Cynthia Baker found guilty of murder in her 8-year-old stepdaughter’s death

Posted on November 19, 2019
Cynthia Baker
Cynthia Baker, 41, of Normal, in McLean County Court during her murder trial. (HOI-ABC photo)

 

By HOI-ABC

BLOOMINGTON – A McLean County jury has found Cynthia Baker guilty of first-degree murder in the death of her 8-year-old stepdaughter, Rica Rountree.

The jury Tuesday also found Baker guilty of aggravated battery, endangering the life of a child and all three counts of domestic battery, according to our news partner HOI-ABC.

The deliberation lasted about five hours over two days. Baker’s jury trial was in its sixth day when the decision was made. Baker will be sentenced Jan. 31.

Cynthia Baker, 41, was facing 15 charges but prosecutors only pursued six in the death of Rountree. Prosecutors claimed Baker kicked Rica Rountree so hard in the stomach the child died as a result of her injuries.  The McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office and Normal Police will hold a press conference in the Normal Town council chambers Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Defense Attorney Todd Ringel was not available for comment Tuesday after the trial.  On Monday, Cynthia Baker chose not to testify and her boyfriend, Richard Rountree, also did not take the stand.

In closing arguments Monday, prosecutors again showed videos and photos of abuse by Baker to the 8 year old. One video showed Baker kneeing the child in the back, then hitting the child’s head on a wall.

“For most, it’s unthinkable but for Rica, it was normal. In the 407 Stanhope residence, Rica was treated as less than as this defendant’s punching bag and her pain served as entertainment for the entire family,” said Erika Reynolds, McLean County assistant states attorney.

However, Baker’s defense attorneys in closing arguments said she was not guilty of murder beyond a reasonable doubt.

“She is 100 percent guilty of every domestic battery they charged her with. I’m her attorney and I’m telling you that. But those videos do not show aggravated battery, they do not show murder. They again show an offense she is accurately charged with,” defense attorney Todd Ringel said.

Rica Rountree died January 26, 2019 after she was transported to a Peoria hospital from normal for medical care on January 25.

Baker pleaded not guilty in May 2019, after she was arrested in April on murder, and several other, charges.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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