Jury Finds Transgender Woman Not Guilty for Boyfriend’s Death

By D.C. Witness Staff - December 10, 2019
Court | Featured | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

After a two-and-a-half-week trial, a murder defendant was found not guilty of killing her boyfriend.

Sean Baker, 40, was charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 35-year-old Robert Wiggins on 300 block of 37th Street, SE on Jan. 27, 2016. Baker was initially charged with assault with intent to kill, but the charges were upgraded after Wiggins died from his injuries on Jan. 31. Baker is a transgender woman.

On Dec. 9, five days after the jury began deliberations, Baker was acquitted of the murder.

Trial Breakdown:

Baker said she stabbed Wiggins in self defense and that he had a long history of beating her throughout their relationship.

According to court documents, Baker, who was released on personal recognizance while she awaited trial, allegedly stabbed Wiggins in the chest during a fight in their apartment in 2016.

During the trial, the prosecution called Baker’s best friend, a medical examiner, and a witness who found the murder weapon to the stand.

Baker’s best friend told the jury that Baker was obsessive in her relationship. The friend also said that even though Wiggins and Baker had constant physical altercations, Baker never alluded to any domestic abuse.

The lead detective in this case testified about Baker’s initial police interview.

In reference to the interview, Baker’s defense counsel, John R. Fowler, told the court that detectives at the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) did not question her appropriately. 

Fowler said he was concerned that the lead detective, as well as another detective who is also working this case, violated a MPD policy regarding handling interactions with transgender individuals by not referring to Baker with the correct gender.

The witness who found the murder weapon also testified that he found a kitchen knife covered in blood under an orange sofa that had been discarded behind the the apartment building Baker and Wiggins lived in.

DNA testing concluded that the blood on the kitchen knife was a definitive match to Wiggins’ DNA.

The prosecution showed the witness’ video testimony to argue that Baker had hidden the murder weapon all along and this was just a cover up story.

However, GPS tracking evidence disproved the argument. Baker had not returned to the scene of the crime after she was detained.

Two of Wiggins’ ex-girlfriends, who were also transgender women,  said Wiggins’ had an abusive history and he used to threaten to kill them.

“I don’t believe I would be here if we had gotten back together,” said one of the girlfriends.

Text messages showing the volatile relationship between Wiggins and Baker were displayed for the jury as well, including a photo of Baker bleeding and covered in bruises that Wiggins allegedly showed to everyone he knew on Christmas Day.

A property manager, for an apartment complex near Wiggins’ and Bakers complex, said that Baker had ran into her leasing office one day hiding from Wiggins. She said that Baker had appeared to be scared and shaken.

During closing arguments, the prosecution said Baker premeditated the killing of Wiggins and she lied various times to cover up the truth.

The prosecutor called Baker jealous and obsessive.

“And now, four years later, we have the opportunity to hold her responsible,” said the prosecutor.

Baker said she feared for her life throughout the entirety of the relationship. She said she was acting in self-defense, Baker’s defense attorney, Dominique Winters, said.

“For the prosecution to suggest otherwise is as far-fetched as it is ridiculous,” Winters continued.

The jury began deliberations on Dec. 4 and ended on Dec. 9.

Read more about Baker’s trial here.

Danuellys Diaz reported on and wrote the article.