NITA Publications

State v. Baker, Third Edition

Sarah Baker has been charged with the first-degree murder of her husband, who was a well-known news anchor. The State alleges that Baker intended to divorce her husband and cut him out of her will, and that he was going to sue her for a large portion of the estate. Baker claims she shot him to protect herself when he advanced toward her with a kitchen knife threatening to kill her. The case features the use of expert forensic pathology, criminalistics, DNA testimony, and the defense of self-defense.

Law professors may request the teaching notes for this publication by emailing ReviewCopy@lexisnexis.com.

• >> TABLE OF CONTENTS
  CONTENTS
  
  Acknowledgments
  
  Introduction
  
  Special Instructions for Use as a Full Trial
  
  Information
  
  Transcript of 911 Call from Sarah Baker
  
  Exhibits
  Knife
  Pistol
  Ashgate Farm Main House
  Kitchen Diagram
  Chair and Table Diagram
  Ashgate Home Diagram
  Ashgate Farm Map
  
  Offense Report, Sept. 7, 2012
  
  Offense Report, May, 3, 2008
  
  Offense Report, July 13, 2009
  
  Offense Report, April 10, 2011
  
  Forensic Report
  
  Identification Report
  
  Gross Autopsy Record
  
  Handwritten Letter Found In Desk
  
  Typed Letter
  
  Note Found On Night Table
  
  Sarah Baker's Will
  
  Search Warrant
  
  Search Warrant Inventory and Return
  
  Sarah Baker Arrest and Conviction Record
  
  Kelly Baker Arrest and Conviction Record
  
  Kit Manville Arrest and Conviction Record
  
  Chris Spahn Arrest and Conviction Record
  
  Preliminary Hearing Testimony, Lee Holmes
  
  Preliminary Hearing Testimony, Dr. Morgan Sain
  
  Preliminary Hearing Testimony, Dale Ryan
  Ryan Resume
  High-Velocity Spattering Diagram
  
  Preliminary Hearing Testimony, Kit Manville
  
  Chris Spahn Statement
  
  Bradley McCormick Statement
  
  Leslie Torgeson Letter
  Torgeson CV
  
  Applicable Nita Code Sections
  
  Jury Instructions
  
  Jury Verdict Form

• >> AUTHOR
  
  
  • Joseph E. Taylor
    
    
    • Joseph E. Taylor is a former public defender who now teaches trial advocacy at McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific. He has participated in hundreds of felony jury trials, having served as the public defender for Riverside County (managing a nine-office organization with seventy-six attorneys), eight years as an assistant chief deputy for the Sacramento County District Attorney's office, a senior attorney with the Ventura County DA's office, supervising three units, including the major crimes unit, and occasionally prosecuting or defending criminal trials pro bono is his spare time. He has authored or co-authored ten trial practice cases and has excelled both in the courtroom and classroom. He was named both Professor of the Year (McGeorge School of Law, 2004) and Prosecutor of the Year (State of California, 1982- 1983). He actively litigates during the summer months, has served as judge pro tem in Sacramento Superior Court for the last fourteen years, and is currently a member of the California Parole Advocacy Program Advisory Committee.