Lake County waiting for murder suspect’s profile
Lake County prosecutors are awaiting a full psychological profile of Daniel Baker, who is set to stand trial in six weeks for the murder of Marina Aksman of Vernon Hills.
Assistant State’s Attorney Patricia Fix said Friday the supplemental psychological profiles on Baker’s mental status could cause potential delays depending on what defense experts say about the 23-year-old Deerfield man.
“We need to see the supplemental reports,” Fix said. “Then, we may need to hire psychologists to refute their evidence.”
Those reports are expected to be handed over early next week, and both sides will discuss any objections on Thursday in front of Lake County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Shanes.
Baker’s defense attorney, Ed Gensen, declined to comment on the court proceedings Friday.
Baker is accused of murdering the 50-year-old Aksman at her home in April 2010.
Police say Baker ran his car into the front of Aksman’s home, used an aluminum baseball bat to break through a rear sliding glass door, then beat Aksman to death because she tried to end a relationship Baker was having with her teenage daughter, Kristina.
Following the murder, Baker took Kristina Aksman on a four-day road trip before he was arrested in Cut Bank, Mt., police said. The daughter, who suffers from mental disabilities, was not charged in the case.
Baker confessed to Aksman’s murder after his arrest, police said, and has been held without bail in Lake County jail ever since.
On Friday, both sides told Shanes that the trial is on target to start Oct. 9.