Clay County Murder Trial: Defense Continues to Present Witnesses in Fatal Stabbing Case
Testimony in the Clay County murder trial of Cindi Rawlins Baker, accused of fatally stabbing her husband in 2019, resumed on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, with the defense calling multiple witnesses to the stand. Baker, 67, of Charlie, was indicted in February 2020 for the murder of her husband, James W. Baker, who died from a stab wound to the chest on November 19, 2019.
The trial, taking place in the 97th Judicial District Courtroom within the Clay County Courthouse in Henrietta, began on Wednesday, December 10, with a jury of five men and seven women. The prosecution is being handled by Katie Boggeman, 97th Judicial District Attorney, and Paige McCormick, First Assistant District Attorney. Cindi Baker is represented by Wichita Falls defense attorneys Dustin Nimz and Lauren Allen. Judge Trish Coleman Byars is presiding over the proceedings.
Brother Testifies to Concerns About Marital Relationship
The defense’s presentation of evidence continued Tuesday morning with attorney Dustin Nimz calling Michael Bush, Cindi Baker’s brother, to the stand. Early in Bush’s testimony, Judge Byars temporarily excused the jury to address legal matters concerning hearsay statements. Following an approximately 45-minute discussion, the judge issued limiting instructions to Nimz regarding the scope of his questioning of Bush.
Once the jury returned, Nimz questioned Bush about what he described as recurring concerns regarding the relationship between James and Cindi Baker. Bush recounted an incident in 2003 where he witnessed an argument between the couple and expressed concern for his sister’s well-being, recalling James Baker aggressively telling Cindi to return inside the house. “I can’t believe she was treated that way,” Bush stated on the stand.
Bush also testified about a phone call from Cindi Baker in 2011, after which he feared for her safety and posted a plea for help on a community bulletin board when he was unable to re-establish contact. He further described an occasion in 2013 when Cindi, James, and their daughter Emily stayed with him. Bush recalled making the couple promise not to fight before their arrival. He testified that during their stay, after their daughter Emily broke something, Cindi began reprimanding her, at which point James Baker allegedly began pinching and twisting Emily’s thigh. Bush drew a parallel between this behavior and actions Cindi Baker had described in the moments leading up to the fatal stabbing. “All I know is that when my sister would come to me, she was always hurt,” Bush testified.
During cross-examination by prosecutor Katie Boggeman, Bush admitted he did not witness the events preceding the incidents he described. He acknowledged that Cindi and James Baker had a volatile relationship and that both struggled with alcohol. “She never had issues until she met J.W.,” Bush remarked.
Lubbock Officer Recounts Domestic Disturbance Call
The defense then called Justin Rindlisbacher, a patrol officer with the Lubbock Police Department, to testify. Although the prosecution had subpoenaed Officer Rindlisbacher for rebuttal testimony, Nimz called him as part of the defense’s case in chief.
Officer Rindlisbacher testified that in the summer of 2019, he responded to a call from Cindi Baker concerning a domestic disturbance in Mackenzie Park in Lubbock. He stated that Cindi Baker, identified as the victim in his report, complained of pain in her thigh and breast and that he observed bruising on both areas. He began investigating an assault and noted that other officers photographed the bruises.
Officer Rindlisbacher also spoke with James Baker, who was asleep in their vehicle when the officer arrived. According to the officer, James Baker downplayed the incident and did not provide details about the alleged assault.
On cross-examination by Boggeman, Officer Rindlisbacher testified that at the time of the incident, James and Cindi Baker were homeless and living in their car. He recalled Cindi Baker stating that while they were driving, James Baker grabbed her head and began smashing it into the dashboard. However, he noted that he observed no injuries to Cindi Baker’s head. Officer Rindlisbacher further testified that his investigation revealed Cindi Baker had used a knife to poke James Baker in the arm “to get him to stop squeezing” her thigh. He stated that Cindi Baker never claimed James Baker had pursued or chased her. James Baker, the officer added, never told him that Cindi Baker had stabbed him, attributing dried blood found on his hands and in the vehicle to a whittling accident. Officer Rindlisbacher concluded his testimony by stating that Cindi Baker refused medical treatment and that he did not believe she was in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death during the incident.
Siblings Offer Testimony in Defense
Two more of Cindi Baker’s siblings were called to the stand by the defense. Both sisters, who are younger than Cindi, testified that over time, they grew concerned about their sister’s relationship with James Baker. They stated they were aware of alleged incidents of abuse by James Baker but had never personally witnessed any physical altercations.
Defense Rests, Rebuttal Witnesses Begin
By approximately 4:40 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, the defense rested its case. The prosecution then reopened its case to call rebuttal witnesses, with the first taking the stand that evening. This witness was a cousin of Cindi Baker who lived nearby. The cousin testified that she had heard accounts from family members regarding James Baker’s alleged abuse of Cindi Baker throughout their relationship but admitted that over time, she began to question the veracity of these claims.
At approximately 5:15 p.m., Judge Byars adjourned court for the day.
Final Rebuttal Witnesses Scheduled for Wednesday
Prosecutors are expected to present two additional rebuttal witnesses on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, before resting their case. Testimony is scheduled to resume at 8:30 a.m. in the 97th Judicial District Court. Following the conclusion of witness testimony, both the prosecution and defense are anticipated to deliver their closing arguments to the jury after a charge conference, where both sides will agree on the jury instructions. The case will then be submitted to the jury for deliberation, aiming for a unanimous verdict of either guilty or not guilty.
Should the jury find Baker guilty, the trial will proceed to a punishment phase. Baker has previously indicated her intent for the jury to determine her sentence. If convicted, she faces a potential sentence ranging from 5 to 99 years or life imprisonment.
