The Chronicle

Brett Starkopf
Editor-in-Chief

A former CLC student, who was arrested and charged with first degree murder in connection with the beating death of his then girlfriend’s mother, remains detained at the Lake County Jail as he awaits trial.

Daniel Baker, 21, was arrested April 5 and is accused of bludgeoning Marina Aksman, 50, with a baseball bat. Baker and Kristina Aksman, 20, also a former CLC student and the woman’s daughter, were found in Montana after leaving the state the previous week.   

Baker appeared in front of Judge Fred Foreman on Aug 20, wearing a red shirt, greased back hair, and a full beard. He was escorted by two sheriffs for a status hearing. Assistant States Attorney Patricia Fix said the red shirt was because he was in an altercation and he needed to be restrained.

The altercation occurred in the jail when he reportedly attacked two guards and needed to be Tasered in order to be restrained. He will face additional charges.

Baker could potentially face the death penalty. His attorneys, Mike Nerheim and Ed Genson, asked Judge Foreman for a continuance to review Baker’s medical and school records to prevent the sentence.

“We are in the process of getting his medical records and treatment history,” Nerheim told the Chicago Tribune on August 25. “Hopefully (the records) will convince them that seeking the death penalty would not be appropriate in this case.”

Genson said he will be able to prove Baker “was not legally responsible for his actions” at the time of Aksman’s killing. Baker is thought to be mentally ill.

On April 1, Baker allegedly drove his car into the Aksman’s home and beat Marina to death with a baseball bat. According to the Chicago Tribune, Marina Baker was trying to end the relationship between Baker and her daughter. Baker allegedly took $1,000 to $2,000 in cash from Marina’s purse and drove off in her 2009 Nissan Rogue. He and Kristina were caught five days later. Kristina is said not to have any involvement in her mother’s murder.

Baker is due back in court Sept 28.