Gilbert Baker says judicial system labored regardless of tough years

Former Republican lobbyist Gilbert Baker of Conway has issued a press release praising the nation’s authorized system after a federal decide dismissed a bribery wire-fraud indictment towards Baker.

Within the emailed assertion launched by protection legal professional Blake Hendrix, Baker stated, “The final 8 or 9 years have been very tough. However these years have been good for me personally. I’m grateful. I thank God for sustaining me via all of this. I’m grateful for the love and help proven to me by my spouse, Susan, my youngsters, and by many different household and buddies.”

Baker praised his authorized group and stated america has “an ideal authorized system, although not good, however a system the place we’re harmless till confirmed responsible. These concerned within the system in my case, Choose [D. Price Marshall Jr.], the U.S. Legal professional’s workplace, the primary jury, and the probation/pretrial workplace, did their jobs professionally. On the finish of all of it … the US authorized system labored!!”

Former Faulkner County Circuit Choose Michael Maggio may disagree since he spent a number of years in jail earlier than lastly getting out on supervised launch after testifying towards Baker. Maggio pleaded responsible to a bribery cost in 2015. The opposite particular person implicated within the alleged bribery scheme was nursing-home proprietor Michael Morton of Fort Smith, however he was by no means charged and repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

The prosecution had requested Marshall, chief decide of the U.S. District Court docket for the Japanese District of Arkansas, final week to dismiss the Baker indictment with prejudice. On Monday, Marshall granted that movement. The motion means the federal government can’t deliver the fees towards Baker, 66, once more.

Baker, a former state senator and former head of the Republican Social gathering of Arkansas, had been scheduled to go on trial in Little Rock in about two weeks. A jury discovered Baker harmless of conspiracy after a trial final yr however couldn’t agree on the opposite fees.

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