Longing for 10 more minutes, I guess...

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.

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....

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

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]

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

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....

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 ;)

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

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

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

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

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.......

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

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!

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.....

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....

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

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.....

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

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