Baker sentenced to natural life in prison

The Loogootee teen who was convicted last month of murdering a neighbor couple will be in prison the rest of his life.

At the conclusion of a hearing that lasted about 3 1/2 hours, Judge Michael McHaney gave Clfford Baker two concurrent sentences of natural life in prison for fatally shooting Mike Mahon and Deb Tish in their home in the early morning hours of Aug. 4, 2010.

McHaney also gave Baker three 30-year sentences for convictions on home invasion charges.

The two 30-year sentences pertaining to Baker entering the Mahon and Tish residence are to be served concurrently, and the one for entering the home of Steve and Randy Krajefska after the murders of Mahon and Tish is to be served consecutive to the other murder and home invasion sentences.

The hearing began with McHaney denying the post-trial motion and amended post-trial motion filed by Baker's attorneys. Monroe McWard was Baker's lead atttorney, and he was assisted by Mark Wykoff and Mark Havera.

McWard said after the hearing that he had already filed a motion asking McHaney to reconsider his decision, and that he would file an appeal on Baker's behalf.

"We have some issues we want to get before the appellate court," McWard said.

The sentencing hearing included the testimony of Baker's mother and father, and Baker gave a brief statement. "I'm sorry for everything that has happened," Baker said.

"I'm sorry for the pain," he said.

Complete coverage of the sentencing hearing will appear in next week's issue of The Leader-Union.