State v. Baker

PARKER, Justice.

Defendant was indicted for the murder of his estranged wife, Shirlene Baker; first-degree kidnapping; and robbery with a dangerous weapon. He was tried capitally for the murder and found guilty on the theory of premeditation and deliberation. In accordance with the jury’s unanimous recommendation following a capital sentencing proceeding pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-2000, defendant was sentenced to death. Defendant was also convicted of first-degree kidnapping, for which he was sentenced to a twelve-year term of imprisonment consecutive to his death sentence, and of common-law…