Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Thomas K. Milligan

Prosecutor: Wayne Steele

Defense: Harry Fiamas

Date of Murder: September 6-7, 1985

Victim(s): Nadine Baird W/F/32 (wife); Kathryn Baird W/F/78 (mother); Arthur Paul Baird, I W/M/68 (father)

Method of Murder: manual strangulation (Nadine); stabbing with knife (Katherine); stabbing with knife (Arthur)

Summary: Baird strangled his wife on their bed in their trailer home in Darlington for no apparent reason. His wife was 6 months pregnant. He spent several hours watching TV and holding his wife's body. Early the following morning, he went to his parents' home nearby, and after feeding the chickens and getting a haircut from his Mom, he stabbed them both to death with a butcher knife. He left after loading up his belongings, and was arrested in Huntingburg, 2 hours away, the next day. (insanity defense)

Conviction: Murder, Murder, Murder, Feticide (C Felony)

Sentencing: March 13, 1987 (Jury recommended death for the murder of his Mother and his Father, but against death for the murder of his wife. The Court sentenced Baird to 60 years for the Murder of Nadine Baird and 8 years for Feticide, to be served concurrently; Death for the Murder of Kathryn Baird and Death for the Murder of Arthur Baird.)

Aggravating Circumstances: b(8) 3 murders

Mitigating Circumstances: extreme mental and emotional disturbance, no criminal history, active in church, employed; provided for family, honorable discharge from military, person of good character in community

Direct Appeal:
Baird v. State, 604 N.E.2d 1170 (Ind. December 1, 1992)
Conviction Affirmed 5-0 DP Affirmed 5-0
Debruler Opinion; Shepard, Givan, Dickson, Krahulik concur

Baird v. Indiana, 114 S. Ct. 255 (1993) (Cert. denied)

PCR:
PCR filed 04-29-94; Denied by Special Judge Vincent Grogg 12-07-95
Baird v. State, 688 N.E.2d 911 (Ind. 1997)
Affirmed 5-0; Boehm Opinion; Shepard, Dickson, Sullivan, Selby concur.