Couple sought in Vernon Hills slaying found in Montana
April 7, 2010 7:38 PM | 20 Comments
Daniel R. Baker and Kristina Aksman, sought in the beating death of Aksman's mother, have been taken into custody in Montana.
Baker has been charged with last week's murder of Marina Aksman, while Kristina Aksman is being held in protective custody as a "material witness," police said.
The couple were taken into custody at about 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Vernon Hills police said in a statement.
A sheriff's deputy spotted the car the couple was believed using -- a 2009 Nissan Rogue -- traveling at 84 mph in a 70 mph zone on Route 2 in Montana, police said.
The pair were arrested in Cut Bank, Mt., according to the Glacier County sheriff's office.
Baker waived extradition Wednesday afternoon, said Glacier County Undersheriff Jeff Fauque. He did not know when Baker might return.
Ed Genson, an attorney for Baker, said his client was being transported back to the Chicago area Wednesday night. He provided no additional information.
Police from the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force will escort Kristina Aksman to Illinois, too, Fauque said, but only as a protective measure. She does not face any charges at the present time, and as far as Fauque knows she will be taken back to her family.
Fauque said preliminary information about a DUI charge was incorrect, and Baker was stopped after a pursuit for speeding. All of the Montana charges have been dismissed against Baker in order to expedite the extradition process, he said.
The deputy tried to stop the SUV but it sped away, police said. It was eventually stopped and Baker, driving, and Aksman were taken into custody without incident, police said.
Baker was charged with speeding, resisting arrest, stop sign violation, fleeing and eluding a police officer and criminal endagerment, police said.
Aksman was not charged with any criminal offenses in Montana.
"Based upon the evidence developed during the course of the investigation, the Lake County states attorney's office has charged Daniel R. Baker with three counts of first-degree murder," the office said. "Krisina Aksman is classified as a material witness and remains in protective custody in Montana."
Baker's mother, Diane Baker, declined to comment about the murder charges or any aspect of the case when reached by phone Wednesday evening.
But when asked if she was relieved that her son had been found, she said, "Of course that's the case."
Kristina's friend Charlotte, who asked that her last name not be used, was grateful to learn she had been located.
"I'm so relieved that she's OK and that they found her," she said. "That's great news. I was so worried about her."
Police found Marina Aksman beaten to death in her Vernon Hills home early Thursday morning, and her 2009 silver Nissan Rogue missing. Authorities had believed all along that Kristina Aksman and Baker were traveling in the Rogue.
Earlier today, Vernon Hills police said they have talked to the producers of America's Most Wanted about the case, but had not decided whether to work with the show on the case.
Geri West, a spokesperson for America's Most Wanted, said the show has talked to police, but an air date has not yet been scheduled.
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/...-in-vernon-hills-murder-found-in-montana.html
