A re-sentencing hearing for a 20-year old Loogootee man, who was convicted of first degree murder in Fayette County in 2011, has been reset for August. The re-sentencing hearing for Clifford W. Baker was originally set for July 7th in Fayette County Court. However, a conference call was held on Monday concerning the matter. Defense attorneys for Baker informed the judge and Fayette County State’s Attorney Josh Morrison that their defense mitigation witness would not be available the entire month of July. Due to that witness not being available, the hearing has been reset and will now be held on August 29th.
Baker was found guilty nearly five years ago for first degree murder in the deaths of Michael Mahon and Debra Tish in their Loogootee home. Baker at that time was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. But, it was found unconstitutional to have someone who, at the time, was under the age of 18 to not have the possibility of parole—so Baker must now be re-sentenced although his convictions remain in place.