Attorneys for the defendants in the Baby Shannon case, were due in court today to address motions pertaining to their upcoming trials. Susan Baker, 51 and Tina Mercer, 26, have been ordered to stand trial in the disappearance of Mercer's (then) seven month old daughter - Shannon Dedrick. Baby Shannon was found alive, five days after her mother made a call to 911, last October 31. Mercer told the operator her daughter was missing from her crib, when she woke that morning, in the Chipley home she shared with Shannon's father, Rusty Dedrick.
Gerard Virga, Jr and Assistant Public Defender Floyd Griffith, attorneys for Baker and Mercer, respectively, told Circuit Judge Allen Register, they do not believe Mercer or Baker, will receive fair trials in Washington County. They have requested a change of venue, sequestering of the jury, a request to suppress evidence and a questionnaire for prospective jurors, to determine the amount of media coverage they have been exposed to; in the case that made front page headlines, across the nation - as people from all across the country prayed for the safe return of Baby Shannon.
On Friday, Sept 10 - a pre-trial hearing for Crystina Mercer, was scheduled for November 15, 2010, in the Washington County Circuit Court. The judge, will have to rule on the defense motions, before that hearing. Tina is accused of making a false 911 report, deserting a child, giving false information to law enforcement and interfering with custody.
Susan Baker, Shannon's step-aunt and baby-sitter, is facing felony charges of aggravated child abuse, interference with custody, and giving false information to law enforcement during an investigation. Baby Shannon was found, five days after she was reported missing, in a latched, 2 foot by 3 foot cedar box - shoved under a bed, in Susan Baker's mobile home. Investigators said Shannon had been in the box for twelve hours the day she was found - while Baker was being questioned, by law enforcement officials. Baker is scheduled to stand trial in Washington Co. beginning Sept. 24. Her attorney, Gerard Virga said, she won't get a fair trial Chipley or anywhere near here, but Were looking forward to our chance, when he asked for a continuance in July, his law partner and wife, co-counsel in the case, was pregnant.
News and internet coverage, that Virga called; inflammatory media, has tainted the jury pool across Northwest Florida - Orlando and Tampa are the two alternatives, Virga has specified, as being far enough away, but still convenient for travel. Local and national coverage, caused Judge Register, to seal Shannon's dependency hearing, last November. Prosecutor Greg Wilson said; Obviously, the case got a lot of publicity." While he wants the trial held locally, he stated 'it will be up to the judge to decide.'
In December, Susan Baker pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the five days, Baby Shannon was missing. She appeared before Circuit Judge Allen Register, via video - from the Bay County Jail where she is being held in protective custody. Her only question for the judge was; Are you going to give me bail? Judge Register restated Baker's $150,000 bail and said, Right now, that will remain your bond. Baker was moved to Bay County, while Tina remained in the Washington Co Jail, in Chipley, so both women could be kept in protective custody.
