Crime & Safety
Judge Delays Baker Sentencing, Orders More Tests
Lawyer for Deerfield man convicted of beating a Vernon Hills woman to death with a baseball bat again asks judge to consider Baker's competence.
Sentencing for a Deerfield man convicted of beating a Vernon Hills woman to death nearly three years ago was delayed a second time Tuesday when the judge ordered a mental fitness evaluation after a request by his attorney, according to a Chicago Tribune story.
, the mother of his then girlfriend, Nov. 5 by Lake County Criminal Court Judge Daniel Shanes, according to coverage by Patch.
“I’m not finding a bona fide doubt as to fitness,” Shanes said in the Tribune story. “It can’t hurt to have another opinion.” With that, he ordered a review of Baker’s competency and continued the case until March 20.
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When Shanes convicted Baker in a bench trial Nov. 5, he ruled the , according to Patch’s coverage of the verdict.
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