Published on: Friday, March 17, 2023
In 2017, a Kentucky jury found Patrick Baker guilty of reckless homicide in the fatal robbery of a local pill pusher and sentenced him to 19 years imprisonment. Two years later, outgoing governor controversially pardons Baker. Then, in 2021 the feds indict Baker for the drug dealer's death. He's convicted and sentenced to 42 years in federal prison. Baker: this is vindictive prosecution! Sixth Circuit: Well... "we are troubled by the timing of Baker's federal prosecution following his state-law pardon, and by the impression that Baker may not have received such a lengthy federal sentence but for his acceptance of a state-law pardon," which we hope is some comfort to Baker as we affirm his sentence in all respects.