Chris Baker Pleads Guilty

by BSD on May 17, 2008 8:54 PM EDT in Football

Let's see. Spring practice is over. Finals are done. Most of the student body is packed up and gone for the summer. Nobody around State College to read the newspaper. Yep. Seems like a good time for Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira to offer Chris Baker a deal.

Penn State defensive lineman Chris Baker, facing felony charges in two separate assault cases, pleaded guilty Friday to three misdemeanor charges in connection with the two cases and was sentenced to serve two years of probation.

The felonies and several other misdemeanors were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

Congratulations to Chris Baker in finally putting this behind him. Hopefully now he can keep his nose clean and be a contributing member of the football team.

As for DA Madeira, like I said, nice timing.

Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira said he was “thrilled” to have both cases resolved with the blessing of all victims. Madeira said he spoke Friday with each victim in the Meridian II melee, and they approved the deal. He’d previously gotten the approval of Varney Capehart, of Philadelphia, who was assaulted in the HUB incident.

The apartment incident happened back in April of 2007. The trial was delayed, what, like three times? Now he picks the time of year when State College is a ghost town to finally speak to the "victim" to ask him if it's ok to offer a deal. How convenient. Make no mistake: though Madeira says he's "thrilled" with the outcome, this is the equivalent of him tucking his rat tail between his legs and surrendering. There was no way he was going to win this case, and if it had gone to trial the defense was going to rip him to shreds just like Mike Nifong.

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

You know...

There are other people in State College besides the students. And, I’d guess that the majority of people reading the CDT aren’t students. Regardless, interesting point about the timing.

Glad Baker can put this behind him.

by speedomike on May 18, 2008 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

True

But nobody is around to read the Daily Collegian.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on May 18, 2008 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

True

In fact, it’s not even printing right now.

by speedomike on May 18, 2008 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Incidents...

I thought the whole thing was a case of gross overreacting by more than a few parties. As an auxiliary (student) police officer, I’ve seen things that haven’t gotten half the attention these incidents have, partially because there were no players involved.

I’m not saying they shouldn’t be punished, but the hullabaloo that followed wasn’t called for. Comparing us to “Thug U” and making it seem like the program was in a downward spiral was all created by the media.

They said, "I don't know his name, but he aims like Wayne Gretzky"
That's funny, 'cause I don't play hockey, I play HORSE on the mic and watch them all copy-Cannibal Ox

by OMEGAMAN on May 18, 2008 11:07 AM EDT reply actions