Murder Charge Against Baird Dropped
- Details
- Created on Wednesday, 27 April 2016 20:14
- Written by Tom Weineck
ST. JOHNSBURY - UPDATE: The last of the three men accused of killing a 78-year-old Sheffield woman back in September 2010 is no longer facing a first-degree murder charge. Keith Baird appeared in Caledonia County Court on March 18, 2016 for a hearing to have the charge against him dropped. The court heard the argument from Baird's defense attorney, Robert Katims on whether the murder charge against Baird should be dropped. District Attorney, Lisa Warren argued the charge against Baird should remain.
"We believe it's sufficient enough to go to a jury, for them to decide whether or not it is reasonable or likely that three men would go into a home with guns," Warren said. "Two of them wearing facemasks of some sort on and not have a loaded gun in the middle of the night to go in to commit the burglary."
Warren used Richard Fletcher's deposition in the case against Baird. Fletcher took a plea deal in March 2015, where he agreed to testify against the other two suspects in the case, Michael Norrie and Keith Baird.
Baird's defense attorney, Katims focused his argument about dismissing the murder charge on the lack of intent to do harm.
"What you think are unloaded weapons, is that the want and disregard for the value of human life?" Robert Katims, Baird's defense attorney said to the court.
Katims cited court documents the District Attorney is using, saying Norrie unexpectedly killed Mary "Pat" O'Hagan without any warning.
"Mr. Norrie was with Ms. O'Hagan," Katims said. "Mr. Norrie unexpectedly, unplanned, without an agreement or any kind of inkling that this would happen, shoots and kills her."
According to court documents, 78-year-old Mary "Pat" O'Hagan was killed in September 2010 by Fletcher, Baird, and Norrie while they were high on crystal meth.
The prosecution said they will be appealing Monday's dismissal in order to refile homicide charges against Baird.
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