Closing arguments set after defense attorneys call 1 witness in Texas minister’s murder trial

TX minister’s lawyers call just 1 defense witness

WACO, Texas — Attorneys for a Texas minister accused of murdering his wife have called just one witness for his defense.

Closing arguments have been set for Wednesday afternoon.

The accused, Matt Baker, has not testified. He faces up to life in prison if convicted in Kari Baker’s 2006 death, which was initially ruled a suicide.

Baker’s attorneys called a DNA expert who said Kari Baker could not be excluded from those who might have touched a typed suicide note.

Baker was a Baptist preacher in the Waco area when his wife was found dead. He maintains that she killed herself because of a deep depression over the cancer death of one of their daughters.

Baker’s former mistress testified Tuesday that he told her how he planned and executed his wife’s death.