Baker Resentencing Hearing Again Continued

The re-sentencing hearing of Clifford Baker in Fayette County has again been continued.

Baker was found guilty in 2011 of first degree murder in the deaths of his neighbors, Mike Mahon and Debra Tish, in their Loogootee home. He was sentenced to natural life in prison without possibility of parole.

(CLIFFORD BAKER)

Since that time, the US Supreme Court ruled that life without possibility of parole for someone under age 18 was unconstitutional, and made that decision retroactive. That meant Baker, who was 15 at the time of the murders, needs to be re-sentenced, although his convictions still stand. He has remained in custody while awaiting re-sentencing.

The re-sentencing hearing, which was scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed. Fayette County State's Attorney Josh Morrison said Fayette County Public Defender Edwin Potter retired. He said Potter's replacement, Bill Starnes, was appointed just nine days ago, leading to the need for a continuance in the re-sentencing while Starnes gets up to date on the case.

Morrison said the case is next due in court on November 30 to review the defense's efforts to secure a mitigation expert. Once the expert is secured, court officials can move ahead with re-scheduling the re-sentencing hearing.