01-06-2012, 06:35 AM
a very small consolation. 
![[Image: hdr-baker-plea]](http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/mgmedia/image/308/231/171454/hdr-baker-plea/)
WCNC
LENOIR, N.C. -- Adam Baker, the father of the late Zahra Baker, was found guilty in a brief trial Thursday afternoon to one count of assault with a deadly weapon in a charge unrelated to his daughter's death.
Instead of taking a plea deal, Baker pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and communicating threats, all misdemeanors. The Caldwell County judge dismissed the communicating threats charges but found Baker guilty of assault. Baker ran a relative off the road in May of 2010.
"We negotiated all day with the D.A.'s office and we weren't able to come to a resolution that we can all live with,” said Baker’s attorney, Shell Pearce.
With the guilty verdict, he was sentenced to 30 days in jail but will not go to jail immediately. Instead, Baker has already started the appeals process, meaning the case will likely go to superior court later this year.
Earlier in the day in a Catawba county courtroom, Baker pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges for using a relative’s name to illegally obtain electricity. He was ordered to pay restitution and sentenced to unsupervised probation on those charges.
"He just wants to get back to Australia and take his daughter with him," said attorney Mark Killian.
"These cases were holding him up."
Baker still faces several worthless check charges as well.
WCNC
LENOIR, N.C. -- Adam Baker, the father of the late Zahra Baker, was found guilty in a brief trial Thursday afternoon to one count of assault with a deadly weapon in a charge unrelated to his daughter's death.
Instead of taking a plea deal, Baker pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and communicating threats, all misdemeanors. The Caldwell County judge dismissed the communicating threats charges but found Baker guilty of assault. Baker ran a relative off the road in May of 2010.
"We negotiated all day with the D.A.'s office and we weren't able to come to a resolution that we can all live with,” said Baker’s attorney, Shell Pearce.
With the guilty verdict, he was sentenced to 30 days in jail but will not go to jail immediately. Instead, Baker has already started the appeals process, meaning the case will likely go to superior court later this year.
Earlier in the day in a Catawba county courtroom, Baker pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges for using a relative’s name to illegally obtain electricity. He was ordered to pay restitution and sentenced to unsupervised probation on those charges.
"He just wants to get back to Australia and take his daughter with him," said attorney Mark Killian.
"These cases were holding him up."
Baker still faces several worthless check charges as well.