Second No Show in Court for Molestation Suspect Harry Baker | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Fresno, CA The attorney for Harry Baker says his client suffers from an embarrassing medical condition and can't come to court. The former Madera County supervisor was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday for a child molestation charge.

Baker's doctor signed a sworn statement claiming a court appearance is bad for Baker's health. The 81-year-old man is out of jail on bail after he was arrested for molesting a 13-year-old girl. This is the second time Baker missed his arraignment, and the judge wants it to be the last time.

Judge Houry Sanderson sealed a yellow envelope containing Baker's health information. His attorney Rick Berman would only say the former Madera County supervisor is in declining health and under the care of a doctor. Judge Sanderson said the defendant must appear before her court. Sanderson said, "Your client needs to be in court to be arraigned. The fact that he is 82 in three days time, does not change the court's impression that a person needs to come to court and address allegations filed against him."

Investigators arrested Baker earlier this month after they say a video tape surfaced showing Baker molesting a 13-year-old girl in a Fresno motel room. Baker claims he was set up and blackmailed by a band of roving gypsies. Even after Tuesday's contentious hearing, Baker's attorney does not guarantee that the man will ever show up in court. Berman said, "I'm not going to kill him by making him come here. We will see what the medical experts who have examined him and treated him, advising him ... have to say."

Baker has not entered a plea to a child molestation charge. Judge Sanderson ordered the man to appear in court in two weeks on November 3rd. If he does not show, the judge could issue an arrest warrant.

Molestation Suspect Harry Baker's Second No Show in Court