Convicted Preacher Wants New Trial

WACO, Texas (AP) _ A former Waco-area Baptist preacher convicted of killing his wife and trying to cover it up as a suicide is seeking a new trial.

Matt Baker was sentenced to 65 years in prison after his conviction last month. Now, he’s alleging ineffective representation by his trial attorneys.

Court officials say the motion for a new trial was filed Monday afternoon in a state District Court in Waco where his trial was held. The judge has 45 days to make a ruling on the appeal.

Baker’s appellate attorney Stan Schwieger didn’t return calls seeking comment.

Baker was convicted last month of giving his wife Kari sleeping pills and smothering her with a pillow in 2006. According to testimony, he then typed a suicide note and rubbed her lifeless hand over it in case authorities checked for fingerprints.

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