Accused Greenbank wife killer pleads not guilty

By JESSIE STENSLAND
South Whidbey Record Staff Reporter
August 21, 2012 · Updated 2:42 PM 

Accused murderer Robert “Al” Baker pleaded not guilty Monday to murdering his wife.

Baker, a 62-year-old Greenbank man, appeared for arraignment for the fourth time and finally has an attorney representing him. He had tried to retain a private attorney, but his assets became tied up in court. Monday, Peter Simpson, an attorney with the firm that holds the county’s public defense contract, said he was assigned to represent Baker after the county determined he was income eligible.

Baker is accused of murdering his wife, 53-year-old Kathie Baker. Her tarp-wrapped body was found in a ravine behind their home while detectives were investigating her disappearance in June.

The couple met while working at the South Pole together for Raytheon Polar Services. They also owned Harbor Pizzeria in Freeland, which has been closed since the murder.

Baker is being held in jail on $5 million bail.

Although Baker owns real estate and other assets, a relative of Kathie Baker filed a petition in court to protect the couple’s joint assets. A list of their assets filed in the case includes her life insurance policy.

 

Contact South Whidbey Record Staff Reporter Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewsgroup.com.

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