Teen to appeal life sentences in double killing

VANDALIA — A southern Illinois teenager sentenced to life in prison in the shooting deaths of two of his neighbors is appealing his conviction.

The Effingham Daily News reports (http://bit.ly/sECzyq) a notice of appeal on 16-year-old Clifford Baker’s behalf was filed with the Mount Vernon-based 5th District Appellate Court.

That move Monday came after a Fayette County judge turned down Baker’s request for a reduced sentence linked to the August 2010 killings of Mike Mahon and Debra Tish in the small community of Loogootee.

Baker was sentenced in September to the life terms, plus additional 30-year prison terms for home-invasion.

A judge on Monday signed off on a public defender assisting Baker with his appeals.

Loogootee has roughly two dozen residents and is about 80 miles east of St. Louis.