Brian Baker was set to be arraigned July 3 on fifth B&E charge

By Diane Madigan
Independent Court Reporter
Brian Bernard Baker, 17, who is scheduled to go to trial in August on four breaking and entering charges, was to be video arraigned on a new, fifth charge July 3 at 34th District Court in Romulus.
All the break-ins were in Haggerty Subdivision in Van Buren Township between Feb. 19 and April 12.
In the fifth case, Baker is accused of 1st degree home invasion at 10914 Buchanan that took place on April 5. Baker is also accused of stealing firearms, stealing money, receiving and concealing weapons-firearms, and two counts of felony firearm.
On June 19, Baker was scheduled for a 9 a.m. status conference with Circuit Court Judge Mark T. Slavens at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit.
When Baker’s attorney, James McGinnis, showed up at 10 a.m., jury selection for a trial in another case was occurring. Baker’s grandmother had been waiting all morning.
After the jury had been selected, they were given a short break before the trial got under way. During the break, McGinnis asked that Baker be called from jail to the courtroom for his status conference on the four cases.
After speaking with Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Russo, McGinnis said an unfortunate snafu occurred when 34th District Court in Romulus could not find Baker to arraign him on a fifth case. McGinnis requested a motion for Habeas Corpus.
Baker was then scheduled for his arraignment on the fifth charge. That was first set for June 26, but on June 26 Baker was not brought to 34th District Court and it was postponed in favor of a video arraignment planned from the jail on July 3.
Judge Slavens set a pre-trial exam for July 9 and a final conference for July 17. Baker’s trial is set for Aug. 29.
Baker is being held in the Wayne County Jail with each of the bonds on his four cases set at $10,000 or 10%. The bond on his fifth case was to be set at the arraignment.