Matt Baker surrenders to authorities
By Tommy Witherspoon
Waco Tribune-Herald
March 26, 2009
Former Central Texas Baptist minister Matt Baker, who was indicted on murder charges Wednesday in the April 2006 death of his wife, surrendered to Kerr County officials at 4 p.m. today.
Baker’s bond is set at $500,000 and officials say he is expected to remain in custody at least until his attorney can ask 19th State District Judge Ralph Strother to reduce his bond at a hearing Wednesday morning.
In other developments Thursday, Strother issued a verbal gag order in the Baker case, instructing attorneys on both sides not to speak to the media. Strother plans to issue a more formal, written order next week.
“I don’t want this case tried in public,” Strother said. “It is going to be tried in the courtroom.”
Baker, 37, moved to Kerrville with his two daughters after the death of his wife, Kari, a teacher.
The indictment against him alleges he gave her sleeping pills and then suffocated her with a pillow.
Baker has said his wife committed suicide because she was depressed over the death of their daughter. He has denied that he killed her at their home in Hewitt.