Judge Denies Prosecution’s Motion to Submit GPS Evidence

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 29, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During a motions hearing Oct. 30 a judge denied a prosecutor’s motion to submit GPS tracking into evidence.

Sean Baker, 40, is charged with second-degree murder while armed  for the Jan. 31 stabbing of 35-year-old Robert Wiggins on the 300 block of 37th St., Southeast. Baker was initially charged with assault with the intent to kill.

Judge Todd E. Edelman said the prosecution’s reason for entering GPS tracking into evidence was highly speculative.

The prosecution argued that GPS tracking shows the defendant within a 3-mile radius of the crime scene two days before the murder weapon, a steak knife, was turned in by a maintenance worker for the apartment complex where the crime occurred. 

The prosecution said the knife appeared as a result of Baker visiting the area. However, GPS tracking provides the only argument to support the theory.

Judge Edelman said there was no suitable connection between the defendant and the murder weapon just because she was in the area. 

Baker’s defense attorneys motion for voir dire in open court was denied. Voir dire would allow potential jurors to be interviewed in front of the public to reduce potential prejudice or bias against the defendant, who is a transgender woman.

Judge Edelman will also allow 911 calls from both Baker and Wiggins to be entered into evidence.

According to court documents, Baker said she stabbed Wiggins in self defense. Baker, who has been released from jail while awaiting trial, allegedly stabbed Robert Wiggins in the heart during a fight in their apartment last year. 

Another motions hearing is scheduled to occur on Nov. 1.

The trial is scheduled to begin on Nov. 4.