Matt Baker, "Murdering Minister," Gets 65 Years for Killing Wife

By: Carlin DeGuerin Miller
Topics: Daily Blotter

(AP/Rod Aydelotte)

(CBS)

(AP Photo/ Waco Tribune Herald)

WACO, Texas (CBS/AP) More than three years after Matt Baker drugged his wife with sleeping pills and smothered her to death so he could be with his mistress, a Texas jury sentenced him to 65 years in prison.

Photo: Matt Baker after sentencing Jan. 21, 2010.

"You took her from us, Matt; you discarded her like she was yesterday's trash ... and you left so many other victims," the victim's mother, Linda Dulin, said during sentencing.
Kari Baker's death was originally deemed a suicide after a note and sleeping pills were found by her bed in 2006. Matt Baker said she was depressed over their 16-month-old daughter's cancer death in 1999.

Photo: Matt Baker and his Wife Kari Baker.

But authorities reopened the case several months later after her parents shared evidence obtained for their wrongful death lawsuit against Baker.

At the sentencing hearing when the judge asked Matt Baker if there was any legal reason why he should not be formally sentenced, he said "I truly believe in my innocence. I believe the jury made a mistake in this."

He can appeal but will have to find other attorneys. His defense lawyers, Guy James Gray and Harold Danford, were removed after sentencing, as they had requested.

Photo: Ex-mistress Vanessa Bulls testifies against Matt Baker Jan. 19, 2009 in Waco, Texas court.

Gray said after the trial that he felt "like an idiot" for initially believing Matt Baker's denial of an affair with mistress Vanessa Bulls. Matt Baker later admitted the affair and Bulls provided devastating testimony during the trial. Gray said that he did not allow Baker to testify because he "could not vouch for his credibility." Gray said Baker remained in denial about murdering Kari, and he represented his client as best he could.

"When you lose faith in your client, you lose heart," Gray said.

During sentencing, Kari's mother, Linda Dulin, told Matt Baker that the family had decided to forgive him for the sake of the two daughters he and his wife had together, but not before venting her rage.

"What you did was horrific," she said. "I believe you are capable of much more evil."

Matt Baker will be eligible for parole in 32 years.

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
January 22, 2010 - Will Preacher Matt Baker Get Life for Killing Wife? Erin Moriarty Blogs from Court
January 21, 2010 - Preacher Matt Baker Guilty of Killing Wife; Could Get Life In Prison as Jury Hears New Sex Evidence
January 20, 2010 - Matt Baker Trial: Ex Mistress Vanessa Bulls Says Preacher Killed Wife
January 19, 2010 - Erin Moriarty: Matt Baker Lied to Me, But Did the Texas Preacher Kill His Wife?

MORE ON 48 HOURS | MYSTERY
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by Unstoppable1 October 31, 2010 2:22 AM EDT

His conviction completely hinged upon his alleged mistress's testimony. She told two stories and the court picked one to believe.

Personally, I feel sorry for people who are swept up in these cases brought about by pissed-off family members. I recommend against marriage into any family where there is any lack of acceptance and you could suffer under the oppression of the spouses family with ample time and money to prosecute whatever they feel is necessary. Never marry into money, e.g.

I have no idea what happened in this case - but the overall process gives me the creeps. My wife and I, after watching 48 Hours, both said, "Please cremate me after I die ASAP and never complain about me to your birth family!!".

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by catwoman1952 August 1, 2011 5:33 PM EDT: Wow, talk about paranoia


by Unstoppable1 October 31, 2010 2:21 AM EDT: His conviction completely hinged upon his alleged mistress's testimony. She told two stories and the court picked one to believe.

Personally, I feel sorry for people who are swept up in these cases brought about by pissed-off family members. I recommend against marriage into any family where there is any lack of acceptance and you could suffer under the oppression of the spouses family with ample time and money to prosecute whatever they feel is necessary. Never marry into money, e.g.

I have no idea what happened in this case - but the overall process gives me the creeps. My wife and I, after watching 48 Hours, both said, "Please cremate me after I die ASAP and never complain about me to your birth family!!".; Reply to this comment


by USCMD October 31, 2010 1:50 AM EDT: What a disgusting maggot. Its fortunate, that hes no longer in a position to use his title, to mistreat women he came in contact with as a preacher.

I nearly lost it, listening to his lies. Just another conscience-less sociopath. Every person he meets is just another dish at a buffet.

Now little Matt will have 65 long years to become a capable prison b***h. Stock up on lubricant Matt, that dry air will ruin your skin.; Reply to this comment


by garycolinnj October 12, 2010 11:25 PM EDT: I'd like to say two things. It's really sad when people try to put God and religion first in their lives and end up being victimed by those claiming to serve God. Also I never understand why these types don't just leave the relationship. They are so full of Evil and selfishness that they attempt to "fool everyone" with murder (hoping to get some form of satisfaction and avoid divorce payments). Some religious people misunderstand what Jesus meant when He said, "till death do you part". These individuals become cold blooded murderers. This causes us to wonder what else they have done and gotten away with. On the other hand, it would be pretty sad if this guy was just an adulterer and got a bad rap. But he was a murderer as it is very easy to prove that the victim was suffocated.; Reply to this comment


by USCMD July 10, 2010 2:21 AM EDT: I'm stunned that, in Texas, where the death penalty is used pretty liberally, didn't apply it here.

Its also too bad the 'other woman' didn't find the courage to go to the police before the ****** killed his wife.

I realize they had to offer her immunity to get her testimony. But if the testimony isn't strong enough to get a death penalty verdict, its almost worth trying her as an accessory before the fact.

Two very sad souls. But hes an all out sexual predator, probably worked as a trainer to get close, "hands on" to female athletes. Then ditto, as a pastor, to get close to emotionally vulnerable women.; Reply to this comment

by beckymetz53 March 22, 2010 12:44 PM EDT

Guy James Gray is my hero! It's nice to see that this attorney has a conscious, and isn't going to carry on a farce by continuing to defend this killer. My son was murdered, along with 2 others people by an off duty firefighter in Cleveland Ohio, Terrance Hough. Although he eluded the death penalty, the scumbag feels he shouldn't even have to do life. He has an attorney, as he is entitled to, appealing on some laughable "grounds". I often wonder how these lawyers live inside their own skin. Thank you Mr. Gray, for being the man you are. I admire you. Rebecca Pfeiffer Allen, Texas

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by catwoman1952 August 1, 2011 5:35 PM EDT: Amen to that. I always wondered how these lawyers can live with themselves when a killer goes free.

by glddraco January 23, 2010 1:32 PM EST

Are you serious? NO DEATH PENALTY this is supposed to be Texas. Oh wait a minute he was a preacher, a religious man. Makes sense now.

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by kingfish7 July 15, 2011 4:48 PM EDT: The offense doesn't meet the requirements for a death penalty case. Read a book now and again instead of making things up.


by dragon8me January 23, 2010 12:43 PM EST: He only gets 65 years for murder and a guy in Brownwood Texas gets life in prison for selling drugs. Maybe if he was a Baptist preacher he would have gotten less. Also if you murder, rape or steal you can get food stamps and medicade when you get out but not if your arrested for drugs. Go figure.; Reply to this comment