The large crosspost reflects the newsgroups discussing the Baker case, as far as I am aware. If you followup this message, please set the newsgroups line appropriately for your discussion.
The University of Michigan has been on spring break for the past week. This information is the most recent I could obtain, from 2/16/95. If this news was already posted, it would have expired before I could read it. My apologies if you have seen this before.
Info gleaned from articles by Josh White in the 2/16/95 Michigan Daily.
Sandy Pallazalo, a spokesperson for the Detroit U.S. Attorney's office, said the grand jury indictment prevents the necessity of the previously scheduled probable cause hearing. After the arraignment, the lawyers will have 20 days to file motions, but it is likely to be longer before the trial starts. Federal Judge Avern Cohn is scheduled to hear the trial at the U.S. District Court in Detroit.
Douglas Mullkoff, Baker's attorney, said the grand jury indictment is a way for the prosecution to avoid presenting the case against Baker before a judge in a preliminary hearing.
"The U.S. Attorney did this so that he would not have to deal with a judge in presenting probable cause," said Mullkoff. "He was able to present the prosecution's side without a defense attorney, without a judge. He was basically lecturing to 16 to 22 jurors. He rubber-stamped a foregone conclusion. If he had to present the facts to a judge, he might not have had a trial coming up."
Prosecuting attorney Ken Chadwell could not be reached for comment.
Portions of Baker's correspondence with Phil Watson, in which Baker defended his stories, also appeared in the 2/16/95 daily. Watson forwarded Baker's stories and email correspondence to university and federal authorities. Watson's email address appeared on documents entered into evidence at Baker's 2/10/95 detention hearing.
I have created a WWW page with facts related to the Baker case, including (among other things) my previous postings on the topic, the story in dispute (with the victim's name changed), and the US Attorney's affidavit. This information will remain available until interest wanes or the University threatens to suspend me. (no smilies here) The page is located at:
http://krusty.eecs.umich.edu/people/pjswan/Baker/Jake_Baker.html
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| Peter J. Swanson | pjswan@engin.umich.edu |
| PhD Candidate | controls specialist |
| Electrical Engineering:Systems | impact, chaotic motion, |
| University of Michigan | vibratory part orientation |