LIMA — Former Shawnee High School teacher Kyle Baker on Friday waived his constitutional right to a speedy trial during a brief appearance in Allen County Common Pleas Court. Lima attorney Robert Grzybowski, who is representing Baker, said additional time was needed to properly prepare his client’s case.
Judge David Cheney set Baker’s jury trial for May 21.
Baker, 27, was charged in late December with sexual battery, a third-degree felony, after a Shawnee Township Police officer observed Baker and a 14-year-old female student together in Baker’s vehicle. Police had received a tip that Baker was having an improper relationship with the student.
A grand jury in mid-February added additional charges. Baker now faces five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, five counts of sexual battery and a single count of tampering with evidence. All are third-degree felonies.
The defendant has been incarcerated in the Allen County Jail since his arrest.
During a pre-trial hearing last month, prosecutors asked Cheney impose a stricter no-contact order after it came to light that the former teacher, who is currently on unpaid leave, had tried to use another prisoner in the Allen County jail to communicate with the 14-year-old.
In letters authored by the defendant, Baker reportedly asked the girl “what she told police, mentions about getting their stories straight, wanting to continue to be with her when he gets out, what the possible punishments might be and basically telling her we’re on the same side of this and things of that nature,” Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Terri Kohlrieser told the court during the February hearing.
Cheney chastised Baker for his actions and prohibited him from receiving or sending any communications unless it’s with his attorney.
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