Verdict Announced in Rekha Kumari-Baker Murder Trial

September 22, 2009

Last week I brought you the story of Rekha Kumari-Baker, a 41-year-old woman from the United Kingdom who recently went on trial for the 2007 murders of her two teenage daughters. The jury finished its deliberations in the case, and a verdict was announced yesterday.

During the two-week trial, prosecutors told the Cambridge Crown Court jury how Kumari-Baker murdered 16-year-old Davina Michelle Baker and 13-year-old Jasmine Baker in cold blood on the morning of June 13, 2007. Prosecutor John Farmer said that Kumari-Baker had launched a "frenzied" attack on the girls while they slept, stabbing them multiple times.

Farmer told the jury that Kumari-Baker killed her daughters because she was unhappy over the custody arrangement she had with her ex-husband. She disliked his new partner, and she resented the close relationship he had with the girls. The murders were, according to Farmer, intended to "wreak havoc in [David Baker's] life."

Kumari-Baker's lawyers did not attempt to deny she had killed her children. Instead, they argued that she suffered from a mental abnormality, which diminished her responsibility. They hoped she would be found guilty of nothing more than manslaughter.

The jury in the case deliberated for just 35 minutes yesterday before announcing that they had unanimously found Kumari-Baker guilty on both counts of murder.

During today's sentencing hearing, Farmer read extracts from a victim impact statement that was written by the girl's father, David Baker. It read in part:

"My words may not be sufficient. Having them taken away from me in such a brutal way and by the woman who was their mother has had an incalculable effect. I am haunted by the horror of the events of that night and probably will remain so for a long time."

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"Rekha Kumari always believed that her children were an extension of herself, existing to further her own life ambitions. For me, my love for them was different. I loved them as they were and watched them growing into two beautiful girls with a rich, full life ahead of them.

"I suffer from strong feelings of guilt that I didn't see it coming and helplessness that I have not been able to do anything about it.

"She tore them from us all, and life can't be the same for those who remain…. Nothing will ever bring my girls back or undo this monstrous act. I will never see them again in this life, though they live in my heart."

Prior to announcing his sentence, Justice David Bean said there was "clear and compelling evidence" of Kumari-Baker's guilt. 

"Most people will find it inexplicable that a mother could kill her own children, and you have given no explanation for it," Justice Bean said. He added, "Despite the diligent and professional efforts of your legal team, the evidence in support of your defense of diminished responsibility was flimsy and unsubstantial. You knew quite well what you were doing, and you were not mentally ill. The crimes were… murder, full stop. Davina and Jasmine were cruelly cut down in the prime of life. Their death has been a shattering loss to their father and friends."

Upon finishing his statement, Justice Bean sentenced Rekha Kumari-Baker to two mandatory life sentences and ruled that she should serve no less than 33 years behind bars before being considered for parole.

As a result of her sentence, Kumari-Baker, who has already served more than two years in jail, will not be eligible for parole until 2040. She will be 72 years old.

Related Link:
Rekha Kumari-Baker on Trial for Murder of Teen Daughters

Photo Credits: Police File Photos

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Comments

[Joe]

What a horrible, horrible crime. How could any mother do that?

[Kim]

David Baker should never utter that woman's name again and he shoudl go on to live a happy normal life, because THAT will be added punishment for this evil woman.

[Daniel Parks]

i feel so bad just stay focused and positive you will make it throgh it

[Diana]

Even if the act was consentual, it is still considered rape because of the boys age. But, you have to wonder, what kind of monster sleeps with her own son?!

[Diana]

Oops, posted that comment to the wrong blog! Sorry, David!

[LauraLee]

There are no words that I can say which would soften the blow of this tragedy nor help those who loved these beautiful girls. Unfortunately, the mother's feelings that the children were a way to hurt their father is all too familar in family law these days. It might be more extreme than most, but as a family law paralegal I have seen some that came close. They might not have taken the children's lives but they irrevocably hurt and changed the lives of their children forever. Unfortunately, even if the father had thought that the mother was capable of doing something to the girls to hurt him, it would have been impossible to prove in court. We need a better system regarding child custody issues. In California the a mediator meets with the family for about 30 minutes and then decides what is best for the children, this is simply not enough time. We need to fix the system to enable parents to protect their children. The spliting of children as if they are bank accounts or possesions needs to stop and the best interests of the children need to be put first. I hope that somewhere in the future someone will look at this case and see that something needs to be changed.

[jus me]

this is the sickest thing i have ever read. how does a mother kill her own children? i dont know they but i wanted to cry when i read it :( they are in a safe place now