Sentencing vacated for woman convicted of killing 8-year-old

Posted on January 3, 2020
BAKER
Cynthia Baker, of Normal, was scheduled to be sentenced on January 31. (HOI-ABC photo)

 

By HOI-ABC

BLOOMINGTON – A woman from Normal who was found guilty of killing her 8-year-old stepdaughter has had her sentencing vacated after hiring a new attorney.

Cynthia Baker, who was found guilty in November 2019 of first-degree murder in the death of Rica Rountree, has hired Phil Finegan to represent her, according to our news partner HOI-ABC.

Finegan said he is requesting more time to gather information.

A delay was granted, with the next status hearing to be held February 24.

Baker was scheduled to be sentenced on January 31.

A jury found Baker guilty on November 19, 2019, and prosecutors argued during the trial she had kicked Rountree so hard in the stomach that the child ultimately died of the injuries.

Finegan said last month he had plans to ask the judge to vacate her sentencing and ask for time to review court transcripts and discoveries to file a motion with allegations of ineffective counsel.

Through her trial, Baker was represented by Todd Ringel.

Although Baker was found guilty, investigators in a post-trial press conference said the investigation into Rountree’s death is ongoing.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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