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Date: 08-25-2021
Case Style:
Case Number: 6:21-cr-00032-CHB-EBA
Judge: Claria Horn Boom
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky (Laurel County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: London, KY: First-degree murder charge criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant, Patrick Baker, age 43.
Patrick Baker was indicted on one count of first-degree murder during a drug trafficking crime. Baker fatally shot Donald L. Mills, Jr., 29, during an armed home invasion on May 9, 2014 in the Stinking Creek community. Mr. Mills’ pregnant wife and children were held at gunpoint while Baker ransacked the victims’ home for oxycodone pills. Baker entered the Mills’ home posing as a United States Marshal.
The KSP firearm forensics’ laboratory tied shell casings recovered from the victim’s master bedroom to Baker’s Kel Tec PF9. The Kel Tec 9mm was later recovered from a mud pit in Bell County past the “Bridge to Nowhere.” A surveillance video from the London Dollar General showed Baker purchasing plastic handcuff approximately 7 hours before the murder. The same handcuffs were later recovered feet from where the victim was fatally shot. Furthermore, cell tower data was used to trace Baker’s movements throughout May 8th and 9th, 2014 from London, to Stinking Creek, to Bell County.
“At its core, this case was about one thing: Patrick Baker’s role in the death of Donald Mills,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Having heard the evidence, the jury found him guilty. I want to commend the steadfast work of our law enforcement partners and our trial team. This case warranted their dedication, and the jury’s verdict justifies their thorough effort.”
“Today’s guilty verdict sends a significant message and demonstrates our commitment to justice,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the Louisville Division. “The result of this case would not have been possible without the excellent work of the ATF London Office, our law enforcement partners, and the United States Attorney’s Office. An examination of the evidence was overwhelmingly in support of Patrick Baker’s guilt. This case is a strong example of the work ATF is doing, every day, to combat violent crime in our communities.”
Acting United States Attorney Shier; Special Agent in Charge Morrow; and Colonel Phillip Burnett, Jr., Commissioner, Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the conviction.
The investigation was conducted by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosives and the Kentucky State Police. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenna Reed.
18 U.S.C. § 924(j)(1) MURDER DURING DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENSE
(1)
Outcome: 08/24/2021 113 NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE: Patrick J. Renn appearing for Patrick Baker ATTORNEY MARC MURPHY APPEARING FOR DEFENSE COUNSEL (Renn, Patrick) (Entered: 08/24/2021)
08/24/2021 114 ORDER in case as to Patrick Baker: in accordance with paragraph 7 of General Order 18-22, this case and all mattersreferred to the undersigned herein are REASSIGNED to Magistrate Judge Edward B. Atkins. Magistrate Judge Hanly A. Ingram recused. Case reassigned to Magistrate Judge Edward B. Atkins for all further proceedings. Signed by Magistrate Judge Hanly A. Ingram on 8/24/21. (SYD)cc: COR (Entered: 08/24/2021)
08/24/2021 *** FILE SUBMITTED TO CHAMBERS OF Claria H. Boom to review: re 113 Notice of Attorney Appearance - Defendant filed as to Patrick Baker. ATTORNEY MARC MURPHY APPEARING FOR DEFENSE COUNSEL (SYD) (Entered: 08/24/2021)
08/24/2021 116 MINUTE ENTRY for Jury Trial (Day 8) as to Patrick Baker held on 8/24/2021 before Judge Claria Horn Boom: Hon. Marc Murphy was present as counsel for Mr. Romines, Mr. Eggert and Mr. Renn. Court instructed the jury. Closing arguments made by counsel. The audio/video excerpts proffered by defense counsel and sought to be introduced during opening statements, [R. 85 ; R. 92 ; R. 95 ], were ordered by the Court to be filed in the record under seal. Jury retires to deliberate at 4:45 p.m. Case continued to August 25, 2021 at 8:45 a.m. for further deliberations. Def remanded to custody. Steven Romines; Patrick Renn and Rob Eggert appeared as Retained counsel of record. (Court Reporter Kimberley Keene.) (SYD)cc: COR,USM,USP (Entered: 08/25/2021)
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Defendant's Experts:
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