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.

Find out what's happening in Deerfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When Shanes convicted Baker in a bench trial Nov. 5, he ruled the , according to Patch’s coverage of the verdict.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.