A 16-year-old Fayette County youth has been sentenced to natural life in prison for gunning down two of his neighbors as they slept in their home in Loogootee. Judge Michael McHaney handed down the sentence to Clifford Baker for the August 2010 murders of John Mahon and Debra Tish. Baker received an additional 30 year sentence to run on top of the natural life in prison for the home invasion of the Randy Krajefska home next door. Baker had been found guilty of those charges by a Fayette County Jury in August. Before the sentence was handed down, Baker told the judge he was sorry for everything that happened and to everyone who was hurt. The defense asked for the judge to keep the sentence in the 50 year range. They called eight character witnesses to the stand, including Baker's father and her girlfriend. Both said they did not want to see Baker spend his life in prison. Justina Jones, who had administered Cymbalta to Baker, said she wished she could go back in time. She noted not only were two lives gone, but a third would be lost if Baker spent his life in prison. Defense attorney Monroe McWard argued during the trial the prescription of Cymbalta resulted in Baker's 'insanity by involuntary toxication". South Central teachers Laura Taylor and Cindy Garrett both said Baker caused them no problems in class. Middle School Principal Greg Grinestaff testified Baker had only been to the office a couple of time for minor squabbles with other students. State's Attorney Stephen Friedel had two victim impact statements read into the record. Tish's niece Latish Pasley and sister Patty Martin both noted they continued to be effected by Tish's death, noting she would not be around to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Written statements were presented by Krajefska and three of Mahon's relatives. McHaney denied all post trial motions in the case before proceeding to sentencing. They included motions for a new trial, objecting to the case not being tried in juvenile court, the trial not being moved out of Fayette County, as well as the court failing to suppress evidence and not trying Baker separately on the murder charges. amn6g
