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Edward Baker Jr., 22 of Darlington, was in court for a sentencing hearing after pleading No Contest to one count of Aggravated Indecent Assault. The charges stemmed from a June 2010 incident in which Baker was alleged to have attacked his ex-girlfriend. He had originally been facing charges including Unlawful Restraint, Aggravated Assault, Sexual Assault, and Rape.
Baker had reached a plea deal in the case that would see him serve time in the Beaver County Jail, instead of lengthy state prison.
After arguments by both prosecutor Jennifer Popovich and defense attorney Ronald Rojas about the length of probation he should serve after his sentence, and whether or not he would participate in the county’s work release program, Judge Tesla gave Baker the opportunity to speak.
The man began sobbing uncontrollably.
“I know I agreed to 2 years in county jail… I’ve been on house arrest for 18 months now… I’m willing to do anything to get a second chance in life… I would do anything to make up for it… I ask for forgiveness, for compassion” Baker began. “But people can change. I ask you for mercy for me and my family, and for a second chance… I’m sorry.”
“It is important for you to understand what I have done in this case and why I have done it” Judge Tesla responded. “It’s the rights of the defendant, vindication of the victim, and the safety of the community.”
“I have concluded, frankly, that the degree of mercy that you are looking for has already been given to you in this case” the judge concluded.
The victim, who the Beaver Countian is not identifying, chose not to speak in open court — She instead submitted a written Victim Impact Statement for the record.
The judge informed Baker of his obligations to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law for life, then imposed a sentence of 1 year minus 1 day to 2 years minus 1 day in the Beaver County Jail, a $1,000 fine, and 8 years of probation to follow his incarceration — Judge Tesla also denied Baker’s request to participate in the work release program, and told him there would be no automatic parole in this case. “Two years means two years” he said.
Judge Tesla left the bench as a Sheriff’s Deputy prepared to take Baker into custody. The young man’s mother, who had been sitting quietly in the courtroom, began to scream, then started speaking in tongues as she rocked back and forth.
“We are going to win this” the defendant yelled as his mother continued making strange noises. “We are going to win this, we are going to sue you for every fucking penny that you have! Take me to jail! The sooner I get in there the sooner that I can kill myself!”
Baker was led from the courtroom without further incident, as his mother was escorted out of the courthouse by her husband.
Sources within the Sheriff’s Office say Edward Baker Jr. was placed under suicide watch.
I don’t think it was tongues. I have heard the gift of tongues and have some experience with understanding it. This doesn’t sound like the right atmosphere for tongues to be heard. The atmosphere presented was neither peaceful, nor prayerful. Unless someone was there who could understand what she was saying in tongues, I’d rule that it wasn’t. I would be more worried that those were curses or nonsensical utterances brought on by a medical/mental condition. I’m leaning toward the second considering the clue “rocking back and forth”. Rocking back and forth is considered a “self-soothing” behavior, which is understandable considering the trauma of seeing her son sent to jail.