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54 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, April 5, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 26, 2004 Aggravated murder charged in baby’s death Prosecutors haven’t decided whether to seek the death penalty against infant’s father By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune A 20-year-old Rogue River man accused of killing his 7-month-old son has been indicted on a charge of aggravated murder. If convicted of the crime, Ernest Harold Baker III could be put to death. A Jackson County grand jury handed down the single charge Tuesday. The indictment was filed in Jackson County Circuit Court Thursday. Baker’s son, Ernest Harold Baker IV, died Saturday at Rogue Valley Medical Center, where he underwent surgery for a severe cut on his neck. The child’s father also had a wound on his neck when Jackson County sheriff’s deputies arrested him Saturday evening. Sheriff Mike Winters said the baby’s father was taken into custody at 6:46 p.m. and treated at RVMC. He was kept in the hospital overnight for observation and later lodged in the Jackson County Jail. Police so far have offered little explanation of the crime. Sheriff’s deputies were called at 1:52 p.m. Saturday to investigate a reported assault at the Baker home in the 2900 block of Wards Creek Road, near the town of Rogue River. Before deputies arrived, the child’s mother, 20-year-old D’Ann Eloise Honea, apparently drove him to Rogue River, and the baby was then taken to RVMC. Police Saturday also arrested the baby’s uncle from Grants Pass, who became violent at the hospital when a nurse informed him of his nephew’s death, said Medford police Lt. Mike Moran. He was jailed on charges of first-degree criminal mischief and disorderly conduct after he punched a wall and started fighting with hospital security staff, Moran said. Both the uncle and a family friend from Grants Pass were extremely intoxicated, police reported, and the friend was taken from the hospital to the county’s sobering center in Medford. Advertisement Beth Heckert, chief deputy district attorney for Jackson County, said she has not decided if she will seek the death penalty against Baker. His next court appearance will be Wednesday afternoon. He remained in jail without bail. Appearing in Circuit Court Monday to support Baker, his family said the crime is completely out of character for the young father, who has always avoided conflict. Dropping out of school at a young age, Baker lived most of his life in Medford with his mother. But in recent months, he and Honea had lived with Baker’s father. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times