Not guilty pleas from couple charged in landlord's murder

An Antioch Township couple charged in the stabbing death of their landlord pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake County circuit court.

Jason Baker, 37, is charged with first-degree murder in the Feb. 4 death of David Queen, 70. Baker had rented a room in Queen's house in the 40200 block of Deep Lake Road.

Baker and his girlfriend, Kimberly Caldwell, 38, also are charged with fleeing to Kentucky after the slaying.

Assistant State's Attorney Marykay Foy said Baker intended to kill and rob Queen, who he had known for over a year before moving into the house, but it is unknown if any money was stolen from the victim.

Another tenant of the house called police after discovering Queen's body on the floor, Foy said, and an autopsy determined he had been stabbed several times with a large knife that was found inside the house.

Less than 12 hours later, the couple was located in southern Kentucky, where Caldwell had told her employer she was going to move as she quit her job.

Police originally charged the pair with obstruction of justice because they had left the state with information crucial to a homicide investigation.

The charges against Baker were upgraded to murder after Lake County sheriff's detectives interviewed him in Kentucky and Baker admitted his involvement, officials said.

Foy told Associate Judge George Bridges that the state intends to seek an extended sentence of up to 100 years for Baker because the victim was over 60 years old.

Bridges ordered Baker, who is being held on $4 million bond, to appear in court again April 27.

Caldwell, who faces up to three years in prison, is being held on $400,000 bond and is due in court again March 16.