, Wednesday, sometime and run through the beginning to middle of next week. I will be there the entire time but I will not be able to put anything on the blog during the trial. I will share what I can after the trial is over and I am back home. However, I do believe that the WacoTrib.com will have some coverage. If any of you see/read/hear news reports and want to share them here, just leave a link in the comments on this post for others to check out.

Most of all.........please continue (and increase) your prayers for the Dulin family and Kensi and Grace. Pray for the Judge and jury. Pray for the attorneys and witnesses. Pray God's will be done. Amen.

Appeal: DENIED!!

2011-06-09T13:21:00.008-05:00

10th Court of Appeals rejects Matt Baker appeal
WacoTrib.com

"Waco's 10th Court of Appeals Thursday rejected former minister Matt Baker's appeal of his murder conviction for killing his wife, Kari, at their Hewitt home in 2006 and staging the scene to look like suicide." (read more)

Appeals Court Affirms Murder Conviction Of Ex-Waco Pastor Matt Baker
KWTX.com - Channel 10

"WACO (June 9, 2011)—Waco’s 10th Court of Appeals has affirmed the conviction of former Waco pastor Matt Baker, who was sentenced to 65 years in prison in 2010 for the 2006 murder of his wife Kari Lynn, whom prosecutors said he drugged, handcuffed to a bed under the guise of amorous play, and then suffocated with a pillow." (read more)

Convicted killer loses appeal in 2006 murder
KXXV.com - Channel 25

"WACO - Convicted killer Matt Baker has lost an appeal in the murder of his wife in 2006. Wednesday, the 10th Court of Appeals in Waco confirmed the former minister's conviction." (read more)

You can read the entire 10th Court of Appeals' Memorandum Opinion here. Good reading.

NOW are his 10 minutes up?

Go forth and BID!!!!!

2011-05-21T08:33:00.002-05:00

Help the Dulins bring their granddaughters back home.

Let love and healing be the final act in this terrible tragedy.

Love Trumps Evil!

Alrighty, the time has come.......... The Dulin Fans Online Auction is open and ready for YOU to go forth and find the goodies and services that are waiting on YOU!! There is a wide range of items/services to choose from. Got $5.00 to spend? We got stuff for $5.00. Got $100.00 to spend? We got things for $100.00. Got money burning a hole in your pocket? We can help with that, too! And remember, every penny raised in this online auction will go to help Jim and Linda Dulin bring their granddaughters home and work on healing for everyone.

THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

The home page for the online auction: Dulin Fans Online Auction
If you want to see all the items in one list: Auction List

You've got 48 hours! Well, 47 1/2 hours. Better get to bidding..........

KCENTV- Channel 6 News Story

2011-05-18T21:00:00.001-05:00

Thank you KCEN (Channel 6) and Ashley Goudeau for taking such an interest in the DulinFans Online Auction! You've helped reached thousands of potential bidders!

Friends of Jim and Linda Dulin raising money for custody battle
Ashley Goudeau
KCENTV.com

Linda Reichenbach and Shannon Gamble are staying busy. Businesses and people around the world have donated a hodge podge of items to them for an online auction they're organizing.

"We have small items, $5 in value, $3 in value all the way up to a Rolex watch which was donated for $1,500," Linda says.

One of Shannon's favorites is a red, white and blue baseball cap. "This was from West Lake Monogram in Hewitt. And they created these hats custom made, we have six that will be auctioned off separately that say 'I helped Kari's kids.'"

I haven't seen the 6:00 PM news yet and am waiting for the 10:00 PM news story. I tried to brag on all the wonderful local businesses that donated things and I hope that those comments make the 10:00 story.

Thank you all, businesses and private donors. It's continuously so amazing, yet not unfathomable in "God terms," how many people are working, praying, giving and helping more of "Love Trumps Evil."

6 Monogrammed hats from West Lake Monogram

2011-05-17T07:29:00.001-05:00

Are these awesome or what!?!

West Lake Monogram in Woodway, TX is donating 6 of these hats specially made for the Dulin Fans Online Auction coming up THIS weekend. These are fantastic! Get your bidding fingers ready!! He is also donating a new Game Guard BCB-240 cooler bag and will embroider a name on it. Very cool!

Thanks, Dennis!!!

Check out all the fabulous donations at www.dulinfans.com!! Click on the DulinFans Auction link at the top of the Home page to see pictures and descriptions of the donations so far.

It's not too late to donate! Email dulinfans@gmail.com with your donations. THANKS!

New Donations!!

2011-05-06T14:39:00.000-05:00

CHECK OUT THE NEW DONATIONS!!!

Thanks everyone! Keep 'em coming! Time is getting close. Website should be live SOON!

Today's Waco Tribune Herald article.....

2011-05-01T09:30:00.001-05:00

Online auction planned to raise funds for custody battle of Baker children

Tommy Witherspoon

Tribune-Herald staff writer

Wish I could place the whole article here because it's very good. And I must add (for those of you that don't get the physical paper) that this story is placed as the top headline story on the Local & Texas section. Excellent positioning! This is going to bring much more attention to our online auction and help get the word out to all of Central Texas (and beyond) in a BIG WAY! Here's a couple of snippets:

Since Kari Baker’s death, family and friends have united behind the Dulins and are doing so again with an online auction to raise funds for legal expenses and, they hope, to fund the girls’ therapy if the Dulins prevail in the custody trial.

Linda Reichenbach and Shannon Gamble, friends of the Dulins, are organizing the online auction and are soliciting donations through Twitter, Facebook, emails, going door-to-door and on Gamble’s Internet blog, “Don’t Even Get Me Started,” a tribute to Kari Baker’s memory that she has kept for several years.

Reichenbach, a computer instructor at McLennan Community College, and her students will create a website on which the auction will be conducted and the auction items displayed. (read more)

And when Tommy asked why I keep doing what I can for continued justice in this case:

‘Just not done yet’

Gamble met Kari Baker when her son, Brody, was in Baker’s third-grade class.

“We are putting this together because it is just not done yet,” Gamble said. “We have part one done, which is justice with Matt being convicted and bringing back Kari’s memory in a better way. Part two is saving her girls. I don’t feel like they are in a safe place. She would have kept fighting until her girls were safe and if I can help do that, I am going to do that, too.” (read more)

Waco Tribune Herald

2011-04-30T12:51:00.000-05:00

Be sure and check out the Waco Tribune Herald tomorrow (Sunday, May 1) for Tommy Witherspoon's article about the Dulin Fans Online Auction! I know most of you can't view it online, though. But I'll let you know all about it. ;)

"Twist of Faith" - Investigation Discovery

2011-04-25T19:04:00.004-05:00

True Crime with Aphrodite Jones (on the Investigation Discovery channel) is airing their show on our case this Thursday, April 28. If you are on DirecTV, it's Channel 285. DishNetwork is Channel 192. If you are in Central Texas: Time Warner is Channel 134 and Grande is Channel 161. To verify what channel it is in your area and with your service provider, you can click here and then scroll down a little bit on the right side and you can put your info in their Channel Finder widget.

Case Profile: Matthew Baker
By Chris Opfer
Edited by Kevin P. Allen

Matthew Baker is a former preacher and father of three who was convicted of killing his wife so he could be with his mistress. The Baptist minister drugged and suffocated Kari Baker and attempted to make her death look like a suicide. The scheme almost worked.

ID VIDEO: Who Was Kari Baker?
Aphrodite Jones meets with convicted murderer and former Pastor, Matthew Baker. His interview sparks the question about his victim, "Who Was the real Kari Baker?"

ID VIDEO: Kari Baker's Last Days
Aphrodite Jones learns more about Kari Baker's last days before she was murdered by her husband, Pastor Matthew Baker.

Come back here after the show and we can discuss.

Article about the online auction on ABPNews.com

2011-04-19T19:00:00.001-05:00

Online auction to raise legal fees for custody battle
Associated Baptist Press
Bob Allen

The Dulins, who have visitation rights with their granddaughters once a month, filed suit seeking custody of the girls. More than a year later, with legal bills mounting, a group of friends stepped forward to organize a fund raiser through a “Justice for Kari” website and Twitter.

Donations of used items, services and cash are rolling in for an online auction scheduled May 21-22. Bidding will start at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, and continue until 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 22. Donations will be accepted until May 15, but organizers said making them sooner rather than later will help with cataloguing. (read more)

Thanks, Bob for noticing this on the blog and letting the world know via ABPNews.com!

Donations rolling in.....

2011-04-17T09:41:00.058-05:00

Thanks so much everyone!! Just wanted to let you guys know about some of the wonderful donations that have come in for the May 21 & 22 Online Auction.

***Scroll down to see all the *NEW* private donations*** =)

*NEW* Awesome youth bluegrass band, Third Rail, has donated musical entertainment for a party, event, or BBQ
*NEW* ESPN Radio - donated 2 tickets to the Rangers vs Houston Astros game on June 21 in Arlington
*NEW* West Lake Monogram (Dennis Webb) - Will embroider 6 "Texas" (red/white/blue) caps with "I helped Kari's kids" on the front AND a new Game Guard BCB-240 cooler bag and will embroider a name on it.
*NEW* PAT GREEN FANS, ARE YOU SITTING DOWN?! Pat is donating a guitar and will add personalized autograph to the highest bidder! Waco celebs are 2nd to none!!
~ Sporthooks.com - created a rack that reads "Love Triumphs Evil"

~   Scentsy : Nikki Ellison - Scentsy gift bag to include single scent, room spray and hanging freshener
~   The Pampered Chef : Darla Cannon - a barbeque turner (spatula)
~   Homemade Gourmet : Melodee and Gordon Austin - Classic Favorites Collection - homestyle spaghetti sauce mix, garlic basil seasoning, jalapeno bacon cheddar dip mix, & sunday roast seasoning.
~   Rosati's Authentic Chicago Pizza - Gift card
~   KGKK Photography (Owner Dana Carver) - Waco area photo shoot at highest bidder's choice location
~   Chariots of Fire Limousine Service - 2 hours of limo time

~   Roger Olson donated a signed copy of his book "Questions to all your Answers: The Journey from Folk Religion to Examined Faith"
~   $100 gas gift card
~   Cameron Park Zoo - Zoo passes!
~   Outdoor Connection, Inc. (Global company based out of Hewitt, TX) - a plethora of awesome gear items - Binoor camera strap, 2 GO bags (green, black), 2 canvas bags (gray, green), pink bag and camo Bummer seat. These are heavy-duty, outdoor items. Most of them are guaranteed forever. QUALITY stuff!
~   Mandee (owner of new shop in town) Sweet-n-Sassy Designs - A cupcake/cake decorating party for 10
~ The Grape - $25 gift card
~ Tish Smith with uppercase living - donated a beautiful "beautiful" decorative plate <---Love this!
~  Neat as a Pin! Organizing Experts - Jennifer Snyder (owner/organizer) has donated 4 hours of her time

~ La Bella Candle Company of Boerne, Texas: 3" Hand-poured candle in jar with lid initialed "L" and "B" with two wicks, scent of gardenias
~ Crooked Creek Candles (owner Anna Rowell) in Lorena, TX - awesome gift basket
~ My sweet friend, and New York best selling author, Wendy Corsi Staub is donating a couple signed books!
~ Pom at Bangkok Royal has donated a dinner for two at his downtown restaurant
~ Gourmet Gallery - Cooking Class
~ Reed's Flowers donated a plant
~ Sironia has just provided us with a great package of gifts
~ Author-signed books: My Reading Life by Pat Conroy & The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
~ Tiffany Bolton has provided a night at the Czech Inn, dinner in West and a bottle of wine
~ Kelly Young (http://www.deconstructed-design.com/ in Austin) has given us a one of a kind piece

~ Creighton Bennett & Associates - 10 knockout roses and 1, 15 gallon crape myrtle (nearly $400 retail!)
~ Collage Boutique - whimsical tshirt
~ The Beauty Shop (Basy Barrera - Kari's hairdresser) - Cut and color
~ Harley Davidson Round Rock - Vintage ladies short-sleeve, button up HD shirt
~ Wesley Chapel Tri Team & Personal Training (Florida) - 4 sessions of personal training
~ Infinity Pilates & Yoga - 1 month pass good for 10 group classes
~ The Mane Event - Beauty Services
~ Power of Massage (C.J. Harper, R.M.T.) - massage
~ Linda R. - 1 hour, in-house dog training
~ Jaqueline Abney (Master Dog Groomer) - Dog grooming certificates

* If you are are business that has made a donation and I don't have your logo, please email it to me at JusticeForKari@gmail.com

Private donations so far include:

*NEW* French Horn ($200 value)
*NEW* Royal Doulton Stanwyck fine china (Service for 12 -minus what the movers broke with some serving pieces), new set of stainless silverware, water and tea goblets
*NEW* "Rockabye" Doll - beautiful, life-like, life size doll (Retails $198.00)
~ Tall white wicker shelf
~ Portable sewing machine
~ Collection of Indian dolls circa 60s
~ Bubble gum machine
~ Some 33 & 45 records. Yes, that's right. VINYLS!!!!
~ Box of games (2 Taboo - brand new, Trivial Pursuit, Outburst)
~ Sony compact hi-fi stereo system
~ An incredible music box snow globe depicting a nativity scene
~ Stay overnight in a guesthouse on Medina Mountain and treated to breakfast before starting your day in our part of the Texas Hill Country
~ BAYLOR FANS: Gallon Pak 16 oz. Dr. Pepper commemorating 1974 SCC Baylor Bears. Bottles are full unopened & mint condition! Amazing donation!!
~ Stunning 14 kt yellow gold 1.2" earrings shaped like a bird cage with heart danglets
~ Linda R's (Grandmother's traditional recipe) famous homemade French chocolate mousse for 12
~ Charles M. Russell, Word Painter: Letters 1887-1926 - Illustrated with sketches or small paintings.Loads of jewelry from one donor
~ A gently used sectional sleeper sofa was donated
~ New "Home Trends" Regulator clock
~ New "Impressions" ceiling fan, bought new, never taken out of box. 52" four blades, bright brass finish* ~ Set of three brightly painted Mexican suns bought in Cuernavaca
~ Ceramic cross bought in Cuernavaca. Painted orchid with pinkish flowers and orange and black Monarch butterfly in the center.
~ Jeeves and Wooster 4-DVD set in case. 23 episodes of the hit A&E series starring Hugh Laurie (of House) and Stephen Fry (of Gosford Park)
~ Eclectic collection of 7 fun hats for girls
~ Toppers Roll Ups to pack and compactly carry toiletries
~ Small brocade kittens make-up bag. Olive green vinyl and canvas piping and trim. Inside snap and elastic pocket, mirror on top of lid.
~ Several formal/semi formal dresses
~ Donation from Sharon Reed, friend and fellow church member of the Dulins has offered 2 sets of lessons:
Basics of Crochet
Learn the basic crochet stitches: chain, single crochet, and double crochet. Minimum of 3 hours, to be taught in several lessons at your house in Waco. Includes 1 skein of yarn and 1 hook.
Beyond Double Crochet
Want to learn how to make a Granny Square? Want help deciphering a pattern? Maximum of 3 hours, total, to be taught in several sessions at your house in Waco.
~ Someone in France has just donated a very good bottle of Chateau Canon
~ Lots of worn-once clothing and shoes
~ A CD/DVD carrying case
~ 21kt gold & diamond necklace, a gold ring, some costume pearl earrings. Thanks AH!
~ Anonymous donor: several pieces of antique furniture, a tea service and an antique Singer sewing machine with all original parts and working
~ A CPA has offered to prepare an individual tax return for the the 2010 (if not already filed) or 2011 tax year.
~ Bicycle rack, some notecards and a couple of baseball "wobble heads"
~ A vase and piece of artwork
~ Incredible antiques donated: Rolltop desk circa 1900, tea server, original working Singer sewing machine and table, 1 John Boat with 2 chairs in perfect operating condition and no breaks, chips, cracks, etc
~ 2 very unique sterling silver rings
~ A beautiful pair of gold and diamond earrings!
~ Someone donated a day of fishing and barbecue on their 3 stocked ponds in Waco
~ A life-size Santa Claus poster
~ 5 gorgeous framed Renoir prints; not posters. They feel like a painting. Also a tapestry & a Johnny Cash poster.
~ Jennifer spoiled us with some home artifacts, antique shoe molds, a collection of penguins, some 'Radioheads' t-shirts but most of all...an amazingly stunning antique lace dress as well as some handmade media collage cards from her label http://www.jblackdesigns.etsy.com/
~ We have a series of art, crafts, & creativity books; thanks Brenda
~ Autographed copy of "Pearl Harbor: A novel of December 8th" by Newt Gingrich & William R. Forstchen signed by Newt, first ed. 2007
~ Signed copy of The Virtues of Aging by Jimmy Carter
~ Julie O. gave a small painting of a horse by the famous Houston artist Cisco Tucker Kolkmeier http://t.co/c9WTT4X A true collectible!
~ A vintage wedding gown and veil (circa 1979) Size 8 in excellent condition
~ A GE 25" TV with remote
~ Suit jackets for men
~ Wine Cooler (not the beverage......a wine bottle cooler)
~ Case of wine
~ Sportsbag, a pencil set and an exquisite silver bracelet engraved with Psalm 91:11
~ 4 passes to US House of Representatives Gallery in DC
~ Homemade jewelry
~ Purses
~ Picnic double bottle carrier for wine w/ fancy corkscrew
~ Collectors' item: 20 year old Rolex watch with papers
~ Painting
~ Barge party!
~ Candles
~ Rustic child’s desk (way cute)
~ Rustic wooden 10-gallon aquarium stand
~ A set of china, some dishes, a huge antique wall hanging
~ Ten, 10oz. candles fragrance of choice were donated by a local candle maker
~ A LOT of excellent quality costume jewelry including Dior & Lalique
~ A dear friend of Kari's has given multiple family/individual photo sessions on location in the Dallas area or Waco.
~ Portofino's gift certificate
~ Computer training
~ Dinner parties
~ Basket of books
~ Pet items
~ Water filter

*Not sure if the donated books are hardcover or paperback...but it will be made clear on the auction website. ;)

Will be adding to this last as they come in! If you own a business or know someone that owns a business, consider donating something to the auction! Ask around. If you can provide a service......consider donating some time! If you have things laying around the house that you're done with and they are still in good condition......consider donating!
Be creative!
Big or small......all is welcome! Email me at JusticeForKari@gmail or Linda R. at DulinFans@gmail.com.

THANKS, EVERYONE!

Alright Dulin Fans.....

2011-04-13T21:37:00.003-05:00

The same great heart that produced the Justice for Kari stickers has struck again with another wonderful, fruitful way to help the Dulins in their quest to soon raise Kensi and Grace to be the whole, healed, precious daughters of Kari. i received the following email yesterday and want to share it with everyone:

Dear Friends of Jim and Linda Dulin, I know I don’t have to remind you that Jim and Linda lost their precious daughter, Kari, in April 2006. Not only is this the most horrible nightmare a parent can experience, but they soon realized that the events surrounding her death were very suspicious. Because they could not enlist the help of the Hewitt Police, the Dulins and family members began their own investigation. Eventually, Jim and Linda hired private investigators, an attorney and filed a civil “wrongful death” lawsuit.

In March of 2009, the District Attorney’s office became officially involved and indicted Matt Baker, the Dulin’s former son-in-law, for murder. He was convicted and sentenced to 65 years in prison in January of 2010. While there is long sigh of relief in seeing that a murderer has been held accountable for his crime, Jim and Linda are still in the middle of their fight for justice.

You see, for the Dulins this was about saving their granddaughters. In Texas, a parent does not lose parental rights for murdering his spouse----the mother of his children. Matt Baker gave guardianship of his children to his parents, people who claim their son’s innocence to this day and tell their granddaughters that their father is innocent and will be coming back to Kerrville. The Dulins want to bring their granddaughters home to Waco to heal. They want them to get the professional help they need---to grieve---to feel safe to love all of their family----to just be children. Instead, their contact with their granddaughters is limited to one weekend a month, visitation they had to fight for in court.

I’m sure you can imagine not only the emotional costs of this ordeal, but also the financial burdens. Linda and Jim will not state how much they have spent, but friends know that it is a great deal. However, the Dulins say they are blessed that they have been able to find what they need to move forward. Nonetheless, as the legal battle for custody continues, the financial burdens mount for Jim and Linda. And we ….their friends…..want to help. We would love it if you would, too.

We are going to have an online auction May 21-22. In order to have items to sell, we would appreciate YOUR DONATIONS. Let us help you take items off your hands that are still in good shape for others! You can also provide a service, like a dinner in your home, or a training in your field, an hour of your time. And, of course, we’ll accept money! SPREAD the word through email, tweets, and Facebook to encourage others to donate. Let’s help Linda and Jim provide the resources to fight for their granddaughters and bring them home!

To provide goods, services or moneys, or for more information, please contact Linda Reichenbach at [Email JusticeForKari@gmail.com for Linda R.'s info] no later than May 15; the sooner the better so we can get them catalogued and ready to place online to prepare for bidding.

Then of course, we would love for you to go bid on other items on the day of the auction. The sale will begin at 8 am on the 21st of May and end at 5 pm the 22nd. We urge you to pass this message along. Let people know about this. We will mail items to people who don’t live in the Waco/McLennan county area. You don’t have to leave your house; just bid right from your computer. How fun is this!!!

Everyone has expressed sympathy and questioned how they can help; this is how. Share this information with as many people as possible. Thank you for caring.

The Dulin Fan Club

There has already been a great start with some generous donations of services and goods for the auction already pledged. This is going to be such a wonderful success. Any amount of monies or goods/services donated is a step towards that success. Any local businesses that care to donate to the auction and would let me, I'd like to give back with a little free "THANK YOU" advertising on this blog. You can email me your link (text or graphic) to your website or if you don't have a website, just your graphic would be great. I'd like everyone to know and celebrate together with those who have gathered to help the Dulins in their quest to bring the girls home to the loving and healthy family they so deserve. Please email me with any questions and to get in touch with Linda R. on how/where/when to donate.

And don't forget the other end of this: May 21 & 22 - Join us and bid, bid, bid on the online auction! Don't have even get out of your jammies or leave the house. Come and bid on your favorite items and services! Tell everyone you know! I'll provide a link to the auction website as soon as it's ready.

You can follow Linda R.'s Twitter Updates at: https://twitter.com/dulinfans

5 years

2011-04-07T18:05:00.004-05:00

It's been 5 years since the Dulin's lost their one and only daughter and sister. 5 years since her family lost their precious, vivacious granddaughter, cousin, aunt and niece. 5 years since Spring Valley lost one of their stellar, loving teachers and 5 years since many lost their dear, if not best, friend. The most heartbreaking loss is that 5 years ago tonight, Kensi and Grace had their mother ripped from their lives, hearts and memories. Well, very soon they will be in the safe and loving environment they need in order to heal and love and remember their amazing Mother.

I'm cut and pasting something from last year's post on this anniversary of Kari's death. I think this is forefront in everyone's minds today:

This is my prayer for the girls:

That you will be free to remember and love your Mother.

That you will be free to love your Mom’s family, especially your grandparents.....and know that it is only by loving that you can heal.

When the time and circumstances are right, you will learn the truth about how your Mom died.....you will be able to accept the truth.....and heal.

That you will be able to love your dad after recognizing and accepting the truth.....again, it is only through love that we can heal.

That you will grow into healthy and whole young women.....fully of joy and life, just like your mother.

That you will know now and always just how special you are and how incredibly loved you are.

Continuance

2011-04-03T15:18:00.007-05:00

Suit alleges abuse by Matt Baker's parents

WacoTrib.com
Tommy Witherspoon

In an article in the Waco Tribune Herald by Tommy Witherspoon last week, 2 bombs were dropped:
1)

At least six former foster children who lived in the Baker home in Kerrville in the 1970s are listed as potential witnesses in the custody battle between Kari Baker’s parents, Jim and Linda Dulin, of Woodway, and Matt Baker’s parents, Oscar and Barbara Baker. Court documents filed by the Dulins in the custody case in Kerrville allege “the Bakers have abused children left in their care in the past.” (read more)

Well, this CERTAINLY puts more urgency to having this entire matter examined thoroughly and without delay, doesn't it? Of course, at this time, these are just allegations by the former Baker foster children. But it does make you wonder and worry while we wait for the trial. Prayers going up.

2)

Court records show the judge approved the Bakers’ motion to postpone the trial, at least in part, to give a San Antonio psychologist more time to complete her evaluations of both sets of grandparents and their granddaughters, Kensi, 15, and Grace, 10. (read more)

Well, so much for urgency! Postpone. Put off. Duck. Hide. It can only go on for so long. This particular postponement by the Bakers was "at least in part" to give the San Antonio psychologist more time? Obviously since this was not the Dulin's request, but the Baker's request for a continuance with the Court, they are the ones with the hold up with the psychological evaluation. What is the problem?? It seems to me that all parties would WANT to get this heard in court for the benefit of Kensi and Grace. Why keep these children in limbo? This is the third continuance in this case. THE THIRD. I know Linda and Jim have been ready to go to trial for a long time. I’m just asking.....What’s up???

While my heart wants this whole thing over with as quickly as possible with the girls safe and secure in thier Mother's family's arms.....if the Baker's want another continuance (with all that comes with it), BRING IT ON!
New court date: July 5, 2011

Quick Post

2011-03-31T06:20:00.002-05:00

Much going on and some things being made public after yesterday. Have to go to work now but will update tonight. I've had several emails from people across the nation that have been hearing news stories. If you have something to share, shoot me an email and I can include it tonight. Real quick: There has been a continuance on the custody trial until July 5. But you know what? That's OKAY. More than OKAY. Look at what blessings have rained down after each and every continuance thus far....in the criminal murder trial with Matt and with this custody trial as well. God is working. Boy, is He working.

House Bill 3546 "Kari's Law"

2011-03-25T19:18:00.004-05:00

Diligent. Steadfast. Resolute. Gutsy. Wise. Loving.

While these words are often used to describe Kari's loving and dedicated family, today I am using these words to describe Tom and Jan Purdy. It is because of their deep love, amazing efforts and heartfelt tenacity over the last year, that House Bill 3546 has been introduced to the Texas House of Representatives' floor.

You may not recognize the bill by the name of House Bill 3546 so let's call it by its original name......."Kari's Law." Our Texas House Representative, Charles "Doc" Anderson, of McLennan County has introduced House Bill 3546 to the floor.

There was an editorial in the Waco Tribune Herald on Wednesday, March 23 titled "EDITORIAL: Giving greater meaning to Kari Baker's life and death is now up to state legislators." I can't link it because I don't have a paid subscription to view online. But a couple great points on there:

The Purdys based their uphill campaign on a 2010 story by then-Tribune-Herald staff writer Erin Quinn about how local justices of the peacehave sole discretion on whether to order autopsies, even if they lack credentials to know better. JPs get about six hours of training in determining the causes and circumstances in a death — hardly reassuring.
and
We remember seeing bumper stickers on cars and trucks at Matt Baker’s January 2010 trial: “Justice for Kari.” However, if the wisdom behind this bumper sticker isn’t embraced by Texans for the benefit of other victims and their families, we will have sold justice short. “If this need isn’t met, something like this could happen again,” Tom Purdy told us this week. “It is too easy to commit murder, make it look like suicide and get away with it.”

And from the blog Central Texas Personal Injury Trial Lawyers, comes the following info:

Texas law at that time stated that an “inquest meant an investigation into the cause and circumstances of the death…, and a determination, made with or without a formal court hearing, as to whether the death was caused by an unlawful act.” Texas Code of Crim. Pro §49.01. Moreover, a justice of the peace could conduct the “inquest…at any other place determined to be reasonable by the justice.”

In the Baker case, this meant that the presiding justice of the peace was able to investigate Kari Baker’s death and determine the cause via a late night phone call from the responding police officers without getting out of bed. Finally, a justice of the peace had the sole discretion of whether to order an autopsy. Texas Code of Crim.
Pro §49.10.

With all of the other duties of a justice of the peace –performing marriages, issuing warrants, setting bail, conducting criminal and civil trials-it seems that determining death is one duty that should be void of discretion and ultimately up to a medical professional. Accordingly, this Bill and its author are worthy of support.

AMEN!!!

So.......you're sitting there asking, "What can I do to help?" Glad you asked. If you live in Texas, you can call your representatives and voice your support. A simple, quick phone call saying, "My name is ______ _______ and I live in ______, TX. I want to voice my support of House Bill 3546." They note it AND IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

The Waco Tribune Herald editorial lists our representatives for us in McLennan County to call.
State Representative Charles "Doc" Anderson, R-Waco:
House District 56
Capitol Office: EXT E2.502
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0135
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910Austin, TX 78768
District Address: 900 Austin Avenue, Suite 804Waco TX 76701
Phone: (254) 754-3892

State Representative Marva Beck, R-Centerville:
House District 57
Capitol Office: EXT E1.310
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0508
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910Austin, TX 78768
District Address: P.O. Box 2910Austin TX 78768

Senator Brian Birdwell, R-Grandbury:
Senate District 22
Capitol Office: EXT E1.708
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0122
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station Austin, TX 78711
District Address: 900 Austin Ave, Suite 500Waco TX 76701
Phone: (254) 772-6225

If you live in Texas, you can look up your representative's contact info at the Texas Legislature Online. Look about half way down on the right, blue box and put your address in and it will give you the names and contact info of your representatives. If you can, take 5 minutes to make a couple quick calls. They need to know this is a very, very important bill to their constituents.

It looks like there's a way on the TLO site that you can track a bill. I'll find out how and post that here for you all so you can keep up to date on this bill on its way to becoming law!

Sweet Email

2011-03-02T06:34:00.002-06:00

Just wanted to share another sweet and insightful email received through the blog.

TEAM.....Dulin!!!!! God bless you indeed....keep on keepin on Linda and all the other "angels"! Signs of the times show it's not too far off that "every tear be wiped away".....

I thanked her for her email and asked if she knew the Dulins.

No, I don't know them personally, but feel almost as though I do...... I can just see they are very good and dear people. I watched the double 48 hrs. broadcast a couple times, and have been reading everything I can about it ever since. Kari was so beautiful, and I am just so sure she was just that way on the inside too! I have cried for Kari and for all those that love and miss her. My thoughts are often on this senseless and cruel tragedy. I give my continued prayers for the Dulins and those around them, and that the girls come to live with the Dulins, where the truth be instilled in them and they can heal.
Warmest regards,
J.L. from Pennsylvania

Kari, Linda and the girls have touched so many hearts. Prayers pouring in from everywhere for truth, love and healing for everyone. Well, the love is already here. Truth and healing are on their way.

Custody Trial Update

2011-02-11T06:53:00.002-06:00

I've had quite a few emails from concerned people about the custody trial so I thought I'd take a second and update.

The custody trial has been moved back to April 5.

Matt now has a court appointed attorney (taxpayers everywhere are delighted @@) and "he needs time to prepare."

But all that said, it's alright! God is leading this journey to save the girls. This rescue mission is right on track. Just as God triumphed in the murder trial, so shall He triumph in this one.

Keep up the prayers, everyone! They are soooooo working!!

2010 - Memorable Quotes from the Associated Baptist Press

2011-01-14T19:20:00.004-06:00

Worth repeating: 2010 -- the year in quotes
Bob Allen
Associated Baptist Press
December 22, 2010

"(ABP) -- Here are some of the more memorable quotes that appeared in Associated Baptist Press stories and commentaries during 2010. " (Read More)

The second most memorable quote of 2010 for the Associated Baptist Press?

"'Love trumps evil.' (Linda Dulin, telling her son-in-law Matt Baker, a former Baptist pastor convicted of killing her daughter in 2006, why she must forgive him.)"

Yes, Linda. Yes, it does. And it will continue to.

The convicted murderer's final straw

2010-11-17T05:39:00.004-06:00

As I said yesterday, this is nothing to be concerned about. The only reason it's news at all is because it's a high profile case. It happens as a matter of course for the guilty to grasp their last proverbial straw.

The Appeals Process

"The appellant's brief must specifically discuss the alleged errors that entitle the appellant to a reversal of the trial court's decision and discuss why each ruling was wrong, citing authority such as a case or statute that applies to the particular point at issue. The appellee may file a brief containing arguments against reversal, discussing why the trial court's ruling was correct. Only conclusions of law, not findings of fact, made by a lower court are reviewable. Appellate courts can decide only issues actually before them on appeal.

The appellate court must decide whether the errors alleged to have been made by the trial court are harmless or prejudicial. If an error substantially injures the rights of the appellant, it is called a prejudicial error, or reversible error, and warrants the reversal of the final judgment or order. If the appeals court determines that the error is technical or minimally affects the rights of the parties or the outcome of the lawsuit, it is considered a Harmless Error and insufficient to require a reversal or modification of the decision of the trial court."

The appeals court does not re-try the case. They simply look at the contentions the murderer has on what he thinks went wrong during his trial.

He complains that Judge Strother was unfair. Whoa, big surprise. Liars and cheats (and murderers) don't like a sharp Judge. Too bad. You shouldn't be on the wrong side of the law.

He complains his counsel was ineffective. We'll, we've beat that poor horse to death. Defense attorneys have actually fallen asleep during a trial........and not be deemed ineffective during an appeal. Nice try, Killer Boy.

He complains that the alternate juror was in the deliberating room for a few minutes. Not against protocol. Are we going spend tens of thousands of tax dollars letting all the murderers appeal when this protocol has taken place? Even Matt's only lawyer admits it's not unusual. Poor guy. Stuck to Matt like this. And besides, that alternate juror DID NOT SPEAK, DID NOT GESTURE and was only in there a few minutes of the 7+ hours it took to deliberate. Did Matt forget that she was the one that had to leave before dark because she couldn't see to drive at night. This was in January. Gets dark pretty danged early in January. I forget the timeframe now but I believe it was less than an hour she silently sat in there. And THIS is your grand "OMG, See? I'm not guilty ploy???"

Worry not, people of faith and justice. And rejoice. Matt's seemingly enternal "10 minutes" are getting closer to being over. This is one of the final steps. By 2011 the cameras and reporters will have nothing left to cover as far as Matt Baker is concerned. Hear the final "ticks of the clock"?

Matt's appeal is nothing new....

2010-11-16T20:02:00.001-06:00

Convicted Murderer Matt Baker Wants a New Trial

This is nothing new. He's been working on this since the day after his conviction. The only reason it's news is because his lawyer finally turned it in. Had a late day today so I will post more tomorrow.

You can rest. It's nothing.

48 Hours Web Extra - Justice for Kari

2010-10-31T09:59:00.004-05:00

Extra: Justice for Kari

"When Kari Baker's death was ruled a suicide in April 2006, law enforcement thought the case was closed. And it might have been, if not for Kari's mother and a growing circle of family, friends, investigators, attorneys and others who were convinced Kari had been murdered by her husband, Baptist Preacher Matt Baker, and were determined to get justice no matter how long it would take."

Some of the smartest, most tenacious people I know are in this photo. It was an honor to fight for Justice for Kari with each and every one of them. We all continue to work and pray for the final chapter of this "story" to conclude with justice for Kari's girls. Please pray with us.

48 Hours Web Extra - Vanessa Bulls Interrogation

2010-10-31T09:40:00.001-05:00

Extra: Vanessa Bulls Interrogation

"Matt Baker told police he found his wife, Kari, dead in their bedroom with a goodbye note on the nightstand. Kari's family suspects Baker is spending time with a young parishioner. Four months after Kari's death, police question Vanessa Bulls about her relationship with the Baptist preacher. They believe she knows more than she's saying."

As much as Matt astounds me with his calm, indifferent air, I think Vanessa might top him. Not only is she indifferent, she has the most chilling way of being able to completely remove herself from the horror of which she speaks. I think if I were to discuss with someone a fictional murder of a fictional character in a murder fiction book I read, I'd have more emotion than this woman does talking to police while hiding what she knew about this cruel and premeditated murder of a woman she KNEW......that was murdered basically FOR her.....in the bed she slept with the woman's husband in. She seems completely emotionally unaffected by the murder of Kari. Completely removed from the horror. So matter of fact....are we done....can I go now.

Despite my feelings, I am very grateful to Vanessa for finally coming forward and telling the Judge, jury, Kari's family and the world what she knew about Kari's murder. I know it has changed her life and things are quite possibly almost unbearable for her right now. But I have to stop short of feeling sorry for her. Sure, she was a victim. Sorta. She's about 30% victim. 70% active participant in this tragedy. She could have kept this whole thing from happening. If she had only done what everyone else I know would have done, Kari would still be alive. Kensi and Grace would still have their Mother. But, alas, she did not. Now she has the chance to regain the balance of her life. She has the chance to grow from this. Change. Start over. Do better. Be better. And I pray that she does.

48 Hours Web Extra - Prison Interview with Matt

2010-10-31T08:57:00.001-05:00

Matt Baker Talks to "48 Hours"
"In January 2010, Matt Baker was convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to 65 years in prison. Nearly nine months later, Erin Moriarty interviewed him at the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas - his fourth interview with '48 Hours.' Baker continues to maintain his innocence."

It is truly amazing that even after 9 months of not much else to do but think of what he did wrong, he STILL cannot keep his stories straight. The looks on Erin's face as he continues to morph his story are priceless.

Hang up that phone. Walk back into your little white jumpsuit world, Matt Baker. We're done with you. And Kari lives on......despite your greatest efforts.

Thank You, Websleuths.com!

2010-10-30T16:44:00.004-05:00

If you haven't already found the best and busiest true crime discussion board around, then you're in for a new treat. Check out Websleuths.com right now! I joined this forum last January just before the trial. There has been an ongoing thread discussing our case since at least 2007 called The Preacher's Wife -- Suicide or Murder?

The owner of Websleuths.com is a true sleuth and an all around amazing person! She has our case highlighted on the front page. Take a look.

Fellow WS member JusticeInWaco is an amazing advocate for justice in the murder case of Kari Baker. She has been given an exclusive interview with Erin Moriarty of 48 hours. The show airs tonight on CBS. You can read Erin's answers and comment on them on JusticeInWaco’s blog. Currently the case has rendered a conviction with a sentence of 65 yrs in prision for the murder of Kari. Kari's mother and father are seeking custody of Kari's two daughters.
Please read and comment on Kari’s case here.
Tricia Griffith
Owner/Websleuths.com

In the thread titled, The Preacher's Wife -- Suicide or Murder? I was asked this question earlier this week:

"So, Justice in Waco is Erin as cool in real life as she seems on TV?"

Thought I'd share my answer with you guys here, too:

Yes! My first "time spent" with Erin, her producers and her crew was in January of 2008. I was nervous as all get out to sit down on camera with Erin Moriarty! OMG is not a strong enough phrase. LOL But within minutes, I was completely at ease. Not ready for the interview to be over with actually. Like I said on the blog last night, she and her entire team are the epitome of complete professionalism and complete human-ness. The Producer told me later on the phone that when I was done, there wasn't a dry eye in the house...including cameramen. I don't say to make myself look like "wow" but to show how EVERYONE involved in this story, on all sorts of ends, can't help but be touched by Kari....and her "spirit" that surrounds every single person that fought for her justice.

I don't know if you all know this but someone from 48 Hours (almost always Producer Lisa Freed, sometimes AP Elena DiFiore, and sometimes Erin) was at most of the hearings the year before the actual trial. They would fly down from New York so as not to miss a thing.....get the info and the experience first hand! I honestly can say that they were the only news/investigative journalism team/network to do this. (Correcting this to say the only non-local group to do this. I also want to give a grateful "shout out" to Waco Tribune Herald reporter, Tommy Witherspoon on this. He was most certainly one of THE MOST dedicated reporters during the entire 4+ years....and continuing. Love ya, Tommy!) So I got to spend a little time with these guys at those times. And then they were here during the over-a-week-long trial. Again, very professional. Yet very human. VERY easy to talk to and be with. A fascinating group of very caring, top-notch journalists/reporters.

My experience (and I'll go so far as to speak for Kari's family on this as well) with 48 Hours was far more compassionate than I/we ever imagined it could be. I enjoyed 48 Hours before this. I enjoy AND respect it now ten-fold for having had the chance to personally get to know many of them.

Anyway, that's it for now. After the show airs, 48 Hours will be releasing three web extras. They will, of course, be on their website. I will also put them on the blog as soon as they release them. They will be GOOD ONES!

Matt Baker: Texas Preacher's Interview Used as Evidence in Murder Trial

2010-10-30T09:44:00.006-05:00

In Erin's Crimesider report, she shares with us the dilemmas she faced over the years with various interviews she did with Matt. Some even in the presence of his attorney. Matt's stories constantly change before her eyes.....and on camera. Yet he's unabashedly bold in his lies....as if he doesn't remember he's been interviewed before and gave completely contradictory statements at those previous interviews. I mean, seriously, is HE that stupid or does he think the ENTIRE REST OF THE WORLD is that stupid? I know. I know. This is how a classic sociopath relates to the world. I am still just stymied by the behavior.

I know Vanessa Bull's testimony probably tied the final knot in Matt's noose. But Matt Baker himself provided the rope. Time and time again.

Matt Baker: Texas Preacher's Interview Used as Evidence in Murder Trial
Posted by Erin Moriarty

"So weeks after our first interview, we knew we had to go back to Baker and ask him about the incriminating evidence against him. This time, I thought, 'He'll never talk.' I was wrong. Again, he sat down for an interview. This time, attorney Gray was at his side. We were very honest with both of them about the dilemma we faced as reporters. Baker lived in Texas, a state without a strong reporter's shield law. I might be forced to hand over my interviews to an aggressive prosecutor.
Did he still want to talk? I asked. Yes, he said. Was he concerned that something he said could be used against him at trial? No problem, I was told. Baker assured me that he was telling the truth and had nothing to worry about. And again, he went into great detail about his wife's death. This time, however, some of the facts had changed. And he denied in this interview as he did in the first that he had been involved in an affair at the time of his wife's death." (Read More)

Angels and Devils: Texas Monthly - Skip Hollandsworth

2010-10-29T19:16:00.003-05:00

Angels and Devils
CBS’s 48 Hours fills in the final chapters of the notorious Matt Baker.

by Skip Hollandsworth
November 2010

EXCELLENT piece by Skip! You must go and read the complete piece. But I will tease you with both the first paragraph and the last. ;)

"Reporters hate to get beat, but I have to tip my hat to Erin Moriarty of CBS’s 48 Hours. Tomorrow evening, on Saturday, October 30, CBS is broadcasting back-to-back 48 Hours Mystery programs that examine the case of Matt Baker, the Baptist preacher in Waco who went from talented, up-and-coming pastor to grieving husband whose wife committed suicide to murder suspect maintaining his innocence to convicted killer."
-and-

"In the end, of course, the most riveting character is Matt Baker. He gave plenty of interviews from the beginning of this saga and, incredibly, agreed to sit down with Moriarty for one last post-trial interview. She decimates him with her questions, especially when she asks why Vanessa would come forward with a story that ultimately won over the jury at trial. She also asks him, point-blank, 'Are you ready to finally admit you killed your wife?' Matt’s answer, and the way he looks at Moriarty as he says it, is worth the price of admission alone."

I totally agree. 48 Hours was more dedicated than I could have ever imagined they would be. And I cannot wait to see tomorrow night's shows.

I'll try to find a working link to Skip's original TM story and post it here.

Sneak-peek to beat all sneak-peeks....

2010-10-29T05:47:00.006-05:00

I have to say, this sneak-peek is so moving.....so powerful. It's short....but I had to pause it several times just out of emotion. I am just in awe of every single person that fought for the truth and for justice for Kari. Linda Dulin is just such a spiritual hero to me. The way her faith has been strengthened through this is so tragically beautiful. It's easy to get wrapped up in the taudry and vile aspects of this story of adultry, lies and murder. But let us not lose focus in doing so. God has been ever so present and so strong during this time. I know, I know.....it seemed like such a long time coming. But every thing worked out His way and in His time and THAT is why Matt Baker's evil deeds were brought to the light as they were and THAT is why he was convicted of murdering Kari and spending the rest of his life behind bars. God is good. All the time. His presence in the courtroom was palpable. So strong. His lessons of faith and patience and trust through this are not to be forgotten or minimized.

Incredible sneak-peek. Incredible reporting. Have some Kleenex handy.

48 Hours Sneak Peek: Dirty Little Secrets
A preacher's wife is found dead. Now, the "other woman" reveals his dark, murderous secrets. Erin Moriarty reports Saturday, Oct. 30 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

My Email-Interview with Erin Moriarty

2010-10-28T20:28:00.009-05:00

Last week, Lisa Freed, producer with 48 Hours, and I were communicating via email. She mentioned that if I would like to email interview Erin Moriarty, send her some questions and Erin would be happy to answer them for my blog. Well, of course, I took them up on it. I must say that Erin, Producer Lisa Freed and their ENTIRE crew are the epitome of complete professionalism AND complete human-ness. These people care. They really do. And they fight hard to find the truth. Their dedication to this case still astounds me.

I sent my questions in this morning and got my answers tonight. Thanks, Erin and Lisa. For everything.

Shannon: I understand you interviewed Matt before interviewing anyone else for your original story. If I understand correctly, while you found Matt a little creepy, you thought his story could be plausible. At what point did you begin to have doubts about Matt Baker’s story? At what point did your gut tell you, “This guy murdered his wife”?

EM: We started work on this case in the fall of 2007 with an interview with Matt Baker and several discussions about the evidence with Baker’s attorney Guy James Gray. At that point, both my producer, Lisa Freed, and I thought that there was a possibility that Baker was wrongfully accused of killing his wife. The willingness of a defendant to put his case at risk by talking on camera prior to trial gives him credibility. The more Baker talked, we discovered problems with his version of events and inconsistencies in his stories: was Kari awake when he left her that night or was she asleep? He seemed to change his story from interview to interview. Was he having an affair at the time of Kari’s death? He denied it, but the more we spoke to friends of Kari’s and as more and more evidence developed, it began to look like Baker was being less than honest about his personal life. Baker insisted his wife was depressed prior to his death. While it is true that a doctor prescribed her an anti-depressant, we could not find anyone other than Baker and his mother who said that Kari was depressed. On the contrary, close friends described her excitement about prospects of a new job. Most damaging were the reports that Kari had told a friend and psychologist her fears about her husband’s infidelity. The evidence we were encountering didn’t match the story we were hearing from Baker and his attorney. And Baker was unable to adequately explain the inconsistencies in a follow-up interview.

As a reporter, I can not decide on the guilt or innocence of a defendant. I leave that to the jury. However, by the time we aired our first report on the case, in the spring of 2008, I certainly felt that there was enough evidence to warrant a trial.

Shannon: What were the thoughts running through your mind when you heard Vanessa Bulls testifying at the trial? Was there anything she said that totally caught you by surprise?

EM: I have covered dozens of murder trials over the last twenty years, but I have never witnessed testimony as disturbing and unsettling as I heard Vanessa Bulls give at Matt Baker’s trial. The chilling details she says Matt gave about Kari’s death. The fact that this young woman says she knew about plans to kill Kari and never told anyone. The planning she says that went into the heartless act of murder. And if Vanessa is telling the truth, the incredible cruelty Baker showed his wife when he murdered her. I have never heard anything like that and hope I never do again.

Shannon: What part of Kari's story shocked you most as a seasoned reporter?

EM: There were a number of things about Kari’s story and death that disturbed me as a reporter. I was “shocked” by how easily investigators apparently accepted Matt Baker’s version of events despite questionable evidence at the scene. The failure to collect that evidence, compounded by the decision of the Justice of the Peace to determine the cause of death over the phone instead of coming to the scene, made this case ultimately more difficult to prosecute than it should have been.

I was “shocked” by the number of times over the years when various church officials encountered questionable and disturbing behavior on the part of Matt Baker, but did nothing.

But more than shocked by events in this case, I am saddened. Over the last three years, through Kari’s family and friends, I have gotten to know a woman I never met. Her death is a terrible tragedy.

Shannon: Who do you wish you could interview one last time about the case?

EM: I have one regret about our coverage of this case: that I never got to speak personally to Vanessa Bulls and hear her story for myself.

Shannon: In your opinion, what key mistakes were made from the night of Kari’s murder until the time Matt was finally indicted and then convicted four years later? What actions could have been taken to bring to light the facts of this case sooner?

EM: Numerous serious mistakes and mis-steps occurred on the night of Kari’s death. Investigators didn’t collect enough evidence, nor did they take enough photographs of the scene. Investigators didn’t insist on an interview immediately with Matt Baker. The Justice of the Peace didn’t order an autopsy immediately.

Shannon: You have investigated and covered case after case after case like this. What is your advice to family and friends "crying out for justice" for a loved one?

EM: Kari Baker’s story should serve as a lesson to crime scene investigators and family members of people who die under questionable circumstances. Don’t make assumptions. If you believe someone was murdered, don’t give up trying to find the answers. The Dulin’s decision to sue Matt Baker civilly resulted in evidence that the prosecution could use at trial. The prosecutors and investigators kept after Vanessa Bulls despite her continual denials. The lesson of Kari Baker’s story? Don’t give up fighting for your loved ones.

Back to my thoughts tonight:

To those of you that have emailed me through the blog about fighting for your loved ones...........FIGHT! Investigate! Be the opposite of quiet!

After all....

"The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is a duty of the living to do so for them." ~LM Bujold

Moriarty's Reporter's Notebook

2010-10-28T05:36:00.003-05:00

Check out Moriarty's Reporter's Notebook..... And don't forget 48 Hours, this Saturday, CBS 8-10 CST

Moriarty's Reporter's Notebook

48 Hours Mystery Correspondent Erin Moriarty previews her double feature on the case of Matt Baker- a Texas preacher charged with killing his wife and the "other woman" who exposes his "Dirty Little Secrets."

And she's so right. Once you watch these two hours, you will realize there is no mystery at all what happened to Kari Baker. Well, only one mystery. What the heck took so long?

Lots of goodies coming up before and even after the show airs. Stay tuned....

Comment from Kerrville

2010-10-26T05:27:00.003-05:00

Wanted to share this comment from Kerrville left on the Wondering..... post a couple days ago:

"I live in Kerrville, as a matter of fact, I attend the same church as Matt's parents and deal with his mother through the high school. I check this blog regularly for updates. I read all documents I can on this case. I refuse to be like other members of our church who refuse to see the truth. Anyone who reads as much about this case as I have and does not realize he is guilty, needs to re-read the documents!"

From those that have left comments here and there and/or emailed me directly, I do believe this is the resounding feeling from down Kerrville way. The sheep's clothing has fallen off this wolf. Completely. Permanently.

48 Hours - Saturday, October 30

2010-10-24T19:53:00.002-05:00

The "48 Hours" we have all been looking forward to is almost here. Set your DVR's for this coming Saturday, October 30 for 8-10PM Central. Yes, 2 hours! From what I understand this is 48 Hours first 2 hour, back-to-back special. And goodness........the hours and hours of dedicated footage they had over the years.....squished into 2 hours. I have no doubt it will be nothing short of amazing.

The first hour will be basically a re-cap of "The Preacher's Wife" with some updates. The second hour is named, I think, "Dirty Little Secrets."

I will be posting on teasers, web extras and other goodies throughout the week. Stay tuned.
For now, here's a link:

48 Hours Preview: Dirty Little Secrets

A preacher's wife is found dead. Now, the other woman reveals his dark,
murderous secrets. Erin Moriarty reports on a special double episode, Saturday,
Oct. 30 beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Judge reversals his dismissal of custody case

2010-10-16T10:44:00.006-05:00

The words I left you with last week after Judge's dismissal of the custody case....

"God has a plan. He is in control. Our faith is strong."

Wow! How amazingly has God rewarded his faithful and steadfast children! A huge blessing of wonderful news came yesterday. Judge Emerson has reversed his dismissal of the case and the custody case is back on track....with no delays stemming from last week's events!

Judge reinstates Dulins' case in custody battle for Matt Baker's children
WacoTrib.com
Tommy Witherspoon

"A Kerrville judge Friday reversed his ruling from last week that dismissed a lawsuit in which Kari Baker’s parents were seeking primary custody of their two granddaughters.

The new order, issued by 198th State District Judge M. Rex Emerson, reinstates the custody lawsuit between Jim and Linda Dulin, of Waco, and Oscar and Barbara Baker, of Kerrville, parents of former Baptist minister Matt Baker." (read more)

I will try to find out more about the mysteries surrounding all of this dismissal/reversal of dismissal. If anyone has anything to share or help explain any of this, please feel free to email me at JusticeForKari@gmail.com. In the article, it says that when the Dulins were contacted about this yesterday afternoon, they already knew but could not give comment because of the gag order. When Barbara was contacted about this, she didn't know yet. The Dulins are so very blessed with top notch attorneys that keep them so informed and up to date.

The trial is still on for January. The Judge has also ordered that the children and parties timely initiate counseling and testing as recommended previously. The Dulins have always been in favor of counseling and welcomed any and all studies to help determine the the best, healthiest and healing environment for the girls. Their first court appearance after Kari's death was for a court order for counseling because Matt refused to get them any. After one session, Matt moved the girls to Kerrville and that was the end of that. Adults going through the kinds of ongoing trama the girls have been through would need counseling. Children deserve no less.

Please continue to pray for Kensi and Grace. Also keep the prayers going for wisdom and strength for the Judge and the lawyers involved. And prayers for Linda and Jim and their family......prayers for continued amazing faith, strength and peace.

Wondering.....

2010-10-15T20:05:00.003-05:00

There sure is an awful lot of traffic on the blog from Kerrville today. Hmmm......

Faith sustains....

2010-10-11T07:03:00.002-05:00

A friend of Linda's shared this passage from a book she's reading with her this weekend and Linda passed it on to me. Now, I am sharing it with you. It speaks so boldly about our faith in God and how He manages to sustain us and hold us close even when we don't know how exactly we will carry on.

In the darkest hours of the Warsaw ghetto, as Jewish families witnessed the destruction of their world, a rabbi shared, “You can weep over your suffering until you despair, or you can feel in your weeping that God weeps along with you.” This is my God. Not God who is the source of my suffering. But rather, God who ...shares the burden of my sorrow and who promises me that never need I suffer alone.

God has a plan. He is in control. Our faith is strong.

Note: The Dulin's attorneys immediately filed to find the facts of the judge's decision. At the very least, they deserve to know what he based his quick decision on. I will post more about the hearing later. I have heard from a few people that were there. It's just very bizarre.

Remove Baker's Photo...

2010-08-23T05:49:00.002-05:00

WacoTrib.com's Letters to the Editor - Saturday, August 21, 2010

Remove Baker’s photo
How often do you update the Tribune-Herald ’s online home page?
We are tired of seeing Matt Baker’s picture looking out at us. Please remove his photo!
Seeing that picture every time one pulls up our local news is disgusting. He is getting what was coming to him!

Jo Ann Rowland, Waco

Amen, Jo Ann. Amen.

"A Saturday Adventure"

2010-08-18T07:17:00.003-05:00

One of Kari's childhood BFF's, Jill Valentine Hill, sent this to Linda recently. It is a paper she wrote back in her Freshman composition class at MCC. Linda said, "You can just see them both in this and it describes Kari so well." So at her request and with Jill's permission, I give you:

A Saturday Adventure

I was in the sixth grade and had spent the night with my best friend, Kari Dulin. It was now Saturday and we had the whole day to play together. Kari had always been a free spirit with no concept of time or space. In contrast, I was always the careful planner, mother hen type.

Kari was the one who came up with the idea which sounded good at the time. We would ride her bikes to go visit my boyfriend, Whitt, who “just lived down the street,” Kari told me.

I should have known from the beginningthat this trip would be eventful, when I had to crawl up on her parent’s car to get up on her father’s ten speed bike. Bear in mind I was 4’4” and weighed 70 pounds. Kari hopped up on her proper sized bike and away we went. The first thing I noticed was that the neighbor’s two dogs were following us. I was terrified of big dogs, but had made friends with these. Pedaling was proving to be a problem for me, even on the level street. I could only reach the pedals on their upward rotation and anxiously awaited each time they would circle back within reach.

I was finally getting the hang of it when we decided to walk our bikes and catch our breath. We must have been gone for a least an hour by this time and I asked Kari, “How far is it to the end of the street?” To this she replied, “We’re almost there.”

Suddenly we looked back and saw a terrifying site. Legions of dogs were headed our way. Not only were they barking, they were running toward the bikes and chasing our two female dogs. There were dogs of every kind, from Butch, the Patterson’s three-legged mad dog, to Miss Molly’s teacup poodle, to Dr. West’s three large Dobermans. Added to these were wiener dogs and unidentified mutts of every description.

My heart was pounding as I knew I had to mount the tall bicycle to escape the dog
brigade. I had to think fast. There was no car to crawl on. After several unsuccessful attempts, with the adrenaline pumping and dogs now approaching, I finally reached the seat by stepping up on a curb.

After several minutes of make-do pedaling, I realized that the large crowd of dogs were interested in our female dogs, not in us bicyclers. We finally reached our destination after about a three hour trek. When we went inside to see my boyfriend and his sister, we were told we must leave. Their strict mother would soon be home from work.

We headed back home to Kari’s by the same route. Unfortunately we couldn’t coax our two dog friends to follow. No doubt they were exhausted from the chase. So Kari and I make the trip unaccompanied. About half way home, my bike got a very flat tire. We called my Mom from a friend’s house to come get us. She was furious, having wondered where we were all day. Riding “down the street” to see my boyfriend may not have been such a good idea after all.

They say it's your birthday..........

2010-08-13T06:56:00.004-05:00

It just dawned on me that we both have birthdays on the 13th of the month. I used to think it was so spooky funny when my birthday landed on a Friday the 13th. Can't have bad luck on your birthday, right?

Well, it's another birthday in Heaven for you, Dear Friend. I imagine you and Kassidy and your Grandmother having one heck of a celebration together up there today. Know that your Mom and Dad, brother, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and Kensi and Grace are thinking about you with love and missing you like crazy. One day we will all celebrate together again!

For more Kari birthday love, check out previous birthday posts, photos and comments:

Thoughts of Kari on her Birthday - August 13, 2009

Birthday Thoughts - August 13, 2008

And for some laughter-and-tears memories, check out the Come on....Share a Memory page.

Define: Gag Order

2010-08-06T07:51:00.003-05:00

After ordering home studies of both the grandparents' homes last June, Judge Emerson placed a gag order on both parties.

Kerrville Daily Times - June 18, 2010

Judge Rex Emerson denied the Dulin’s request Tuesday to have ad litem attorney Beverly Crowden removed and replaced with an amicus attorney. He also ordered a study on both of the grandparent’s homes and living environments be completed and placed a gag order on both parties.

San Antonio Express News - June 20, 2010

— A local judge has issued a gag order in the custody fight over Kensi and Grace Baker, whose father, Matt Baker, in January began serving a 65-year prison sentence for killing their mother, Kari Baker, in 2007.

Gag Order (noun)
In litigation, a court’s order to the parties and witnesses not to speak to the press or public about the case.

Seems perfectly clear. Right?

Moving on to this past Tuesday, August 3.

CNN Justice - In Session - August 3, 2010
Verdict Vault, Part 1 (Try to ignore the misspellings and punctuation here. Not my errors.)

TX v. Baker
Matt Baker remains in a Texas state prison, as he serves out his 65 year sentence. He maintains his innocence.
His appellate attorney, Stan Schwieger, is due to turn his first appellate brief later this month to Waco's 10th Court of Appeals.
Baker lost has motion for a new trial in April 2010. Baker had claimed that his trial lawyers of not providing effective assistance of counsel.
Shortly after losing the motion for new trial, Baker also sought to fire Schwieger because he felt that Schwieger was not properly representing him. Baker wanted to represent himself, pro se, in the appealate process, but his request was denied in April.
Barbara Baker, Baker's mother, says Baker spends "a lot of time" in the prison's law library. He works in the cafeteria and helps inmates in need and who ask for his help. For example, he writes letters for one inmate who can read but cannot write; for an inmate who is very ill, Baker asked his own mother to notify the family of the inmate.
Baker's parents and Kari Baker's parents continue to fight for custody of Matt and Kari's children, Kenzi, 14, and Grace,9. The girls have lived with the Bakers since 2006.
According to Barbara Baker, "the girls are doing great...they miss their dad. She said the girls have visited their father twice since he was sentenced. As part of the custody battle, the girls are undergoing psychlogical evaluations and the Bakers and the Dulins are undergoing court ordered home studies.
There is currently a gag order in the civil dispute.

There is? Really?

A Response

2010-07-10T08:29:00.003-05:00

The 20/20 show generated a lot of comments on this blog and other news sources. One comment from Sadie really stands out and says so eloquently what a lot of us are feeling. So I am pulling that comment up into a post as suggested by A_News_Junkie. ;)

"Watching this made me cry for Kari. And for Linda and Jim, and for all of Kari's students and friends and family... and mostly for her precious girls who have been lied to and brainwashed, controlled and exploited by their mother's killer, so shamelessly and for so long.

It's beyond tragic, that a man in a position of trust as a worker for God could harbor this unbelievable level of evil inside. That a man trusted by his wife could set out to utterly and heartlessly destroy her like this; that a man trusted by his little girls could rob them of a normal life; that he would scheme to erase the beautiful love their mother had for them, and they for her; that a man trusted by the family could so hideously betray and destroy that trust and care nothing for their shattered lives and broken hearts.

It is the epitome of EVIL. He not only carried out a heinous, cruel, premeditated murder by tricking his wife, he also proceeded to protect himself from the consequences of his actions by trying to murder her good name and her good memory, and by perverting the love in his children's hearts. He turned them against their mother and taught them to hate those who sought the TRUTH about what he had done. He has controlled the girls' minds and kept them imprisoned in his dark web of lies for all this time (with the help of his mother), effectively forcing them by default to act as unwitting accomplices in his cover-up! My heart breaks for them. That is a violation of the highest order.

Yeah, this made me cry. But I will rejoice with you and the Dulins and all who seek justice, when Kari's girls are brought home, and when their hearts and minds are finally free of the mystification that keeps them from accepting the truth and remembering the love of their mother and their other family.

Justice for Kari, part one: Matt Baker has lost the right to live free in society. He is where he belongs. One day, the girls will be where they belong, too: back in the arms of love. And that will be the fulfillment of Justice for Kari.

Love trumps evil. Oh, yes it does."

If you have general comments or thoughts on the show, feel free to leave a comment on this post. I'll be posting some more specific things throughout the day.

Video from 20/20 - Vanessa Bulls

2010-07-09T19:20:00.003-05:00

Murdering Minister's Lover Tells All
Pastor Matt Baker used sex game to drug wife, former lover Vanessa Bulls says.

WARNING: Matt Baker's description of his wife is not for the ears of children.

The 20/20 Buzz

2010-07-09T08:34:00.005-05:00

There is much talk, chat, articles, blog posts and comments in the air as everyone anticipates sitting down and watching 20/20's update tonight. I thought I'd share some links here. If you find some in your local papers or websites or anywhere else, please comment on this post or email me and I'll include them here.

Was Pastor's Double Life Motive for Murder?
20/20 - By JIM AVILA, SUNNY ANTRIM and JOANNE NAPOLITANO

When asked by Crawford Long if Matt Baker ever told her anything about Kari's death, he said, Bulls confessed to an affair with the preacher and knowledge of his alleged plans to kill his wife. "'Yes, he told me he killed her because of me,'" Long recalled her saying.

Why Would a Popular Baptist Minister Murder His Wife?
ABC News Press Room

In an exclusive television interview from prison, ABC News Correspondent Jim Avila talks to Matt, the popular Baptist minister from Waco, Texas, convicted of murdering his wife and staging it as a suicide.

20/20 to air update on pastor convicted of murder
Bob Allen - Associated Baptist Press

He was indicted in 2009 after a female member of his church who first denied having an inappropriate relationship with Baker changed her story and told authorities the two were having an affair and that Baker told her he killed his wife so they could be together.
Crawford Long and Susan Shafer, assistant district attorneys in McLennan County, Texas, recently published a detailed account in an online trade journal of allegations by their star witness, Vanessa Bulls, that helped convince a jury to, on its first ballot, unanimously find the former preacher guilty of murder.

20/20 to air update on Matt Baker story
Christa Brown - StopBaptistPredators.com

According to investigators, Baker had also spent years living "a secret life as a sexual predator." Yet, despite multiple allegations of sexual assault and abuse, he was always able to move on through churches, schools and organizations affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.No one stopped him.Not until he was put on trial for murder did people in the pews finally learn about the sexual abuse and assault allegations against him.

ABC's 20/20 to feature report on Baker
WacoTrib.com

A 19th State District Court jury convicted Baker of murder in January in the April 2007 drugging and suffocation death of his 31-year-old wife at their Hewitt home.

Then there are countless websites that are posting about this that refer back to other articles, either AP, or ABP or the WacoTrib:

ReligionNewsBlog.com
BaylorInformation.com
Facebook - Texas Monthly
TheGospelNewsWire.com
BaptistPlanet.com

20/20 Teaser

2010-07-07T09:41:00.011-05:00

Why Would Preacher's Wife Commit Suicide?
"When devoted mother Kari Baker is found dead, suspicions surround her husband."

There is video footage in this that I haven't seen before. There are some great pictures/videos of Kari and the girls. And then there are a couple of the "closed-eye" (non-flattering) pictures of Kari that were probably submitted by Matt's mother as she has done in the past to continue to try to disparage Kari's image/memory.

But as in life, the good way outshadows the bad.

20/20 - Friday, July 9

2010-06-30T14:32:00.006-05:00

Just got word that 20/20 will be airing their update show on Friday, July 9th. This will include material from the trial and also their prison interview with Matt.

I'm sure after this Friday's show on another topic, this link to their main page will start showing material related to this case.

She speaks for many.....

2010-06-17T15:23:00.002-05:00

I found this wonderful post on an online message board that talks about this case quite a bit. Great forum! I PM'd the author and told her who I was (she sounded like she already knew....is a reader of this blog) and asked if I could share what she wrote here. So with permission:

I still try to find information on this case and it never ceases to amaze me the degree of dysfunction that still appears to be going on in it. I came across this article when trying to see what was decided with the precious children. http://tinyurl.com/34bfx2h
A few quotes:
Barbara added Matt’s 14-year-old daughter is expected to testify in Wednesday’s hearing after researching the amicus attorney aspect. “She’s ready to say I do not want an amicus, we have what we need,” Barbara said of her granddaughter. “She understands what she says is legal and will be written down, and is OK with it. She’s very mature for her age. “The Dulins have a feeling they cannot control Beverly Crowdin, and they like to control everybody in the case,” Barbara added. “If they can’t, they try to get rid of them."

What child would know or speak of this? Why are these children prepared to testify? Why are they not being shielded from adult matters? Why are they not being told that the judge will decide where you can best heal, grow, learn and flourish in spite of what has happened and either way-- you are blessed little girls with two sets of grandparents whom love you and want the best for you?

What bothers me is the way that matt and his mother have always attacked the Dulin family and continue to do so even in light of the trial. If they say these things publicly about the maternal grandparents and the victim - my God, I can only imagine what is said privately. Is this not alienation? I sure hope a court will see that these girls are in continuing danger and what appears to be brainwashing. Makes me want to ask barbara baker, is matt more important than these girls? Why try to take even more from them that what they have already lost? Why not allow them to love the grandparents whom they loved dearly (by all accounts) prior to all of this? I can only fear that one day these girls will grow up and resent the bakers for what they did to them, for their own gain.

What do you guys think? Anyone local who can give us insight? Is it just me or does anyone think that it is horrible for these children to be taken to a prison? Especially if they have not had counseling and come to their own decision of what happened? Is that not trying to make them believe their father is innocent and how can that be good for them right now?

I will never forget the words of Linda Dulin - thus, why it remains in my siggy line!
"However in order to heal, in order to point the way for our own granddaughters, in order to show God how grateful we are then we have to step out and forgive. So we do. We forgive, because that’s the only way Matt. The only way that love that makes the way, so that eventually, eventually just as in this case.. LOVE TRUMPS EVIL. That’s all."

I have spent a lifetime advocating for children and for the life of me I don't understand how these children are still in this home.

Kari Humor =)

2010-06-12T06:14:00.003-05:00

Received this email yesterday from a dear, close friend of Kari's. With permission, I share it with you here. Put a big smile on my face.....and chillbumps while I was laughing out loud.

"Like I said, Kari and I were very close friends. We both moved and lost contact with each other. I only learned a year ago what happened to her. So I recently took a trip to Waco. I hadn't been there in 10 years. I wanted some closure to our friendship, or maybe just something that proved to me that she was really gone, so I decided to visit the cemetery. It took me an hour (even with directions) to find the spot. I walked around in the Texas summer heat! I could practically feel Kari laughing at me. When I did find "her", I stood peacefully for about 45 seconds trying to feel close to my dear friend. Out of the blue, the sprinklers turned on and literally drenched me from head to toe! An all-out forceful spray of water right at me! Of course I screamed and ran away. And then laughed. If Kari was there watching me, and I believe she was, I know she was laughing at me. I also think she was telling me that I don't need to go to a cemetery to feel close to her.
She is right in my heart, forever. Just a reminder that Kari is still with us."

I have to add something that just tops it off perfectly. This close friend had plans to meet Linda for lunch. And she did. Soaking wet. If Kari was laughing before, she was certainly ROFL at this. ;)

"Kari's Law" in the news again!

2010-06-08T18:55:00.003-05:00

JAN AND TOM PURDY: Couple pushes for autopsy law
San Angelo Standard Times

"An illuminating article in the Feb. 7 Waco Tribune-Herald revealed that in the first year a justice of the peace receives only six hours of training in determining deaths. With all the other duties of a justice of the peace — performing marriages, issuing warrants, setting bail, conducting criminal and civil trials — it seems that determining death is one duty that should be void of discretion and ultimately up to a medical professional.

Since causes of death are not always obvious, especially when criminals go to great lengths to deceive law enforcement officers, 'Kari’s Law' would require either a full or partial autopsy in cases where a person dies as a result of suicide.

Texas does not need to experience another State v. Baker, and Texas families should not have to request a formal inquest hearing to find the truth." (read more)

I'm sorry. It seems my links to the letters you can write for Kari's Law up on the top right column are broken. I think I need to re-load the letters to GoogleDocs. Will do so and let you know when they are ready again. Passing "Kari's Law" would save sooooooo many families the years of angst and injustice that Kari's family had to endure. This is something worth printing and signing a letter for. Justice for Kari can equal justice for so many others!

Eyes for Lies

2010-06-08T08:23:00.003-05:00

Eyes for Lies has had some very insightful things to say about this case over the years. Her latest blog post: Matt Baker Gives Jailhouse Interview

"In the second interview, Matt confirms for us, he does want an appeal. Then he says something chilling. He says, 'I honestly know, and I know it is hard to...to get it across, but I loved my wife, even though I made a mistake.'

That's the understatement of the century, Matt. Your mistake was that you got too cocky and confident and your behavior, words and history caught up with you and gave your lies away." (read more)

You can read past thoughts of Eyes for Lies:
Matt & Kari Baker
Matt Baker

3 Minutes of more claiming of innocence

2010-06-05T09:22:00.005-05:00

Matt Baker claims innocence to News Channel 25 from prison
KXXV - Channel 25

Click on the link above and then click on the 3:00 video. Remember the warning given when watching Matt talk about Kari.

There are so many known "when I'm doing this, I am lying" signs that Matt Baker just can't seem to work through. I won't outline them here for his mom to document and work on with him. Even if they did work on it, it wouldn't help. He's just that blatant.

Over and over and over again, Matt claims that the ENTIRE WORLD is lying and conspiring against him and he's is telling the absolute truth. Only thing he ever lied about was the affair and he's kinda/sorta coming clean about that now. So why don't we just set him free? (Someone, somewhere made an exhaustive list of all the people that must be lying and conspiring if Matt were actually telling the truth. If anyone remembers where it was posted, email me. It was a great visual of this "vast conspiracy.")
Thank you, Anonymous Commenter for pointing out where the list was. I'll C&P here:

"So let me get this straight. Baker is asking us to believe that all of Kari's friends, co-workers, and her therapist, the Dulins and all their family, a majority of people who worked with Matt, his last four employers, the Hewitt Police department, JP Billy Martin, State experts who have never met Baker, Pharmecutical web site owners, the DAs office, a few former girlfriends and one mistress, his neighbors and co-workers, the news media from 4 different networks and all their independent experts, Lawyers Gray, Danforth, Schwieger and now Judge Strother.... All conspired to to get Matt convicted of a crime he says didn't happen."

There's a lot of commentary I could go on with about the lies and ridiculousness of everything he says, but I don't have that much time. But one point Matt makes in this video is beyond the normal self-righteous ridiculousness. He says, of course, Kari did this to herself. Maybe intentionally. Maybe on accident. Seriously, Matt? On accident? She accidently overdoses.........BUT........WAIT FOR IT...........she somehow finds a way in her overdose stupor to drag her dying body to the computer and compose and print a note saying that she is INTENTIONALLY COMMITTING SUICIDE??? Was she thinking, "Hey, I accidently did this to myself but why not go out with a bang and totally obliterate my childrens', husband's, parents' and families lives and make them think I killed myself. I just had to get away from them somehow. Won't this be a fun, quirky way to go?" Come on, Matt.

I would also like to highlight a comment left on the Channel 25 website by a "Questions." Seriously? This person is very close to Matt. It's obvious. Only 2-4 people still think this way....and one doesn't have access to the internet, most likely.

"Questions:There will be a day when the evidence (lack there of) will be viewed and it will show that there was nothing but opinions in this case. If everyone that had affairs handled it by murdering their spouses, we would certainly lower the population. I guess it still isn't clean whether Kari meant for the death to happen, or whether it really was an accident. We may not ever know that. However, it is very obivious that she was not murdered. How was she murdered? Police showed there was "nothing" except wine cooler in bottles, Tox screen could not have been accurate or it would have shown the Xanex in her system that her mom gave her a week before. (as Xanex is a slow half-life) and ME from Dallas saw no marks on face, it was only after pictures got to Lubbock ME that the "marks" showed up??"

After reading this, Sadie emailed me a response to Questions that she sent but was too long for admission. It's an excellent response and I think it should be out there. With her permission, I am posting it here:

Sadie:Oooops! Somebody's caught the nasty little Fabrication Bug from the killer preacher. ~ "Nothing but opinions in this case?" FALSE. People don't get convicted on "opinions." Re-watch the trial. Loads of evidence. ~ Matt was convicted on an assumption that any cheating husband whose wife dies, killed her? FALSE. Infidelity IS a common motive for spousal murder, though, and appears to have been one motive in this case. He was a PREACHER. One who said, "Divorce was never an option." ~ It isn't clear whether the murder victim meant for the death to happen?! FALSE. And cruelly absurd. ~ "We may never know" whether it was an accident? FALSE. Ridiculous! A person who accidentally overdoses could not type up a fake, unsigned "suicide" note! And you can't "accidentally" show signs of having been dead for four hours, only 40 minutes after being alert and speaking. ~ Police showed there was nothing in the bottles? FALSE. ONE empty, clean bottle was found in Matt's trash long after Kari died. Why only one? Why clean? There were TWO bottles on the nightstand in the photos from that night. ~ Toxicology data from the autopsy was relied upon at trial as accurate? FALSE. As the expert witnesses testified, toxicology can't be accurate on an embalmed, exhumed body. ~ Marks on Kari's face only "showed up" after the Lubbock ME examined the photos? FALSE. Marks are plainly visible on Kari's nose/lip in police photos taken that night. The Dallas ME who conducted the exhumation autopsy examined a discolored, partially decomposed, exhumed body for gunshots, knife wounds, or blunt trauma. The Lubbock ME simply examined the Dallas ME's autopsy photos and saw the corresponding mark which matched the wound visible in the death scene photos. The jury saw it, too. ~ There really are not too many remaining unanswered "questions." A big one for me is, why would someone come here with lame and misleading attempts to defend a lying, cheating, scamming, sociopathic murderer at this point? What's in it for them?

That's it for now. Really cool day coming up. Peace out.

Tommy's visit with Baker

2010-06-04T08:23:00.003-05:00

Baker maintains innocence from behind bars; blames attorney, mistress and judge
Tommy Witherspoon
WacoTrib.com

"Matt Baker’s mistress lied. At least three other women who said he is a sexual predator lied. His lawyer sold him down the river and his trial judge committed judicial misconduct.

Baker’s appellate attorney won’t do what he says. His in-laws and their attorneys manipulated the legal system. The jury got it wrong.

All these factors aligned in a perfect conspiratorial storm to send an innocent man to prison. At least that’s what Baker, a former Baptist minister, said Wednesday." (read more)

Matt Baker finally tells the truth. About one thing. He says there is "not one piece of evidence" against him. You're right, Matt. There's not one. There's a thousand and one. So ready for the cows to come home on this. It won't be long until no one will be cooperative with Matt's pleas for "10 more minutes."

Longing for 10 more minutes, I guess...

2010-06-03T18:39:00.007-05:00

Matt Baker speaks to News Channel 25 from prison
KXXV - Channel 25

"News Channel 25's Bruce Gietzen interviewed Baker for an hour Wednesday at his new prison home in Livingston, Texas where he is serving his 65 year sentence.
Baker discussed Vanessa Bulls testimony and their affair, problems with his attorney Guy James Gray, and some things he feels he should have done differently in that trial." (read more)

Video from KXXV.com

WARNING: Get your barf bag ready. Seriously. He is trying to convince you that he loved his wife....loves his wife. He wouldn't do anything to hurt her.

I don't see a link for the bits of interview that were aired at 5:00 and 6:00 but I'm sure they'll be up soon on the Channel 25 website. But in the midst of all the serious malarky Matt tosses out there, I had one serious "Laugh Out Loud" moment. If you watched, I'm sure you did, too. More on that in a little bit.

Basically what it looks like Matt is doing is using his past media "connections" to get back in the spotlight. Maybe, he hopes, 10 more minutes and he can catch the eye of some attorney that will look deep into his baby blues and feeeeeeeeel his innocence and looooooong to help him with his travesty of justice.........for FREE, of course. Surely there's an attorney out there that's......well, surely not. They would be an idiot to stand next in line after all the experiences with his 10ish other attorneys begging and clawing to get away from him.

Anyway, more news sources on this coming up soon. 20/20 and 48 Hours have also told me that they will let me know as soon as they have air dates and I will post that on here for you all.

2010-05-25T16:57:00.003-05:00

Baker transported to East Texas Prison to serve life sentence
Channel 25 - KXXV.com

"WACO - The former Waco-area pastor convicted of murdering his wife in 2006 has been moved to his permanent cell unit of assignment in the state prison system. "
"He has been reportedly assigned to field duty, tending to crops at the 2,900 inmate facility." (read full article here)

I find it very interesting that after extensive and specific physical, mental, occupational and psychological testing that they deemed the fields to be the ideal spot for Baker. A job requiring no education or specific skills at all. It's going to be one, long, hot summer!

Transferred....

2010-05-25T13:53:00.001-05:00

My contacts have informed me that Matt has been transferred to his new permanent home at the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas.

Another Kerrville Voice

2010-05-10T05:48:00.001-05:00

A new email from a concerned resident of Kerrville:

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. Psalm 146: 3 NIV

faith: 2 b (1): firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2): complete trust. Merriam-Webster Online

The Bible seems to indicate that only God is worthy of our faith (belief without proof). Mortal men should have actions that merit our trust, and my understanding of scriptures is there should be limits when putting our faith in a man. There are many examples of people putting too much faith in someone believed to be “a man of God”: Jim Jones, David Koresh, child molesting priests, etc.

I suspect that most everyone reading this blog has a firm opinion concerning the guilt or innocence of Matt, and I doubt that anything written by me would change your opinion about that issue. Matt’s future does not seem to be the primary concern of current contributors to this blog. The futures of Kensi & Grace are now at issue.

The Friends of Kensi and Grace Baker Fund group is taking actions which could have an impact on their futures. This group seems to take it as a given that remaining with the Bakers is in the best interest of Kensi and Grace. I do not think that is correct. Thus, it seems to be appropriate to direct some questions and comments to a couple of the people listed as Co-Chairs in the brochure.

To the Co-Chair who testified in the sentencing phase of Matt’s trial that a man could be a “good” father even if he murdered his child’s mother, I have the following questions for your consideration and reflection. Do you still believe this? If you do, what act would a man have to commit for your value system to tell you he is a “bad” father?

To the Co-Chair who “stayed away from knowing the evidence on the case on purpose” concerning Matt? I hope and pray you are not taking the same approach in “knowing” what is best for the girls’ futures.

Seriously??!?!?! [EDIT]

2010-05-08T08:46:00.007-05:00

I have received an email that touched my heart. And I will respond to that person privately. I do not want to cause grief to "innocent" parties. There is something strange going on with all this and until I know more of the particulars, I will try to protect the "innocent." For that reason (and that reason alone), I am removing my earlier post. I do not want to cause this third person harm or embarrassment.

I corrected my statement from saying the third person was the one who put this brochure together. That was my error in the post and it was an innocent one. According to the email I received, she was not involved at all. I still find that bothersome and the whole thing seems rather dubious. I'm not the only one. The Kerrville people I have heard from are bothered by the whole thing as well. I will post something about that in a little bit. I'm trying to hold out judgement as best I can. I just never imagined a Co-Chair printed on the back of the brochure would have nothing to do with it.

All that said, I removed the earlier post and am replacing it with this one. I did this strictly as an act of kindness. NOT because of a threat. I corrected my innocent error. The rest of what I said is just documented fact. But I will still err on the side of over-kindness on this matter.

I do still urge the Founder to answer questions posed to him in some of the comments here so maybe the world can understand his motives and desires in this matter. I mean, why not? Help us understand.

Email from Kerrville

2010-05-06T21:49:00.005-05:00

I received this very kind and passionate comment on a post here and I wanted to share that along with my response.

"Shannon,
I am the person who initiated the Friends of Kensi and Grace group. After reading the original email you posted from a person who received the mailing and the comments posted to date, I want to clarify some unfounded assumptions that unfortunately have been reached. First of all, Barbara Baker had nothing to do with the initiation of this effort. In fact, when first approached about the idea she expressed reluctance and continued to do so until the week of the mailing. The brochure was designed without any input from her and to my knowledge she didn’t see it until after it was finished. She also did not spend one penny of her resources for the mailing. I personally paid for every expense associated with the printing and mailing.

It saddens my heart to see the words, exploit and exploitation, appear in the commentary on your blog. The mailing was done from a heartfelt Christian perspective of helping someone in need, not exploitation of Kensi, Grace or their friends. The mailing went to a limited number of people, primarily to some members of two churches. The response has been very positive. Some of the donations have been accompanied with very sweet notes expressing their love and best wishes for the girls.

In closing I want to address the comments made in your 7:08pm post last night. Speaking for myself (and I’m sure for many, many others, including you), I do want what is best for the girls. I have not been brainwashed and am not being taken advantage of. I’ve known the Baker family for over twenty years. They are honest, hardworking, caring Christian people who have been a blessing to my family and many others in this community. I sincerely believe they will do a good job of raising Kensi and Grace and leading them into adulthood. These young ladies have already experienced more trauma than most of us have experienced in a lifetime. Adding an additional trauma by uprooting them from the community where they feel secure because of the wide and deep support system they have here will serve no purpose. I’m praying that something can be worked out between the two families. All we can do is pray and know that God is in control of all things and His will shall come to pass.

Posted by Founder of The Friends of Kensi and Grace to Don't Even Get Me Started at May 6, 2010 12:25 PM"

My response:

I very much understand and fully believe that you approached this venture from a heartfelt Christian perspective. I do. But I do not think you are seeing the whole picture.

Kensi and Grace were traumatized when their Father (a Baker) killed their Mother. To pretend this didn't happen is more trauma. To keep them in a family where they pretend the man given 65 years is innocent and getting out any day now heaps even more trauma. To pretend that their Mother committed suicide when she was murdered and taken from their world by their Father heaps trauma upon trauma upon trauma. When does that stop?

You may know the Bakers, but do you know the Dulins? They were an integral part of their granddaughters lives until Matt Baker killed Kari. Matt Baker not only ripped their daughter from this world, but with his parent’s help, removed their granddaughters from their lives. Can you imagine such pain? And for what purpose?

The following isn't something I've heard Oscar or Barbara Baker's supporters be able to say. And it is vitally important: “ Matt Baker killed Kari Baker, Kensi and Grace's Mother....Linda and Jim's daughter.....Adam's sister.” Tell me, how healthy is it for two little girls to stay with the family whose son murdered their Mother, ESPECIALLY when they will not admit the truth? This is just NOT okay. How can the girls grow up healthy and whole when they are being fed lies? Kari Baker loved her girls more than anything; she would have never left them by her own choice. Kensi and Grace need to be in an environment where they can be reminded of their mother’s love! This is just NOT okay. Barbara continues to say that Kari was despondent and depressed and even that suicide was a good option for her in "her condition." Yes, she did. Well, twelve jurors heard all of the evidence and decided unanimously and overwhelmingly that she wasn't depressed and despondent and that she DID NOT take her own life. So, what does that say about the nature of Barbara Baker? Why would such a good woman continue to vilify her dead daughter-in-law?

I am sorry but I do think the flyer is exploitation and some people that received it have contacted me and are upset. And I don't doubt that people have sent contributions feeling that they are in some way helping Kensi and Grace. I love that Kerrville is filled with people that love the girls and want the best for them and pray for them as we do here. I don't doubt that for one minute. I don't fault your motive or any givers' motives for for doing what they hope will help the girls. You say the Bakers were reluctant to have this mailed. Well, I received a copy of one of their first letters asking for money. Matt was quoting scripture. Praising God. Oh, yes....and asking for money. And who signed this letter with Matt? Barbara, Oscar, Kensi and Grace. He had those little girls (even younger at that time) put their little tiny childrens' signatures at the bottom of it. Sickening. I see a bit of a pattern here and it tells me that they may not be as reluctant as you think they are. I believe you truly believe what you say. I have seen this from the beginning. I saw the good people of Kerrville being scammed by a sexual predator and murderer....and now his Mother "doth protest too much." I do not think she is the woman you portrayed in your comment. However, I will not say more than that.

Something here just isn't right. If you really search your heart, I think you will see it. Clearly, you are a good woman who believes she is doing the right thing but I think you are incredibly wrong. No, I know you are incredibly wrong. I believe with all of my heart, that for healing to take place, Kensi and Grace must come HOME. They must come back to the family whose lives they were intertwined with before their Father murdered their Mother. They must get REAL counseling where they can learn the truth, accept it, and love their Mother.....and their Father. I know the Dulins well enough to know they will do whatever it takes to help their granddaughters heal. They LOVE their granddaughters enough to forgive and focus on their healing. I don't see that in the Bakers.

Thank you for sharing and your honesty. I return that courtesy to you with this response. There is so much more I could say. Not only have I uncovered a great deal just by going to the courthouse for myself, researching and having copies made of documents.....but I have also made many friends in Kerrville over the past few years. I have learned much from many sources. And I will use the forum of this blog to continue to uncover injustice. I still see it where Kari's daughters are concerned.

Edited this morning to add a comment left on the blog early this morning. I wanted to add it to this post here so it wouldn't be overlooked. Thank you, whoever this was.

To those who support the Bakers fight for custody:
I don't think any of you are crazy or brainwashed but, I don't get it. I don't understand how anyone who truly loves those girls could keep telling them that their Mom killed herself leaving them to go to their dead sister? Like Kari picked Kassidy over them? NEVER!
And if you still think Matt Baker is innocent, tell me HOW? Do you not see how many totally unrelated strangers from all parts of the state and country would have had to get together and concocted a story, then perjured themselves in a court of law for Matt's story to even ring partly true? Why would they do that?
Do you not get that every person who knew Kari, EVERY PERSON, except Matt, says she was not depressed. NOTHING, no e-mail, no note, no plan, no
conversation, NOTHING in Kari's life pointed to suicide outside of Matt's story and a unsigned gramaticaly incorrect typed note.
Aside from all that, can you not see that Matt's version of what happened that night is IMPOSSIBLE? Not only could Kari's death not have happened the way he said, from what he said, in the time he said, but Matt himself could not physically have done the things he said he was doing at the time.
The thing you have to understand is that no one wanted to believe that Matt killed Kari. No one. It's been a 4 year nightmare. But the facts, they just didn't add up. With that note, Matt's weird behavior after Kari died, his impossible whole-filled account of that night, his multiplying lies, horrible things surfacing from his past....Matt left us with no other option. NONE! He killed Kari and then he took her girls away from their lives.
How can you think that living with the Bakers, the people who want the girls to think their mother left them, the people who perpetuate Matt's lies everyday, the people who try to slander Kari's good name are a good for Kensi & Grace? How?
Despite what you believe or want to believe, do you realize how much more harm YOU = you personally, will bring to these girls by helping the Bakers if
you are wrong? If you are wrong the girls entire life in Kerrville is based on a lies. Knowing, as we all do, that the truth always comes out, can you imagine how horrible it will be for those girls to learn that the people who raised them were lying to them and everything they thought was true isn't? No matter what your feelings are towards the Bakers, are you willing to risk that for these two little girls who have lost so very much already?
Maybe you don't know the Dulins, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that they are and will be the best family for Kensi and Grace. They can give them a great life and bright future, without handouts might I add. They are Christian people who love God. They are successful, stable, loving people who will fight for what is right and move heaven and Earth to give Kensi and Grace the very best life possible! Our community will also do whatever we can for Kensi and Grace, just as you in Kerrville have done for these last 4 years. Those girls are so loved and continually prayed for by multitudes of Kari's friends and family.
That's what the main point of getting justice for Kari was...to let her girls know what really happened and to give them the best life possible. We owe Kari and her girls that. To love Kensi and Grace, we know how important it is to let them love both of their parents, as hard as that might be. Tell me, do the Bakers let the girls love Kari?
Please, please, please, step back and really, really think about this. AND please pray for God to honor only what is right and true in Kensi and Graces lives. Surly that is a prayer we can all share.
PS none of my questions were meant to be rhetorical. I really would like to know what you think.
Posted by A friend of Kari's to Don't Even Get Me Started at May 7, 2010 12:52 AM

Feel free to discuss any of this in comments below.

Hearing from Kerrville....

2010-05-04T18:41:00.005-05:00

I actually got wind of this last week. Was disgusted. Not sure what to do, if anything. But when I received another email from the Kerrville area about this and it included the attatchment, I felt that I need to say something. Not only disgusted, but angry. It's a little long and I considered just posting excerpts but decided that all of it was pertinent. So with permission, I will share this email with you here:

"Dear Shannon,
I decided to e-mail you because of something I got in my mail yesterday. It made me terribly mad at first and now I am more sad. If you haven’t seen this then I think you will be upset too at what the Bakers are doing because we were shocked by it. They have mailed out this brochure that has pictures of the girls all over it. They are using the girls pictures to collect money for their custody fight. They have a return address on it that says Friends of Kensi and Grace Baker Fund. It tells people to encourage the girls when they see them around town and talks about their sports and youth groups. They are writing about how much money they need and there is a bank fund set up for donations. If they are so hard up for money then how can they afford to print the color brochures and postage to mail them out to everybody? I have never had any face to face dealing with the Bakers. However I have seen how things have been with this case. I started hearing about it in the news and later read this blog after Matt moved back to Kerrville . I was pretty sure he was guilty then, but when I saw the trial on In Session and it was so obvious. I never understood why he wasn’t really working. Matt was asking people for money then too, as you know. He even had the children sign their names on a letter he wrote begging for money. He took everybody’s money but why wasn’t he working a regular job to pay his own legal costs? Or even support his family like any decent man would. He wanted people to feel sorry for him. A lot of them who helped him don’t feel good about that now, trust me. Some gave money only because he was a preacher. Or they felt sorry for his parents. Well anyway he was found guilty regardless, and people are glad about that at least. I think if his mother loved him in the right way she would make him take responsibility. She would love him but not take up for him. This is crazy what she is doing. I am not giving one dime and I wish nobody else would, either. You should know there are many people in the Kerrville community who feel this way. It’s the same thing as taking the girls to court in Waco where they had no business being. And speaking for them to the newspaper. Why wasn’t he protecting them from all of this? It makes me so sad."

With this email was an attachment with the flyer/brochure. I won't post the flyer because it just completely exploits the girls. I am angered that Kensi, Grace and all the other Kerrville children in these pictures are being used in this manner. I heard via a third-party-Kerrville person that thier friend's daughter's picture was used in the brochure WITHOUT permission and that she was livid. Not only was it without permission but it implied their family supported the Bakers and their fundraising and they 100% do NOT. Even after all that has been done, I can't believe they would take pictures of other people's children and use them in their money quests.

I, too, question why Matt didn't "man up" and work over the last 2-3 years to support his family and take care of business. He can't claim that he couldn't get a job because of these horrible allegations because he and his family claimed (and still do) that he has the overwhelming support of the Kerrville community. If that's true and he was actually looking for work, you'd think people (business owners and managers) would be clamoring to help the "innocent, falsely-accused minister" in his time of need. So either he didn't want to work OR he doesn't have the support in Kerrville that he claimed/claims. Either scenario means Baker lied. Instead of working for funds for his defense and/or to raise his children, he wrote letters and made phone calls hounding people for hand-outs. A couple of these have been emailed to me in the past. The court documents show that Matt had a pickup payment of almost $700/month.....that he bought after he killed Kari. No job. $700/month for a big, nice truck? Instead of getting a job and/or selling the truck for something practical and affordable and being able to actually take care of his family, he continued driving that big, nice truck around to pick up his handouts.

Now that Matt no longer needs that truck, what's become of it? Has it been sold for much-needed funds for the custody matter or even to simply take care of the girls' basic needs? No. It's being driven by his parents. Did someone pay it off? Or are they still making payments on it? How are they affording this? Solicited funds??? What money being solicited for with flyers and brochures will actually go to benefit the girls? And are the people in charge of this fund capable of knowing and doing what is truly right for Kensi and Grace?

I feel the Bakers are exploiting their granddaughters and other community children to get the good people of Kerrville to give them more money. Question is: Will they give this time?

JFK sticker comes in handy ;)

2010-04-26T08:23:00.002-05:00

Got this email this morning. Sharing.....with permission. Thanks, Andrew!

I did want to share with you the other night I was possiby going too fast, and well a local trooper pointed it out to me. Seems he was touched by the sticker on the back of my truck. He wanted to know about what this "Justice for Kari" was all about...I was happy to share and just get a warning. He knew about "the preacher" and could hardly contain his irritation with the saga. He was definitely pro-Kari.
Andrew Nelson

Byrd Unit, Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville

2010-04-25T09:56:00.001-05:00

Baker transferred from county jail to prison to begin 65-year murder sentence
Erin Quinn
WacoTrib.com

"The former Central Texas Baptist minister will spend the next few weeks to few months at the Byrd Unit, a diagnostic intake facility where he will go through the prison-classification process, Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark said.

As part of the process, staff at the prison will evaluate Matt Baker’s educational background, mental history, medical files and work skills, Clark said." (read more)

Huntsville Bound - Filing motions all the way

2010-04-23T15:32:00.004-05:00

Matt Baker transferred to state prison system in Huntsville
Tommy Witherspoon
WacoTrib.com

More later. This happened quick.

Baker reportedly transported to Byrd Prison Unit
KXXV.com Channel 25

"Baker will likely spend two to four weeks in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison where he will be evaluated physically and mentally, as well as for his education and skills before it is determined where he will serve the remainder of his sentence." (read more)

Matt Baker Leaves McLennan County, Files Motions
CentralTexasNow.com (KCEN-TV, Channel 6)

"Friday Baker filed two motions. One, is for a mistrial due to alleged judicial misconduct. Baker claims judicial misconduct occurred during his trial when one of the witnesses on the stand was saying Baker had an alibi -- that he was at Hollywood video when Kari died. During the witness' testimony, Judge Ralph Strother called for a break because a juror had to use the bathroom. Baker's motion says the judge interrupted the detective's testimony, and when the the break was over the judge did not have the court reporter read where the court left off.
The other, is for a new trial entirely. The motion for new trial says Baker, 'prays this court set this motion for new trial for hearing and that as a matter of law, the motion be granted and defendant be given a new trial in this case.'
However Baker's court-appointed lawyer says Baker missed the 30-day filing deadline, after he was sentenced. The lawyer, Stan Schwieger says both his motions are irrelevant, and he says Judge Strother isn't taking any action."

I'm guessing that Matt sent letters on his own for these two ridiculous "irrelevant" motions or he forced Stan's hand somehow to file them for him. Matt really things he can represent himself but he doesn't even know what relevance is and what is actually a meritorious motion. Where's the "This is a good idea" in any of that?

Gosh, I feel for Stan. He's probably getting to the Number 1 spot of people involved in this that are ready for this whole thing to be over with.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

2010-04-22T08:35:00.002-05:00

This week is National Crime Victims' Rights Week. The Advocacy Center, WPD Victim Services and the Family Abuse Center will be sponsoring a city-wide rally to remember the victims of crime and to show thier continued fight for the rights of crime victims.

Tonight I am meeting Linda for this. I'd like to make everyone aware of this event and invite you to come. Linda will be one of the speakers.

Crime Victims Rights Recognition
Call to Action
Thursday, April 22, 2010
6:00—7:00 pm
Crestview Park Grove of Hope
Waco, TX

Crestview Park just so happens to be the park across the street from what used to be Waco Christian School. This is the park where Kari undoubtedly had PE and "played" when she was a student there. I know because I grew up at Waco Christian School and this park. What a perfect place for tonight's event. Hope to see you there!

Custody Venue

2010-04-22T06:12:00.002-05:00

Court dispute over custody of Matt Baker's daughters moves to Kerrville
Erin Quinn
WacoTrib.com

“We have traveled much tougher roads these four years than the road to Kerrville,” Dulin said. “We love our granddaughters with all that we are.
. . . We are committed to helping our granddaughters heal, and we will do what is required of us to reach this goal.” (read more)

Amen, Sister!

And again.......

2010-04-21T05:53:00.003-05:00

Matt Baker sends letter to appellate attorney saying he wants to serve as own counsel
Erin Quinn
WacoTrib.com

"After Matt Baker’s request last week to replace his court-appointed appellate attorney was rejected, the former Baptist minister and convicted murderer sent the lawyer a letter saying he wants to serve as his own legal counsel.

"I guess I didn’t make it clear enough at the hearing,' Baker’s letter to Stan Schwieger reads. 'I am firing you as my attorney. . . . I will represent myself, Pro Se.'

The law does not allow for Baker to represent himself during the appellate phase, Schwieger said." (read more)

I think I find myself rather speechless. But the last line I quoted from the article kinda says it all. Shouldn't one kinda, sorta know basic law before they represent themselves? He doesn't even know he can't represent himself in the appellate phase, but he thinks he's the best authority on the matter? Is this more advice from his "brilliant" consultant?

Baker's request to replace appellate attorney denied

2010-04-17T08:19:00.002-05:00

Baker's request to replace appellate attorney denied
Tommy Witherspoon
WacoTrib.com

My favorite quote from Tommy's article:

Stan Schwieger:
“At all times, I have acted in the best interest of Mr. Baker, and Judge Strother has acted in an impartial manner and ruled upon the merits of the issues as he felt they should be held. There is no conspiracy, there was no conspiracy. That is a fantasy.” (read more)

DENIED!

2010-04-16T20:19:00.000-05:00

Got to love me some Judge George Allen! The hearing went by so quickly I barely had time to write down a few notes and it was a done deal.

::::Layman's Interpretation Alert::::

The reason Judge Allen heard this hearing today is because Judge Strother can't rule on his own recusal motion. Strother wasn't even in the courtroom at all. I'm sure he was glad to get a break from listening to Matt's shenanigans! From what I understand, today's hearing was the only hearing that Judge Strother wouldn't preside over. It wasn't clearly stated but I believe that he will be back for any other (God, how many more can there be???) Baker hearings and motions held in district court.

The second motion for Stan (at Matt's request and I'm sure Stan would be more than slap happy to be done with this) to withdraw as counsel during the appeals process. Matt wrote a 2 page, tiny handwriting, whining and accusing letter to Stan and a copy of it also sent to Judge Strother. Wow. He's got some nerve.

"I have little choice but to believe that somehow you and Judge Strother, knowingly or unknowingly through coercion, conspired from the start and violated my civil rights to have an honest, fair and impartial hearing and to be represented by an attorney."

"It appears to be clear that neither you nor Judge Strother intended that you have to represent my best interest especially in the hearing for a new trial."

So on the record, Matt is charging that his attorney and Judge Strother committed some serious criminal behaviors here. Once again, everyone is evil, breaking laws and out to get him and conspiring and lying. And he is ever-truthful, innocent, and "yet again, violated."

I didn't have time to write down his exact words but Judge Allen told Matt something like: Stan is one of the finest appellate attorneys available and you should be extremely grateful to have him. Quit fighting against your attorney and cooperate with him. Stop listening to Fisher. Stop listening to your mother. Listen to your attorney!

Why does Matthew 7:6 flood to my mind?

Here we go again.....

2010-04-13T06:05:00.005-05:00

Matt Baker again asking for new attorney, and for judge to recuse himself
Tommy Witherspoon
WacoTrib.com

Once again.....and again.....and again.....it's everybody else's fault BUT Matt's that he is in the position he is in. I don't know if Matt really thinks he knows the law better than the Judge and all of the ever-growing mass of lawyers involved here or if he's just so used to throwing mud at the wall just to see what will stick. But here we go again....

"In a two-page letter to his appellate attorney, Stan Schwieger, which Baker copied to 19th State District Judge Ralph Strother, the 38-year-old explained he is unhappy with the court-appointed attorney’s representation thus far and told the judge he wants to “discharge him.”

Baker also asked that Strother, who presided over Baker’s murder trial in January, recuse himself from the case.

He didn’t make it clear if he wanted Strother to give him a new taxpayer-funded lawyer for his appeal before or after stepping down." (read more)

There's a hearing set for this Friday at 8:30am. I will also see if Matt's 2-page letter is filed yet.

Four Years....

2010-04-07T08:46:00.007-05:00

Four years. Four years, two girls without their Mother. Four years, parents without their daughter. Four years, a brother missing his sister. Four years, aunts and uncles missing their dear niece. Four years, cousins without her. Four years, friends missing one of their dearest. Four years, co-workers missing one of their own. And on and on and on....Kari touched so many lives in so many ways.

It's been four years since the tragedy of Kari's murder. Almost four years of praying and working for her justice and peace for so many. At least on this anniversary of Kari's death, we have partial peace. Justice has been served. Kari's loving memory and honor publicly restored. Without question. Prayers are now directed towards Kari's precious daughters.

This is my prayer for the girls:

That you will be free to remember and love your Mother.

That you will be free to love your Mom’s family, especially your grandparents.....
and know that it is only by loving that you can heal.

When the time and circumstances are right, you will learn the truth about how
your Mom died.....you will be able to accept the truth.....and heal.

That you will be able to love your dad after recognizing and accepting the truth.....
again, it is only through love that we can heal.

That you will grow into healthy and whole young women.....
fully of joy and life, just like your mother.

That you will know now and always just how special you are and how incredibly loved you are.

God bless you all on this day of memory.

Please feel free to leave a message for Kensi and Grace and
the Dulins here or using the "Comment" link below.

I'll be sure they see it. Thank you!

Email - The Ripple Effect of Kari's Death

2010-04-03T08:03:00.003-05:00

I want to share a couple of emails (with permission) that I received yesterday from a teacher at Midway High School. She has a very unique perspective and her email also shows how Kari's death has sent ripples out farther than we even knew.

"Hi,
I just felt the need to write to you about your work on this blog for Kari. I am new to the Waco area so knew nothing of the murder until the trial started. I teach at Midway High School and wanted to tell you about some of my students. One had a little brother in Kari's class at the time of the murder (who is probably friends with your son), one of my kids knew the girls, the mother of one of my girls worked with Kari............and so it goes.
Since I am new to the community, I could really feel the pain and the wounds inflicted. Matt took Kari away from all of these people and inflicted untold damage. I know you know this......just wanted to tell you that the ripples are in my workplace, affecting my students and co-workers. Thank you for the blog..........."

AND

"Shannon,
I just want to share a few thoughts with you concerning my experience with this murder. Like I said, I have only lived in Waco for less than two years, so the first thing I knew about it was when I caught it on "48 Hours" and saw one of my co-workers, Todd Monsey, being interviewed. Then when the trial started, I saw footage of his testimony on the news. It hit me that it was a complete travesty that ANYONE should have to testify in a murder trial like this, and it just upset me that someone I knew had to do that. One of my students who knows Todd very well said that she knew Kari didn't commit suicide because "If Coach Monsey is one of your friends you would never want to die. He is just too fun."
I do have a unique perspective I guess because I can see how deep the wounds are in the community and how Kari's loss has hit kids in ways that people might not see. I too pray that the girls are removed from that environment very soon. A co-worker and I were hoping that they would get to start the new school year in August at Midway schools. I know they would be welcomed with open arms and nurtured by teachers and kids.
I admire your blog and what you have done. I also admire Linda quite a bit. Thanks for providing a forum for information and to demand justice for an innocent mother and her children. It is truly inspiring."

Baker's Mother files grievance.....

2010-04-02T06:01:00.001-05:00

Baker's Mother Files Grievance Against Former Attorney

Before yesterday's hearing, this story was released via KXXV Channel 25. Matt's mother, Barbara Baker, is not happy with the results of the trial and wants to blame that on one of Matt's attorneys, Guy James Gray. She filed a complaint with the State Bar. Yet it's interesting that this "gross ineffectiveness" on Gray's part wasn't enough to even factor into Matt's failed motion for a new trial.

Not much to say here but I do want to point out one thing. In this article Barbara Baker says ".....she had a gut feeling her son was having an affair with Bulls, whose testimony put her son behind bars." A gut feeling? What about the January 24, 2010 interview she had with Erin Quinn of the Waco Tribune where she flat out told Erin that Matt had told her about the affair with Bulls IN THE SUMMER AFTER HIS WIFE'S DEATH? She didn't just recently come around to this gut feeling. She has known about this for 3.5 years. She and Matt lied about this to everyone for 3.5 years. And this is the MOTIVE for Matt's murdering Kari. It's NOT an insignificant detail.....or a little "ooooopsie" that they BOTH just forgot to mention. As a dear Justice for Kari prayer warrior pointed out in an email to me today, not only did they BOTH lie about this motive for murder to Matt's attorneys all throughout the years, to authorities, to Kari's family, to friends and church family.....they certainly omitted that little factoid over the years as they were aggressively soliciting and accepting funds from their unknowing and loving fellow Kerrville folks. I think it's just shocking. And very, very sad. Borderline "aid and abet," if you ask me.

Another good day in the wise and Honorable Judge Strother's courtroom

2010-04-01T15:29:00.003-05:00

Motion for New Trial

Baker and his court-appointed attorney's original motion had six points to which they were going to try to muster up an appeal and motion for new trial on. These are explained on Channel 10's story by Eli Ross: Ex-Waco Pastor’s New Trial Motion Denied; Custody Issue Unresolved

"The original motion alleged that Baker's two trial lawyers failed to communicate adequately with Baker before the start of the trial, failed to consult or call as witnesses experts in forensic pathology or toxicology, failed to cross-examine witnesses adequately, including Baker’s former girlfriend Vanessa Bulls, failed to investigate the case adequately and that they demonstrated actions during and after the trial that showed a lack of loyalty to their client." (read more)

The Judge, Matt's court-appointed attorney, Susan Shafer and Crawford Long were in Judge's chambers for 30-45 minutes or so. By the time they came out, all the above points were abandoned and they only argued one point as the whole basis for their motion to request new trial and appeal. Here it is: The fact that the alternate juror was allowed to go into the jury room and LISTEN (NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY WAY) to the jury deliberations and that Matt's attorneys didn't object to it. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is it. That's their complaint of epic OMG attorney ineffectiveness. Reason for a convicted murderer to walk out of the courtroom.

It is perfectly understandable and reasonable for an alternate juror to be present (and not participate) in jury deliberations. One juror was already lost before the trial started due to illness. Then we had a 2-week trial. There is no law or statute or rule of procedure that says the alternate should not be present. What would be better anyway? Have another juror get sick and have to start the trial all over and or the 7-hour deliberations all over again so the alternate can hear things? Both the DA's and both of Matt's attorneys say they thought it was reasonable and didn't have a problem with it. Gray even said he'd of liked to have had that particular alternate juror ON the jury.

Then Matt's attorney argued that we have no way of knowing if the silent presence (and non-participation) of the alternate juror in the deliberation room made the 12 actual jurors convict Matt. Well, the State was 2 steps ahead. Ready to testify were 2 of the jurors, including the foreperson. Alternate juror did not speak. Did not make facial expressions. Did nothing but sit there like a potted plant. And they also reminded us that she was only in there with them less than an hour-and-a-half of their seven-and-a-half hours of deliberation. The alternate juror can't see well at night and asked to be allowed to leave early (around 5:00) so she could get home safely.

Obviously and expectedly, Judge Strother DENIED the Motion for New Trial and appeal.

Custody Venue Hearing

Attorneys for the Dulins are Darren Obenoskey and Susan Johnston. For Barbara Baker, Kerrville attorney Fred Henneke. There is also a guardian at litem attorney for the girls. I couldn't quite understand her name. I will find out.

This is basically what happened in my layman's understanding. The original suit filed by the Dulins for rights to see their grandchildren was filed in 2006. In 2006, McLennan County was the proper venue for that suit because all parties lived in McLennan County. There was never a final order rendered in that suit because the outcome and circumstances of that suit were pending civil litigation against Matt and also pending the outcome of the criminal trial and conviction. Therefore, it is still basically "open" in court in McLennan County. Barbara Baker wants the custody venue changed to Kerrville for obvious reasons. Her attorney is claiming that McLennan County is an improper venue for this case. But it was the proper venue at the inception of the suit....and that suit is this suit even though it's been amended from just asking for visitation to asking now for full-custody.

The problem is that there is no clear precedent for a trial just like this. The Judge has much at his discretion on this. But being the careful and prudent Judge he is, he wants both sides to spend more time researching cases and prepare briefs for him on this subject matter. One thing I found very interesting and also very telling about Judge Strother's insight on these matters is that he asked both parties to research whether there is any connection between Baker being convicted of murder and venue change on the custody part. Does he get to take advantage of family law statute when he caused this whole thing to happen when he murdered their Mother? Judge also pointed out that the girls (and the family) lived IN McLennan County to begin with. The only reason they are there (Kerrville) is because of the murder of their Mother. I can only imagine his frustration with all this.

Anyway, while both sides are gathering more case law and reasons for their cases, the Judge has ordered them to attempt mediation. I think they agreed to it being held somewhere between Kerrville and Waco. Also the guardian ad litem attorney asked for a deposit for her fees. She initially suggested, $2,500 from the Dulins and $1,500 from the Bakers. Judge said, $1,000 from each side for now.

Matt will stay here at the county jail until the matter of venue is decided. I suppose we'll have another hearing after 30 days.

Erin Quinn, with the Waco Tribune, did a great job with her live blogging of today's events. Check that out here: Judge rejects Matt Baker's appeal for new trial; custody dispute in mediation Matt exhibited some rather odd behavior towards her.

More stories about today's events:
Channel 25 - Baker's request for new trial denied

Trial on "In Session" (TruTV)

2010-03-24T10:24:00.004-05:00

I'm sorry I haven't posted this before now. TruTV's "In Session" show is airing the trial. It was on last Wednesday, Friday and all this week so far. I believe they are on about Day 4 of the actual trial and Vanessa Bulls' testimony should be up shortly.

As far as I know, these are the channels for TruTV:
Dish Network 204
Direct TV 246
Grande 55
Time Warner 75

If you want to discuss the trial or the experts and commentators, please feel free to leave comments here.

He Just Can't Help It ! or ?

2010-03-11T07:09:00.006-06:00

Baker disciplined for "obscene sexual hand gestures" while jailed
Tommy Witherspoon
WacoTrib.com

Former minister Matt Baker was disciplined last month at the McLennan County Jail for “making obscene sexual hand gestures” toward two female jail inmates, according to jail records. The disciplinary action came 12 days after Baker was convicted of killing his wife."
"Two female inmates alerted jailers that Baker made what the reports describe as an “obscene sexual hand gesture” toward them both as they walked down the hallway for dental appointments Feb. 2.
The report cites Baker for disorderly conduct, making sexual advances and creating a disruption." (read more)

I don't know if Matt is so sick that he just can't help it or if he thinks he's "so hot" that women ANYWHERE will fall at his rubber-flip-flopped feet if only he'll toss them a "ministerial" obscene sexual hand gesture or what. What's clear is he continues to be a sexually perverted and troubled "man" and is exactly where he belongs. Hopefully the County Jail can protect its women (inmates, staff and jailers) while he's still here. And I'm sure whatever State Prison he goes to will keep him in line just fine.

Love Trumps Evil! - Stickers are ready

2010-03-07T15:40:00.004-06:00

Mega thanks to Stephanie Grosz for the design and Linda Reichenbach for ordering these awesome "updated" Justice for Kari bumper stickers! They are in and ready for ya! I will get my box sometime this week so go ahead and start sending in your self-addressed-stamped-envelopes to Justice for Kari, P.O. Box 1536, Hewitt, TX 76643. Will get them sent back to you ASAP.

In case you haven't had a chance to read it or hear it again, here is a portion of the victim impact statement of Kari's Mom, Linda Dulin, after Matt was found guilty and sentenced. It explains the new choice of words on the sticker.

Taken from WacoTrib.com's Erin Quinn's live blog, January 21, 2010.

5:52 p.m. --Kari Baker's mother, Linda Dulin, delivers her victim impact statement. She tells her son-in-law to look at her. Linda Dulin says: "You took her from us, Matt. You discarded her like she was yesterday's trash. You murdered the mother of your children. ...You really can't look at me, can you?" He looks up from the floor and looks at her.
"You took (Kensi and Grace's) mother and then fed them lies. ...Thank goodness this journey doesn't end here. ...You see, Matt, you were never going to win this one. You spent your life preying on innocent people. ...But love trumps evil. Do you hear me, Matt? Love trumps evil." She continues: "(When I see Kari again) she's going to run toward me and knock me over and smother me with kisses. ...God told us he would never forsake us and he hasn't. We have felt his arms around us through this entire process. ...We are so very blessed. We are blessed.
So, what do we do now? Well, first we thank God for bringing us here to this place. ...But next, Jim and I commit our lives to Kensi and Grace. ...We can't give them back their mother, but we want, more than anything in this world, for them to be whole and healthy. You poisoned them. You taught them to hate. But it won't last. It won't last."
She continues: "You have to spend many years in prison. What you did was horrific. It was horrific, Matt. And I believe you're capable of much more evil." Matt Baker shakes his head. She continues: "But....we have to step out and forgive. So, we do. We forgive. Because that's the only way, Matt. ...Love trumps evil."

Oh, yes, Linda. It sure does.

Custody: Gentry & Baker

2010-02-26T10:29:00.004-06:00

Unlike in Baker case, custody of children left after Gentry murder conviction appears settled
Tommy Witherspoon
WacoTrib.com

Once again, Matt not following proper procedure. If he'd finally admit his attorney knows more about the law that he does, he might get more of what he wants. But he continues to insist on doing it his way:

"Former Central Texas minister Matt Baker tried this week to file a motion to transfer venue of the custody fight between his parents and his wife’s parents from Waco to Kerrville.
But, Baker did not submit a filing fee or proper affidavit alleging his indigence, so McLennan County District Clerk Karen Matkin was unable to file his motion." (read more)

Gracious, Darlene and Matt do have quite a bit in common. She still won't accept her guilt and punishment three years after being found guilty and sentenced to 60 years.

"Gentry was caught on videotape trying to retrieve the pistol she threw into a pond near Axtell after shooting her husband as he slept. Their three sons were asleep down the hall.
She filed a state motion for writ of habeas corpus Tuesday, alleging she was wrongfully convicted, did not receive a fair trial and is unlawfully imprisoned." (read more)

I think Gentry's attorney, Damon Reed, gets a little ahead of himself with this quote:

“In comparing our case to the Baker situation, I believe that the parent and grandparents involved put the children ahead of their own personal issues to get the matter settled and to keep the matter out of court,” Reed said. “They should
all be commended for it. At this point, it is a grandchild issue. It is not a murder case.” (read more)

Darlene was sentenced over 3 years ago, and that was 5 years after the murder. What part of it taking 3+ years to work out a custody arrangement is to be applauded? What has happened in the 3+ years getting to this point? Also, Mr. Reed, if you don't know the parties and circumstances involved, I don't think it prudent to take the "high horse" stance. I'm open to more info. But this bit sounds braggy.....without warrant.

2010-02-25T06:01:00.004-06:00

Editorial article found in the Baylor University Lariat. Thanks for attention to "Kari's Law," Claire.

Editorial: Texas legislators should comply with Waco family's push for 'Kari's Law'
Claire Taylor
Baylor Lariat Staff

"The question of how many other similar cases exist and have been overlooked as a result of the current Texas law is an unsettling one. While an autopsy cannot provide all the answers needed in a murder case, it can at least serve as a deterrent to those thinking of masking a murder as a suicide in the future.

Regardless of what the "right" answer may be, this is an issue that needs to be addressed. Citizens are concerned enough about it to bring it to the attention of legislators, and our lawmakers should ensure that the proper consideration be given to it. It is obvious that the current system has failed, so a healthy dialogue about this is certainly in order."

The article is also about the Purdy's letters to Justice of the Peace Billy Martin and other state and local officials about "Kari's Law." Don't forget to mail your letters if you haven't already. The links to download the letters are on the top of the right column here on the blog. Thank you all for your support, encouragement, dedication and letter-writing for this potentially life-saving law.

*Thanks to "News" for finding this and letting me know. ;)

Coming Soon....

2010-02-23T06:03:00.004-06:00

You guys asked for it, you got it. Thanks to Linda R. for ordering a new batch of bumper stickers! I will let you know when they are in and when you can send your SASE's in for your "Love Trumps Evil" stickers.

Don't forget to send in your letters if you haven't had a chance yet. I have the links to the two letters in the top right column of the blog so you can find and share them easily. Let me know if you have any trouble with the downloads or any questions at all.

God bless you all!!

**More news and links on today's news later.......

Matt Baker files motion for new trial, citing attorneys' poor performances
Tommy Witherspoon
WacoTrib.com

Problem with printing letters

2010-02-15T16:23:00.007-06:00

Many of you were having trouble with the docstoc.com website letting you download and print the letters. Someone suggested (Thanks, News) to try Google Docs. So here goes:

Kari's Law - Letter to Justice of the Peace Billy Martin

Kari's Law - General Letter

Let me know via comment here or email if this does or does not work for you. Sorry for the trouble. This is something new for me. Thanks for all your support!!

Editorial in today's Waco Tribune Herald

2010-02-14T10:23:00.003-06:00

This is an EXCELLENT editorial that can be found at WacoTrib.com.

EDITORIAL: After Matt Baker case, law should require deaths undergo autopsy before ruled suicide

"But what if the Dulins hadn’t been so driven in their efforts to reopen the case? What if the death of Kari Baker — drugged, then suffocated to death by her husband — had been allowed to fall through the cracks, with little in the way of an inquest or meaningful investigation? How many cases, we now wonder, are missed because they lack determined advocates such as the Dulins?"

"Tom and Jan Purdy, of Waco, friends of the Dulins and privy to their uphill battle to reopen the investigation, are now pushing what they and others call “Kari’s Law,” which would require autopsies in such cases rather than leave the decision to authorities who are possibly overburdened with yet other duties (including issuing warrants, conducting marriages or setting bail) or are simply ill-equipped to make these critical decisions themselves."

"The idea certainly rates thoughtful consideration by lawmakers, especially considering that justices of the peace are elected positions, occupied by individuals who range widely in terms of competence, wisdom and knowledge. Many are excellent, some are not. And many do have other taxing duties." (read more)

Please click on the link and read the editorial. It's hard to pick just a couple quotes from such a richly written article.

Waco couple pushes for 'Kari's Law'

2010-02-14T08:14:00.003-06:00

Waco couple pushes for 'Kari's Law' to make autopsies mandatory for suspected suicides
Erin Quinn
WacoTrib.com

"A retired Waco couple is pushing state officials to amend Texas law in honor of 31-year-old Hewitt teacher Kari Baker, whose husband almost got away with murder by making her death look like a suicide.
Tom and Jan Purdy wrote a letter this week to 14 local and state officials urging them to back 'Kari’s Law,' which would mandate that an autopsy is conducted on any suspected suicide." (read more)

There are so many, many things that could have been done differently at Kari's crime scene that would have alleviated all the extra pain of the last four years and money spent gaining eventual justice for Kari. There has to be change. Change in the laws. And change in the hearts and minds of those whose paychecks are signed by the taxpayers of McLennan County. Autopsies for apparent suicides. Great! Local ME's office. Great! Person in charge of declaring a suspicious death of a young, healthy, vibrant 31-year old woman to be murder or suicide getting out of bed and showing up at what could be a crime scene..........FREE!

A comment on another website brings up the cost of autopsies....and how McLennan County would be picking up the tab on those. It costs approximately $2,000 to send a body to Dallas for an autopsy. I'm sure if we had our own ME and could do the autopsies locally, it would be much less plus as someone pointed out on the WacoTrib article, McLennan County would be able to make money by offering surrounding counties a closer ME's office for their autopsies. Okay. How much county funds were spent bringing Kari's murderer to justice? How much Dulin funds were spent investigating this case to a point where it was looked at by the District Attorney's office? How many autopsies could have been done with that money? Hundreds? Thousands? Erin reports there are approximately 25 suicides in McLennan County per year. You can do the math.

Can those involved in handling Kari's murder scene and eventual investigation look into Kari's daughters' eyes, hold their hands, and say that they did everything for their mother that they would have done for one of their very own family members? I personally know many of them that could. There are many more that it's obvious didn't even come close. What level of commitment do YOU want from your elected officials and law enforcement personnel if they were investigating YOUR mother or daughter's death?

If things are done right to begin with, not only do we save hundreds of thousands of dollars, we also save the mothers and fathers, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and children of murder victims years of grievous hell on earth. And you can't put a price tag on that.

"Kari's Law"

2010-02-12T11:44:00.007-06:00

On top of amazing and answered prayers, you all have been asking what more you can do to help. I have an answer! Tom and Jan Purdy, fellow church members with the Dulins at Calvary Baptist Church, have started an amazing campaign working to pass “Kari’s Law.” If a law like this could be passed, it would save COUNTLESS families from tragedies like the Dulins went through on top of and after the murder of their daughter, Kari. Not only that, it could even prevent some of these horrible murders set up to look like suicides if the potential murderer knew that their intended acts would be analyzed and investigated and not set aside for years and possibly never even questioned or looked at. Had a law like this been in place when Kari was murdered, it would have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars spent investigating and fighting for justice, both out of the Dulins’ pockets and the county’s pockets. It would have saved almost four years of agony and uncertainty for all involved. Kensi and Grace would never have had to live with the grievous lie that their mother left them of her own hand. Had a law like this been in place, Matt might not have even had the audacity to carry out Kari’s murder at all. “Kari’s Law” could be life saving!

The Purdy’s have drafted two letters. One is addressed specifically to Justice of the Peace Billy Martin. The other is to be sent to thirteen elected officials and some local legal experts as well. With just a little time and a few bucks for ink and postage, you can be a HUGE part in bringing about Kari’s Law. Let’s flood these offices with our letters and support and make this happen. It will honor Kari’s memory. It will save lives.

Here is a portion of one of the letters:

"We’re writing you because Texas law regarding “deaths requiring an inquest” must be changed and you can do something about it. See Texas Code of Crim. Pro §49.01 et. seq.

The tragic example necessitating this change is the case of Texas v. Matt Baker. As you know, in that case Matt Baker was found guilty of murdering his wife Kari by drugging her and then suffocating her with a pillow. During the trial, the evidence revealed that Baker staged the murder scene to make the responding officers believe Kari’s death was a suicide. An autopsy was later performed, but only after a formal inquest hearing was granted and after Kari had been interred. If, however, a full or partial autopsy would have been a mandatory requirement for apparent suicides, like it is in other states such as Oklahoma or Georgia, crucial evidence against Mr. Baker would have been better preserved.

As it stands, current Texas law states that a justice of the peace shall conduct an “inquest into the death of a person who dies if the person commits suicide or the circumstances of the death indicate that the death may have been caused by suicide.” Texas Code of Crim. Pro. §49.04. An “inquest means an investigation into the cause and circumstances of the death…, and a determination, made with or without a formal court hearing, as to whether the death was caused by an unlawful act.” Texas Code of Crim. Pro §49.01. Moreover, a justice of the peace can conduct the “inquest…at any other place determined to be reasonable by the justice.” In the Baker case, this meant that the presiding justice of the peace was able to investigate Kari Baker’s death and determine the cause via a late night phone call without getting out of bed. Finally, a justice of the peace has the sole discretion of whether to order an autopsy. Texas Code of Crim. Pro §49.10.

An illuminating article in the February 7, 2010 Waco Tribune-Herald revealed that a justice of the peace receives only six hours of training in determining deaths. With all of the other duties of a justice of the peace –performing marriages, issuing warrants, setting bail, conducting criminal and civil trials- it seems that determining death is one duty that should be void of discretion and ultimately up to a medical professional. The same article revealed that in 2009 the County spent approximately $160,000 on autopsies, all of which had to be conducted in Dallas because McLennan County is not required by law to have a medical examiner. While the point of “Kari’s Law” will be to eliminate the discretion in determining death and put that in the hands of a medical professional it seems that McLennan County should be able to hire a medical examiner based on the amount of funds that are already being expended to send these crucial cases to Dallas.

Accordingly, we are asking that you advocate for “Kari’s Law.” Since causes of death are not always obvious, especially when criminals go to great lengths to deceive law enforcement officers, “Kari’s Law” would require either a full or partial autopsy in cases where a person dies as a result of suicide. Texas does not need to experience another State v. Baker, and Texas families should not have to request a formal inquest hearing in order to find the truth."

NOTE: The docstoc.com site wasn't working right. I have uploaded these documents to Google Docs and it seems to be working fine. OR you can email me and I will attach them in my email reply. There will be some instructions in bold print at the top of each letter you download. After you make the appropriate changes to customize your letters, don’t forget to delete the instructions at the top. Thanks so much!

"Kari's Law" - General Letter

"Kari's Law" - Letter to Justice of the Peace Billy Martin

Custody

2010-02-09T20:41:00.006-06:00

Baker loses bid for new attorney as maternal grandparents of daughters file for custody
Tommy Witherspoon
WacoTrib.com

"Baker, 38, was sentenced to 65 years in prison last month in the April 2006 suffocation and drugging death of Kari Baker, the girls’ mother. He remains in the McLennan County Jail awaiting transfer to prison.
The Dulins pledged to seek custody of the girls and make them their first priority at the completion of Baker’s trial." (read more)

Below are two more quotes from Tommy's article and my comments are bolded.

“They have a good set of friends that they have had for nearly four years now in school, and they are in good classes with good friends,” Barbara Baker said. “They are involved in sports, community activities, church activities, and the thought of changing all that terrifies them.”
Well, three and a half years ago the girls were uprooted from where they had been living, pulled out of good classes and away from good friends. In Hewitt and Waco, they were involved in sports, community activities, church activities. After killing their mother, Matt uprooted the girls' world and moved them to Kerrville. And you know what, that's okay with me. There were other grown-up issues the girls weren't old enough to understand. Matt wanted to be with his family for help. Moving happens all the time. Adults have to decide what is best. There are reasons that children don't make such huge family decisions.

The girls are convinced that their mother committed suicide and that their father has been wrongfully convicted, she said.
This is HUGE. We can't know at this point in time know what the girls would want if they were allowed to know the truth, work through it, heal and grow from it. Barbara Baker will not allow the truth in that household. She says it adamantly, wholly, time and time again. TRUTH IS NOT AN OPTION in the Baker household. And even if there is that seed in the girls hearts and minds that they do believe Kari didn't leave them of her own choosing, they would not be allowed to show it, verbalize it, question it. TRUTH IS NOT AN OPTION in the Baker household. I could live with moving and uprooting. It sucks for kids. Sucks for kids all around the world that are moving for the family's (and their) best interest and wellbeing. What I can't stand is a murdered woman's children being force-fed lies for years and years and even in the face of the truth and conviction of their mother's murderer, can't embrace the truth and begin to finally heal. How can they be free to express their true feelings and thoughts in a household that simply will not allow it. Without truth, there can be no healing. I don't care if you show up to every basketball game, school play, church on Sunday, etc; if truth is barred from your home and harmful, disgusting lies piled upon these girls year in and year out ON TOP OF the complete desecration of their sweet Mother's memory and continual murder of her spirit year after year, you are not spiritually and emotionally fit to raise these two girls. Period. Without truth, what do you have? The absence of truth raises what?

I will close with a comment from the article that is left by "hb." It is worth sharing wherever it can be shared:

"This whole situation is tragic. These girls have had their lives shaped by the tragedy of the loss of their mother and now the loss of their father. The main issue must be the ultimate welfare of the girls - not just for today, this school year, but for their entire lives. The only way they can begin to heal is to honestly face the tragedies that have occurred. Living in Kerrville, I know that the girls have many good friends and are secure in their lives. My niece is one of their good friends. However, I do not believe that the Baker's will give them the counseling that is needed for the healing to occur. They still refuse to admit that Matt did anything wrong. At this point, that shows not only mindful ignorance, but neglect as well. While it may be hard to uproot them, it is better than leaving them to grow in a toxic household. That is not to say the Baker's are evil people, I am sure they are not, but there is line between support of your children and indulence [indolence] in harmful behavior. I think they have crossed that line. And looking at this from the perspective of the Dulin's, would any of you be willing to let your grandchildren stay with the family that was responsible for killing your daughter? As a parent, I would never do that and neither will Linda and Jim."

Judge denies Baker's further abuse of the system....I mean, request for YET another attorney that might possibly believe for a minute

2010-02-08T19:25:00.002-06:00

Judge denies Matt Baker's request to replace attorney
Tommy Witherspoon
WacoTrib.com

Judge Ralph Strother of Waco's 19th State District Court denied a request today from convicted killer Matt Baker to replace his court-appointed appellate attorney.The judge told Baker that Waco lawyer Stan Schwieger is an "excellent
appellate attorney," adding that he would not have appointed him to the case if he didn't think so. (read more)

Judge Denies Ex-Pastor Matt Baker's Request For A New Attorney
Eli Ross
KWTX - Channel 10

WACO (February 8, 2010)—State District Judge Ralph Strother said no Monday to a request from former Waco pastor Matt Baker for a new attorney to represent him as he appeals his conviction for murder in the April 2006 suffocation death of his wife Kari Lynn.

"When you rely on the taxpayers you don't get to choose,” Strother told Baker Monday.

"Stop listening to people who have no knowledge of the system,” Strother said. (read more)

My Two Cents on Justice of the Peace Martin

2010-02-07T14:10:00.002-06:00

While reading Erin Quinn's article, Justices of Peace have leeway in dealing with death issues, on the WacoTrib.com this morning, several things came to mind. A couple of quotes, in particular, from her article speak volumes: (italic emphasis by me)

"Texas law states that a justice of the peace can conduct an inquest — or determine the cause and circumstances of a person’s death — where the person died, where the body was found, or 'at any other place determined to be reasonable by the justice.'”
"With no qualifications required, a vague law to follow and only voters as
their bosses, McLennan County’s eight justices of the peace make rulings on
every death, even those attended by some physicians. They can seek information
from the person’s family, an autopsy, law enforcement, doctors and what they’ve
learned in their training."

I left a comment on the online article, but I think it was either too long or contained a link or maybe just too bold to be published. So I will just post it here in my forum and invite your comments and thoughts on the matter:

Erin, those two quotes from your article speak volumes. As citizens of McLennan County, we have the authority and duty to vote in the best people to be our Justices of the Peace. We have to vote in Justices of the Peace that are not only wise and vigilant but also inquisitive and caring enough that we can trust them to use this wisdom and vigilance to make informed, reasonable determinations.

Granted, there are not a lot of murders in Hewitt, Texas and this is not routine for these officers. Mistakes were made, yes. But at least three officers/detectives with the Hewitt PD made reference to an autopsy. The following information is all on the record and can be found by viewing or downloading the August 29, 2007 formal inquest proceedings from the WacoTrib.com. You will find that link here: http://www.wacotrib.com/news/crime/MattBaker/

Sergeant Kasting was the FIRST one to call JP Martin. He reported his findings at the scene to him. He read the typed suicide note to JP Martin. I do not know if he indicated to him that it was an un-signed, typed note or not. That would be interesting to know. Then Detective Bond arrives at the scene and takes the photographs and asks Kasting if an autopsy was ordered. Detective Bond must have had a reason to ask. Sergeant Kasting didn't specifically ask JP Martin if he wanted to order an autopsy in his first phone call so he called JP Martin a SECOND time and specifically asked about ordering an autopsy. JP Martin said that no, at that time he wasn't going to order one. Then Detective Cooper arrives on the scene. He and Sergeant Kasting discuss their observations. Detective Cooper asks specifically if he had contacted a justice of the peace and Kasting said that he had and that JP Martin did not want to order an autopsy. Detective Cooper was concerned enough that he contacted JP Martin himself. This was the THIRD phone call by authorities on the scene to JP Martin in the early morning hours of April 8. Detective Cooper went over his observations with JP Martin and even on this third phone call, JP Martin still did not order an autopsy. Detective Cooper was still so concerned about this lack of order for autopsy, that he called his police captain and informed him of the situation. Police captain actually said it was okay and that if the justice of the peace didn't want an autopsy, they wouldn't have one.

Lots of balls were dropped during this whole investigation and ordeal leading up to Matt's second arrest, indictment and finally his conviction. And I know that people make mistakes and that Justice of the Peace Martin is only human. But God Lord, even after THREE phone calls from authorities on the scene, he doesn't think it's even important or curious enough to pause, ask questions or attempt to come to the scene for himself? This was his "reasonable determination"? I would also like to add that even on the witness stand at the murder trial, JP Martin seemed to take no responsibility or have any regrets for not ordering an autopsy on Kari's murdered body. Has he learned nothing from this horrible mistake? Has he done the same thing since Kari's murder? Will he continue to do so in the future? Is this what the voters and taxpayers of McLennan County deserve from their justices of the peace?

I do give thanks that in August of 2007, Justice of the Peace Martin finally rose to the task of asking investigative questions at this formal inquest and taking the big step forward in changing his previous un-investigated ruling on cause of death as suicide to the slightly more-informed ruling on cause of death as undetermined. That started the ball rolling for Justice for Kari. For that, I do thank you Justice Martin. And I hope and pray that all of McLennan County Justices of the Peace remember the travesty of justice shown to Kari Dulin Baker (and her daughters and family) for so long before due diligence finally came to her murder case.

Expert Opinion VS Baker Opinion

2010-02-05T05:54:00.006-06:00

Convicted killer Baker, appellate attorney seek to part ways
Tommy Witherspoon
WacoTrib.com

"Baker’s letter says he wants to fire Schwieger “due to his refusing to represent me appropriately in a post-conviction motion (i.e. motion for new trial).”

Baker’s mother, Barbara Baker, said Thursday the Bakers are seeking to replace Schwieger because he reportedly told them he did not intend to file a motion for new trial, which is rarely granted.

She said he told them that he would wait for a transcript of the trial to be prepared and then file a direct appeal." (read more)

God forbid the self-proclaimed "Baker Duet" take the advice of an experienced appellate attorney in state and federal court and instead insist on playing this out according their their thoughts on the matter. Go ahead and throw precedent and legal logic out the window and then call foul on the system when it doesn't work for you. Looks like the final nail in this coffin will be self-imposed.

Tommy also has an update on Vanessa in the article.

VIDEO: Channel 25 - Bruce Gietzen's phone interview with Barbara Baker
KXXV.com

Whoops! Another one ran for the door.........

2010-02-04T13:57:00.008-06:00

Report from KCENTV.com

"The former Central Texas pastor charged with the murder of his wife, Matt Baker, seems to be having legal problems.
Thursday morning Baker's appellate attorney, Stan Schwieger, submitted a motion to withdraw from Baker's case." (read more)

Baker asks for new lawyer in murder case appeal
Tommy Witherspoon
WacoTrib.com

"The judge said that Waco attorney Stan Schwieger presented his court Thursday with a motion to withdraw as Baker's appellate attorney." (read more)

View Matt's handwritten letter to Judge Strother here in Tommy's article linked above.

Matt Baker files a motion requesting a new appeals lawyer
Channel 25 - KXXV.com

"WACO - Convicted murderer and former pastor Matt Baker has filed a motion to
withdraw Stan Schwieger as his appeals attorney." (read more)

Wonder why no attorneys want anything to do with the "murdering minister"? Hearing scheduled Monday at 10:00 to discuss this matter. Should be interesting.

In answer to your emails....

2010-02-03T19:59:00.004-06:00

Goodness. So many people have contacted me via email and phone about how they can help the Dulins in this next leg of their legal journey as they work to get Kensi and Grace the help they need. Professional help for them....to replace hate with love....give them back their childhood....let them know it is okay to love their Mom, their Mom's family....and yes, still love their Dad! No one in Kari's family wants these girls to feel pulled or hurt more than they already are. However, this won't be easy because Matt Baker's family seems determined to continue this charade and denial and for that, that ultimate losers are the girls.....Kari's daughters!! Without the truth, there can be no healing. How can someone without even one loving thing to say about their Mother raise them with the real truth of how much their Mother loved them and how she did not leave them by her own hand? Matt's mother statements about Kari have always been completely negative...even going to far as to say that, "Suicide is an answer to pain you can't get rid of......and that it was not a bad answer for her [Kari]."

Kensi and Grace deserve, above all, to know their Mother adored them! Loved them beyond measure! Would have never left them! They deserve to know, work through and blossom on the other side of the truth!

I believe that the Dulins are Kensi and Graces VERY BEST (and possibly only) way for them to grow up whole and free from lies and hate and be able to heal with the truth. As you can hear and see for yourself in Linda's victim's impact statement, Jim and Linda have forgiven Matt. They are not harboring hate in their hearts or home. They just want truth, love and freedom for Kari's daughters.

A portion of an email from a friend, Sadie, hits the nail on the head.... "Bottom line: The Bakers cannot hold the delusional (or self-protecting) line that Matt is innocent and Kari committed suicide -- and that the Dulins had Matt railroaded,etc., -- without harming the girls and their ability to cope with the truth about their parents."

Okay. I'm not saying what you don't already know. I have received so many emails and phone calls saying the very same things. For the so many of you that have expressed the desire to help the Dulins in the next leg of this journey of getting Kari's daughters the help and healing they need, please feel free to email me and we can talk. God bless you and above all, keep those prayers up!

Appeal Talk

2010-01-26T06:38:00.002-06:00

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......"

2010-01-25T19:21:00.002-06:00

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

2010-01-25T18:04:00.004-06:00

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

2010-01-24T12:10:00.008-06:00

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!!

2010-01-21T19:17:00.003-06:00

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!

Here's to 2010 !!

2009-12-31T17:36:00.008-06:00

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful New Years. Lots to look forward to in the coming year. God bless you all!

As a possible, maybe witness for the State, the gag order imposed on lawyers, parties of the case and witnesses has finally reached out to me. So in order to not risk predjucing anything, I will have to hold off all reports and commentaries until the end of the trial. But then, look out! I'll make up for lost time.

In order to keep up with what the news stories, I'll link you up to the local news sources. They'll be covering it all along the way. Just check it each day during the trial. I might be able to link news links/titles along the way, but not sure now. So here goes:

WacoTrib.com <----Check daily for Erin Quinn's live blog.

Watch the trial live on MYTX. My Texas Television is on Channel 9.2, which is also local cable Channel 132.

You can also watch the trial live at www.centraltexasnow.com.

KWTX.com

KXXV.com

KCENTV.com

Let's chat on the "other side."
FYI: By "other side," I mean after the trial.

JUSTICE FOR KARI!!

My "LAYMAN'S" Interpretation of today's events

2009-12-30T12:12:00.003-06:00

Again. Keyword: Layman.

This is just what I typed out from my notes this morning. I haven't really proofed it yet but wanted to get this out as I have had emails and calls asking how things went. Here is my unproofed, typed from scribbled notes, layman's interpretation of the pre-trial hearing this morning:

First thing I want to comment on is that Matt brought the girls to this hearing. Paraded them in front of news cameras. They were in the courtroom for a while and then they sat outside during the actual hearing. The "run to hug after Dad exited the courtroom" caught on video for sure. Most parents that truly love their children and want to protect them, shield them from being a public spectacle. Not Matt. He parades them like trophies soley for sympathy and pity. Is this him trying to show the world he's a great father? Little late for that. The people of McLennan County (and potential jurors) see right through that charade. Shameful.

Motion to Request Reveal Agreement GRANTED
Defendant wants to know what the agreement between the State and Vannessa entails. Crawford said he will make that known some time prior to trial. Didn't say when. Judge granted to this extent that Crawford said. It's left rather open and in the State's discretion and timing.

Motion to Quash Substance of Indictment DENIED
Danford went on about the "means unknown" part in the Indictment. Crawford pointed out that the State is allowed to plead "means unknown" or "alternative means" or "by any means known" or "by any means unknown." Pointed out that McDuff was tried, convicted and executed under such Indictment and trial wording.

Motion to Reveal Witness List GRANTED
It's been public record for a while now anyway. Gray pointed out that the State can call witnesses that are not on the subpoena list and he wants full list. Crawford says the subpoena list is the full list, including experts, to date. If they get more in the future, he will make known to the Defense.

Motion for Voir Dire of Experts GRANTED
Shafer said that the expert list was made known a month ago. Gray says the State claims to have an open file stance but that it seems to be more like 90% open. Crawford agreed. Judge was fine with that, it seemed.

Motion for Recovery of Expenses GRANTED
Gray and Danford said they need more money for their investigator to look into all those witnesses. Gray pointed out that they have nto asked the Court for money for experts, that they have none they intend to call. They just want more investigative money. Judge agreed to $1,500. Fine by me.

Motion for Discovery of Experts AGREED UPON
Defense claims they have no experts but if they come up with one/some, Gray says he'll make that known. Shafer pointed out that experts are supposed to be made public 20 days prior to trial. Gray says they just don't have any right now. But if/when he does, he'll let them know. State says most likely they'll actually call 2-3 of their experts.

Motion for Gray to withdraw as counsel DENIED
I'm confused on this one. I *thought* he said (through mumbling) that is was a scheduling conflict. He wasn't sure he'd be able to finish the trial if he started it. Something about it being in his (Gray's) best interest to withdraw but if Court says for him to stay on, he'll do so. But Channel 25 reports something altogether different. They may have talked more about it with him or the Judge or heard him better than I did. They say, "One of Baker's attorney's, Guy James Gray, asked to be removed from the case because of 'serious and material breach of conduct' - this was denied this morning." Will find out more. KWTX's words included the phrase "serious and material breach of confidence." Judge asked Matt Baker if he wanted Gray to stay on, he said yes. So Gray is still on for now.

Gray said he wanted to renew Ellison's request for the Grand Jury testimony of Vanessa Bulls to be made known to them. He said they had a "particularized need" to have that. Crawford so eloquently pointed out that the Texas Rules have done away with the "particularized need" aspect. Gray admitted with an awkward chuckle that sometimes the Texas Rules get away from him in changing so fast. Crawford pointed out that the Texas Rules allows Defendants to see production of witnesses in criminal cases AFTER the witness has testified. I am supposing that means after he/she testifies at the actual trial. Gray told the Judge it was up to the Court's discretion for him to allow them to see it before trial to aid the efficiency of the trial....not cause delays. He said it was a matter of "pure d fairness.'" Judge, "DENIED." He said he'd keep an open mind. Trial is 2 weeks away. I think he'd give it to them by now if he had any intentions to. Some of the best news of the day.

Another VERY interesting thing brought up by Gray was that the DNA evidence taken on the suicide note and bottle of pills DID NOT exclude Vanessa Bull's having touched it. Oh, really?! They tried to complain that Vanessa changed her story from the first police report where she didn't imply guilt on her or Matt's part at all. Then another interview later where she still denied it. And then on the Grand Jury she changed her statement. Well, duh. Fear and testimonial immunity can open up a person's ability to tell the truth!

Gray wanted to renew Ellison's request that no extraneous extra offenses be brought up. Judge said that is routine and he'll be sure and make that known.

Some minor changes in trial dates. They will do jury voir dire and motions in limine Monday afternoon, the 11th. Trial to start the morning of the 12th.

There are approximately 70 people on the potential jury panel. Judge gave following instructions to Defense attorneys (since they had not been in trial in Judge Strother's court before) regarding voir dire of potential jurors. NO comparison on standards of proof on civil vs criminal cases. NO setting up of artificial premises and causing controversy over it for either side.

Crawford reminded Judge to enforce and remind Defense that the gag order was still in effect for involved parties. The Judge thanked him for the reminder. Judge said Danford was quoted saying something about the nature of the State's case in the newspaper and NOT to do that. Danford apologized.

Very good day in court

2009-12-30T10:30:00.006-06:00

I will get my notes together and post my experiences in a bit. So far, KXXV.com is the only news report out on it. So I'll post that to get things started.

DEVELOPING: Matt Baker's pre-trial underway
KXXV.com
by Zlatko Filipovic

"WACO - The former preacher accused of murdering his wife and trying to make
it look like suicide is having his first day in court Wednesday morning. Matt Baker showed up for a pre-trial hearing and his full trial is set to begin on January 12th. News Channel 25 is in the court and this is what happened so far:" (read more)

Their website says they will have more information on the Texas Report at 11:00 am, Channel 25, KXXV.

Story has now popped up on KWTX.com

Murder Trial Of Former Waco-Area Pastor Matt Baker Could Take 2 Weeks
KWTX.com
Eli Ross

"WACO (December 30, 2009)—The trial of former Waco-area pastor Matt Baker, who was indicted murder in the death of his wife, could take two weeks, 19th District Judge Ralph Strother said Wednesday during the final hearing before the start of the trial on Jan. 11."
AND
"Strother denied a defense request Wednesday for a transcript of the grand jury testimony of Baker’s former girlfriend Vanessa Bulls, but granted a defense motion seeking additional funds for an investigator." (read more)

Yesterday's courthouse visit....

2009-12-29T08:41:00.007-06:00

VERY interesting day at the courthouse yesterday. Not your typical pop-in-and-check-on-records trip in the district clerk's office.

There are some VERY interesting people and businesses on the 100+ witness subpoena applications. But I won't get into those here at this time. If you're wondering if you're on the list, you can email me.

Matt has a new attorney (again) assisting Gray in this matter. His name is Harold J. Danford, a big-wig DWI attorney. Go figure. He is the one that drafted the various motions that the Court will take into consideration at the pre-trial hearing tomorrow. Here are some that I copied down along with my layman's interpretation. Keyword "layman."

Motion to Request State to Reveal Agreement
They are dying to know what Matt's *alleged* girlfriend, Vanessa Bulls, told the Grand Jury that secured the immediate indictment for first degree felony murder. The Judge has denied this motion for months. Don't know what his plan is but he's a wise man and we'll see what he does tomorrow. The defense also wants to know what the agreement is between the DA's office and Vanessa that offers her prosecutorial (sp?) immunity in this case. Very understandable. We'll see what the Judge thinks.

Motion to Quash and Exception to Substance of Indictment
They don't like that the indictment doesn't detail one specific manner of death that they need to prepare their defense for.

"Further, the indictment alleges 'by administering drugs and suffocating her with a pillow.' The defendant is entitled to know exactly what charge the State plans to proceed on at trial. This indictment alleges three separate means of murder and the defendant is entitled to know by which means the State plans to proceed. The State must make an election as to which manner and means it intends to proceed to trial under."

All three sentences say the exact same thing. These motions could be reduced to a paragraph if they weren't puffed and fluffed so much. Basically, they're confused on how to direct their defense. Why is that complicated? If he didn't murder her in any manner, he didn't murder her in any manner.

Motion to Quash and Exception to Form of Indictment
Again, discussing which manner of death they need to defend. Also,

"Wherefore, premises considered, Matt Baker prays that the Court quash the
indictment due to the defects of form outlined above, and discharge Matt D.
Baker."

Good luck with that one.

Motion for Witness List
Well, that's already filed. I got it yesterday. They also are asking for the reports and data of expert witnesses. They want criminal records of each witness showing every conviction or probation for felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude which is admissible for impeachment. Sounds like a delay tactic to me. Do your own research if you're that worried.

Motion for Voir Dire of Experts
This would be a hearing prior to trial, sans jury, to discuss qualifications of all expert witnesses and determine the underlying facts and data upon which opinion is based. Not sure if this is what will be hashed out tomorrow or if it will be a separate hearing.

Motion for Recovery of Investigative Expenses
Matt's investigator has billed for another $1,500.

Defendants Motion for Discovery of Experts
Just more wanting info on experts.

The divulging of witnesses is a one-way street, it seems. The State has to post their list of witnesses but the defense does not. It's annoying but it's alright. The evidence is heavily in the State's favor. I can't imagine who or what the defense could call that would outweigh the facts and evidence.

Until tomorrow.....

More on pre-trial motions...

2009-12-27T09:11:00.001-06:00

Baker trial approaches: 97 witnesses subpoenaed; defense lawyer wants information about alleged girlfriend's deal to testify
Tommy Witherspoon
WacoTrib.com

"Most of the pretrial motions filed last week by Danford are routine. However, in one, Baker is asking the judge to order prosecutors to reveal the details of any agreements they entered into to obtain the testimonies of witnesses, especially Bulls, Baker’s alleged former girlfriend.

Judge Matt Johnson granted Bulls testimonial immunity before her March 25 grand jury appearance, meaning nothing she said during her testimony could be used against her. Baker’s lawyers have been unsuccessful thus far in gaining access to a transcript of her grand jury testimony, after which Baker was indicted." (read more)

Pre-Trial Hearing - December 30

2009-12-23T17:29:00.002-06:00

Date Set For Murder Trial Of Former Waco-Area Pastor Matt Baker
KWTX.com

"WACO (December 23, 2009)--Former Waco-area pastor Matt Baker, who was
indicted murder in the death of his wife, is set for a final pre-trial hearing next week in Waco before his trial begins in January. Baker and his attorney will appear in Judge Ralph Strother's 19th State District Court next Wednesday for the final pre-trial hearing.

Baker's trial is set to begin on Jan. 11, 2010.
Assistant McLennan County District Attorneys Susan Schaeffer and
Crawford Long are prosecuting the case." (read more)

Trial dates set for Matt Baker
KXXV.com

"19th District Court records show Matt Baker is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Dec. 30 and his full trial is set to begin on Jan. 11." (read more)

Justice in 2010

2009-12-19T18:59:00.001-06:00

Mark your calendars for justice to finally arrive mid-January 2010. Jury selection starts January 12 with the trial following. Less than a month away now. We have all waited long enough. And it is time. We've waited long enough for this justice and to hold Matt Baker responsible for taking my son's teacher, Jim and Linda's daughter, Adam's sister....but most importantly Kensi and Grace's Mother.

Once all the evidence is laid out there for everyone to see, it will all be so clear....beyond a reasonable doubt....that Matt Baker must spend the rest of his life in prison for his crime.

Did he really think he would get away with murder? That good people would walk away and JUST FORGET? Kari was loved and WE fight for those we love....and they don't even have to be our own blood. This profound sense of justice and love may not be something someone like Matt Baker would understand. It's powerful stuff.

JUSTICE FOR KARI (AND KENSI & GRACE) IN 2010!

"If something happens, check out my husband...."

2009-09-22T16:17:00.008-05:00

I received an email from someone else whose life was tragically touched by a possible Eraser Killer. With permission, I am sharing that with you here.

I just wanted to tell you what an impact that Kari’s case has made on me. You see, my own Mother was supposedly found pulseless, with blue lips, and cold in early March of 2008 by her then husband. As the twisted story unraveled, it became more and more clear that he had done something to our Mother. We believe he suffocated her as well, after shoving pills in her mouth to make it look like she had overdosed or something.
These men out there, that have such disregard for life, that they feel they must kill in order to be less burdened or feel they are going to lose there belonging because of a divorce they would rather commit such terrible acts, just make me sick. In my Mother’s case, the ambulance was called almost 45 minutes after he said he found her and only when her best friend came over to drive her to her Dr. Appt she had. The paramedics worked on her all the way to the hospital, then the hospital worked on her for well over an hour, finally regaining a pulse, but it was to late because she was brain dead due to lack of oxygen. My Mother was 2 days before turning 61.
My mother's case is an open investigation that seems to just drag on. We are trying to get Mama exhumed, but the case is just dragging. I have had to hire a team of private investigators, including a forensics death nurse to assist in the investigation because of the slow pace of the sheriff’s office.
I just want you and Kari’s family to know that there are more of these “Eraser” killers out there than you know and I pray that you get the justice for Kari that you deserve. I know what a relief this will be for you, when he is convicted. I too, await that day when my monster step father pays for what he did to my Mother. He remarried another woman 5 weeks after my Mother was buried, and her name is the same name as my Mama, and she is the same age as well as body build. These men are truly evil and the thing about it is he thinks he has gotten away with this. Just like I am sure Matt felt until he was finally arrested. And "his" timeline of
events is as way off on his version of the "truth" as Matt's is.
Kari’s case is so similar to my mother’s that it put chills on me when I watched it. I know the pain you all carry day to day, because I share the same pain.

I emailed her back thanking her for her email and to let her know I'd add her to my prayers. I also asked if I might share her story on the blog. The following is a portion of her response:

Thank you so much for your kind response. All prayers are certainly needed and most certainly deeply appreciated.
We did not do an autopsy at the time of my Mother’s death. “He” had told me and my siblings he had feared she had “overdosed” due to pills coming out of her mouth when he arrived home. I wanted to have the autopsy done, but my siblings just could not bear it, especially thinking that Mama could have overdosed accidentally or utherwise. So for sake of not fighting at the hospital, it was not done.
I turned over all of my Mother’s medical reports from the ambulance, hospitals and her regular Dr.’s to the forensics death nurse who is also a licensed private investigator. She went through each report and evaluated her findings. She also is the one that introduced me to “Eraser” killers and felt “HE” met the profile. She has assisted many different agencies as an expert witness. I felt she was truly needed, as I had to show the sheriff’s office that we believed foul play was involved and that it was not just a stroke , natural causes or any other excuse they could find. I have found her knowledge and expertise in this field, crucial to my Mama’s case.
Shannon, I am honored that you offered to put my email on your blog. Please, Please do so. I believe the more it is put out there, that these monsters exists amongst us, the more educated people can become. My Mama also told her best friend around a month before her death “if anything happens to me look into “HIM.” Just like Kari.
I just ask that you do not use my name or Mama’s name at this time. Also, my private investigators wanted me to let you know how we “all” had watched the re-airing of Kari’s story coincidentally at the same time and how it effected all of us. We “all” just could not believe the similarities, almost as if “HE” had taken notes from Matt.
You have no idea the pains I have been through to get the authorities to listen to me and look into that monster that was married to my Mother. My Mother would still be here today if it were not for “HIM”, just as I am convinced Kari would be still here as well. That is what is so tragic. So full of life and love for their families only to have the life snuffed out of them by a bold faced, lying, manipulative, coward who could only see the importance of their on life and no one else’s.
May God bless Kari's family with the justice deserved as you all approach the trial, and I will be praying for her family, as well as continuing my own quest for justice for my sweet Mother.

For more information on Eraser Killers, please re-visit my post Eraser Killers - Men Who Make Women Disappear. Also, check into Marilee Strong's book, "Erased: Missing Women, Murdered Wives."

And don't miss the article on lemondrop.com discussing Strong's book. In the photo gallery, you'll find Matt Baker listed in the company of Scott Peterson, Mark Hacking, Ira Einhorn, Tim Boczkowski, Barton Corbin and Drew Peterson. The experts see this so clearly.