News

Baker gets 20 to life

Posted September 10, 2007 11:00 pm

The Corning Leader staff

An Elmira man convicted of killing a 20 month-old toddler was sentenced Monday to 20 years to life in prison.

Avery J. Baker Jr. was sentenced by Chemung County Court Judge Peter C. Buckley for causing the death of Jordan Steiner on Sept. 15, 2006. The toddler died from a severe blow to the head.

Baker was convicted in July of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, several counts of endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree reckless endangerment.

Buckley could have sentenced Baker to a 25-years to life term but instead imposed a slightly lighter sentence.

Chemung County Assistant District Attorney Da-mian Sonsire said he had asked for the maximum sentence.

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Several family members of the deceased child referred to Baker as an animal when they spoke to the court prior to sentencing.

Baker admitted to police he spanked and shook the child in a fit of rage, throwing the toddler. Police said Baker reacted after finding the toddler writing on a television screen with a crayon. He admitted to police that he has an anger problem and said it was an accident that the child hit his head on the floor.

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