A 39-year-old Graysville, Tn., woman found guilty by a Sequatchie County jury last year of felony first-degree murder will have to wait a while to find out whether she will get a new trial.
A psychologist who evaluated and treated Susan Lynette Baker after her 2011 arrest for murder said this week in Sequatchie County Circuit Court that she was not mentally competent at that time.
Following the medical testimony, retired Judge Buddy Perry – who presided over Ms. Baker’s first trial – gave prosecutors 30 days to respond with arguments on why no new trial should be granted.
He will render his decision after weighing both sides, Judge Perry said.
The psychologist, Dr.
Robert W. Brown Jr., was brought in by Rhea County Mental Health officials to treat Ms. Baker after her arrest and subsequent confession, according to defense attorney Sam Hudson.
Dr. Brown also testified during Ms. Baker’s murder trial in 2014, and said then that she was under the influence of drugs at the time of her videotaped confession to the fatal shooting of Bledsoe County resident Clifford Carden Jr.
Further, the psychologist said the Graysville woman has suffered from hallucinations since she was three years old, and has a neuro-cognitive deficit that interferes with her ability to plan and/or organize.
That testimony failed to convince jurors, who convicted Ms. Baker of all three counts against her: felony murder, especially aggravated robbery and setting fire to personal property.
The murder conviction carries a life sentence, requiring her to serve 51 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.