CLC student to stand trial in murder
Nathan Caldwell
Editor-in-Chief
On April 1, CLC student Kristina Aksman, 20, witnessed her mother’s murder.
Her boyfriend Daniel Baker, 21, another CLC student, allegedly beat Kristina’s mother, Marina Aksman, 50, to death with a baseball bat, the Daily Herald reported. He has been charged with first-degree murder.
CLC’s Public Relations office confirmed that Aksman and Baker were enrolled at the college this semester. Music professor Michael Flack, who reportedly had Baker in class, declined to comment.
Purportedly, Baker’s motive was that Marina Aksman attempted to break up Baker and her daughter.
“You are never going to see her again,” she said in a voicemail to Baker. “I think you are bipolar.”
The attempted break up reportedly enraged Baker. He left a voicemail in response as he drove to the Aksman’s Vernon Hills home.
“You’ve messed up everything and there's going to be big trouble and I mean big trouble,” Baker said. “You don't mess with Daniel Baker.”
When Baker reached the home he drove straight toward the front door – the concrete stoop was all that prevented him from crashing into the house. Exiting the wrecked car with an aluminum baseball bat in hand, Baker broke through a glass door in the rear of the house.
Once inside, he is reported to have first swung for Marina Aksman’s legs, followed by several blows to the head.
“She said her mother’s ‘head broke apart like an avocado, it was shocking to watch.’” Deputy State
An autopsy revealed both Marina Aksman's eye sockets were broken, as was her skull – her teeth had been pushed back into her brain, Pavletic said.
Baker then told Aksman to pack her clothes, took $1,000 to $2,000 of Marina Aksman’s cash and drove off in her silver 2009 Nissan Rogue.
The two were missing for five days.
Ashley Telling, Aksman’s high school friend created the Facebook group, “Help Find Kristina Aksman!” when she heard news that her friend was missing.
“I heard about what happened through a text from my brother, who also knows Kristina,” Telling said in an e-mail interview. “I replied to his text, ‘Are you on crack?’”
“I just broke down and started crying because I could not imagine why God made such a nice family go through all this. I created the group because I could not stop thinking about this entire thing and I thought I had to do something to help.
“She was the sweetest girl I have ever met. Yeah she had problems, but she was always nice to everyone and even in the worst case situations she had a smile on her face and a positive attitude.”
On April 5, a sheriff’s deputy in northern Montana
The vehicle proved to be Marina Aksman’s missing car. After a brief chase, the vehicle was stopped, and Baker was caught.
Pavletic said a pair of his pants and shoes were found in the car with what investigators believe are bloodstains.
Once apprehended, Baker allegedly asked investigators, “How many times did you get me (hitting her)?” Investigators estimated five times.
According to the prosecutor, Baker said, “That's me. I don't stop until the threat is eliminated.”
Baker was denied bond.
Genson declined to comment when asked if he was considering an insanity defense.
In Illinois
“Individuals who want to plead not guilty by reason of insanity are admitting that the crime was done, but that they were insane the time of the crime,” CLC psychology professor Dr. Martha Lally said. “They are admitting they did it, but it was because of the insanity.
“The insanity plea is rarely used. Of those cases it is used, it’s rare that is ever found.”
When the insanity defense is used less than 12 percent of cases find for the defendant, Lally said.
Individuals with bipolar are no more prone to fits of rage or committing crime than anyone else, CLC psychology professor Dr. Kenneth Kikuchi said.
“Rage is just a human emotion,” Kikuchi said. “We all have it. It’s no different for someone who has a disorder like bipolar to rageful, like anyone else would be.”
Baker is due in court May 5.
0 Response to "CLC student to stand trial in murder"
Post a Comment