Murder suspect Sean Baker to undergo addiction treatment

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 28, 2016
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

Sean Baker, 35, will attend a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in West Virginia as the murder case against her in the death of Robert Wiggins continues.

Wiggins, 35, was allegedly stabbed in the heart by Baker in their apartment a little after 10 a.m. on Jan. 27. Baker was initially charged with assault with intent to kill, but the charges were upgraded to second-degree murder while armed after Wiggins died from his injuries on Jan. 31.

Baker was present at Tuesday’s status hearing, where her whereabouts for two weeks were questioned. Baker had been released from one facility and expected to transfer to another in West Virginia, however the two week gap between the facilities was questioned by the government.

The prosecution said Baker, whose location is monitored with an ankle bracelet, was staying in a residence other than the one registered, and not in the agreed upon housing, nor in a facility in West Virginia.  Baker’s defense thought their client was in West Virginia in the drug addition housing, however, the government had to relay that she was in fact, still in the area.

The prosecution said some of Baker’s drug tests came back positive for PCP, which the defense denied. Baker’s representatives stated that with her current program, Baker is required to take regular drug tests and all have returned negative.

Baker’s next status conference is scheduled for July 21, but it is expected that she will be in treatment at that time and miss the appointment. Judge Lopez waved her attendance for the hearing, and set her next court appearance for Sept. 9.

In charging documents, Baker told police she and Wiggins began arguing after he accused her of stealing his wallet. Baker said Wiggins took all of the knives and screwdrivers in the house and put them in his backpack. When one fell on the ground, the two wrestled four it, and Wiggins was stabbed in a fight for it.

Court documents show that Baker and Wiggins had been romantically involved and had lived together. The defense has suggested Baker acted out of self defense.