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Wife retracted PFA on husband
The petition was filed and a temporary order granted Sept. 14. But two weeks later, the order was withdrawn at Melissa Baker's request.
On Friday, Melissa Baker was found dead in her mobile home in Crucible. She had been strangled and her neck cut with a knife. Her husband, Scott J. Baker, 37, of Nemacolin, is being held in Washington County Jail charged with her death.
No one who could be reached Monday could explain why Melissa Baker had decided to drop the PFA order, or if she had not dropped it whether it would have made a difference.
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"A greater percentage of abusers abide by a PFA order than those who do not," Moon said. However, she added, "people need to understand a PFA is just a piece of paper, it's not a bulletproof vest."
In her PFA petition, Baker said she and her husband argued Sept. 14 about whether to have another child. He had been drinking, she said, and had made her write down that he was not responsible for their 18-month-old son; he wanted to give up his rights to the child.
Scott Baker said he was going to kill himself and grabbed a knife, Melissa Baker said. He also told her to get her gun but she refused. Scott Baker slammed the door on her hand and pushed her to the floor, injuring her foot and hand. He also waved the knife in her face.
"He was still saying he was going to kill himself and that it could be a slow painful death or he could blow his brains out," the petition said. He also said he could stab her if she didn't get the gun.
Melissa Baker said she eventually escaped and was able to call police. An ambulance came and Scott Baker agreed to go to the hospital and commit himself, the petition said.
Scott Baker was served the petition by a sheriff's deputy that day on the fourth floor at Southwest Regional Medical Center. The floor contains the hospital's behavioral health unit.
Melissa Baker also said in the petition that Scott Baker had abused her in the past, pushing her into the oven and injuring her head on a knob, pushing her to the floor and threatening to kill her and her child. He also had threatened her with a knife, she said.
According to court records, the couple married Oct. 21, 2006. At the time, his employment was listed as laborer and student and hers as therapist and bartender.
For about the past year, Melissa Baker worked as a corrections officer at Greene County Jail. She was a good officer and was being groomed for the position of shift supervisor, Warden Harry D. Gillispie said.
Several people said Melissa Baker planned to get a divorce. The petition indicates she also was seeking custody of the couple's 18-month-old son, Brett Baker. Scott Baker's 12-year-old son, Nathaniel Baker, also was residing in her home.
Police said Nathaniel was in the home when Scott Baker killed his wife Friday and witnessed part of the assault.
A man who knew the couple, Travis Penich of Carmichaels, said the couple seemed to get along well but it was easy to see Scott Baker was "very controlling."
Penich said he lived with Scott Baker in Crucible for four to six years about eight years ago. Melissa Baker also lived in the home with Scott for about two years.
"Melissa was a really, really nice person. She would go out of her way to do anything for anyone," Penich said.
Penich said Scott Baker was "actually OK." He was not violent or the type of person to go out and start trouble, but he was very serious.
"You could joke with him, but everything he did in life was pre-meditated. He was very organized down to the last penny." He also was very impatient and appeared on edge or like "he could snap," Penich said.
Penich, who is an uncle to Scott Baker's son Nathaniel, said he believes Scott Baker wasn't working and was on disability for a knee injury. He knew Baker had worked as a bouncer at several bars and had cleaned carpets with him years ago when they both worked for Roth Carpet.
Scott Baker also had served in the military but "not for as long as he put on," Penich said. He said he believed Scott was in the U.S. Marines for less than a month though sometimes, especially around women, he acted like he was in the service much longer.
"For him to come out and act like he was in the military was mind-boggling," Penich said.
Penich said he didn't know what happened Friday. He said he had heard Melissa Baker might be trying to get full custody of the children. He said he also heard Scott Baker was getting help for anger management.
"My opinion about the whole ordeal was that Scott wanted everything to work out so badly (between him and Melissa) that if Scott couldn't have a relationship with her, she wouldn't have a relationship with anyone else," he said.
Penich said he feels sorry for everyone involved but especially the children - Nathaniel, who won't have a father around as he grows up, and Brett, who won't have a mother or father around to help him in life.
Scott Baker also had been in trouble with the law in the past.
He was convicted by a Greene County jury in September 1994 on charges of burglary, theft and conspiracy and was sentenced to 111/2 to 36 months in jail.
Baker and three others were charged with breaking into the Davis Giant Market in Dry Tavern, now the Giant Eagle supermarket, and stealing $13,478.
He also testified in a 1996 case in which he provided a gun to a man, Joseph Grash Jr., who was charged with shooting and wounding Grash's parents. Baker testified at a preliminary hearing that he had loaned Grash the gun after Grash told him he was going to use it for target practice.
When he later asked Grash if Grash was involved in the shooting he said Grash threatened him and told him to mind his own business. Charges against Grash were later dropped.
Baker also pleaded guilty in 1995 to impersonating a public servant and was sentenced in Washington County court to a year of probation. Details of his arrest, on Oct. 21, 1994, were not available Monday.
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Betrayed : 11/24/2009
You cant trust anyone anymore. I trusted that man w the most important thing in my life my son. My son looked up to that man as is ftball coach and a friend. We were on the phone with scott the night the cops were looking for him and he acted like we were talking to him about an mutual freind not his wife.Anyone that can stay that calm as he did both times we spoke to him on friday definatly has mental issues. Ijust wish that i would have knew sooner that he was like that because my son would have never went near his place. My heart goes out to those boys and the family. Ihope someday god forgives scott because i dont see him getting it from all he decieved. May you spend the rest of your life scott with nothing but pain and remorse.
A repeating offense : 11/24/2009
I too was a victim of domestic violence, this does not stop with a PFA and then you have the abuser get an attorney who will stick up for them and lie. The bottom line with the abuser is so true, if they cant have you then they want noone else to have you. It never gets anybetter and there are a lot of warning signs that woman should be able to see. Also when a man does not like his mother this makes for a bad husband figure
: 11/24/2009
It doesn't matter why she retracted the PFA. The point is, he was unstable and judging by his past he could care less about the law or the civil piece of paper we call a PFA. He would have done it anyway. Linda is right PFA's are not bullet proof...they work for those who don't want to break the law. Also, there are a lot of reasons she would have lifted the PFA. When a PFA is in affect the individual with the PFA against him should no longer be able to purchase a gun, which is a great thing. But, being in rural PA hunting is a way of life for a lot of guys. I am not saying that's why she did it.But, there are a million reasons, he could have threatened her. This man if you want to call him a man, is truly unstable. I think this would have happened regardless. Rest in piece Melissa..Scott, you ruined so many lives
Woman Murdered : 11/24/2009
Protection from abuse orders are not worth the time when applying for the document, nor the paper it is written on. Melissa was a former US Marine who knew how to handle weapons. She should have enlisted the aid of the two brothers - Smith and Wesson.
PFA : 11/24/2009
PFA or no PFA, no difference. Very sad state of affairs. I will continue to pray for Melissa's family. Only God can deliver the peace they will need to get through this.
: 11/24/2009
A pfa is effective if you can get one and if it is enforced.
How sad : 11/24/2009
It makes one wonder what makes a spouse decide to kill his/her spouse. Maybe they both needed counseling before they married. It sounds like he had some major issues. I feel bad for her family and the baby who lost his mom.
suicide is painless : 11/24/2009
It's always the ones who talk about suicide who don't go through with it. They usually lash out, like this. I don't even have a psychology degree and I know this. Seems like this could have been avoided. So sad.
PFA : 11/24/2009
Most PFA's are issued and usually not followed by the victim. The victim allows the other person back in. It is a cycle of violence that only the victim can stop not a piece of paper from the courts.
Melissa,s Life : 11/24/2009
It's sad to hear that this girl lost her life, she knew her life was at risk and still to have it taken from her. Her family is in my thoughts and prayers, thank god this young boy was there to know what happened. It's sad that he had to see what he did but he really did what was right. We don't need to have this county of a hunt for a killer, she gave them the warning signs when she got a PFA they just do what they always do wait until something really happens.
Wife retracted PFA on husband : 11/24/2009
PFA's do not work around here anyways! I know someone who has a PFA on her ex, and he is still coming around her and calling. Then he gets time, but his time is very limited and he is right back at it again. We need to do something to stop the next women from being hurt!
in response to "woman murdered" : 11/24/2009
This is what's wrong with society...her husband murders her, and still people find a way to say what she "should" or "shouldn't" have done. Why is it always about what the victim did wrong, and not the abuser? That being said...as Linda Moon stated, a PFA is a piece of paper, not a bulltproof vest. This is true. However- it has made a difference in other cases. So, if it makes the difference for even one woman, it's worth it.
Tragic end : 11/25/2009
As someone who knew and worked with Melissa, I would like to send my love to her family, especially her son. She was a strong, amazing woman, and it breaks my heart knowing what she went through for him. She will be greatly missed.
PFA's : 11/25/2009
I agree' PFAs are not worth filing for. I have had a PFA on my ex-husband for at least 12 years, and in the past when he gave me trouble and I would call for help I was always told that the police do not get involved in domestic disputes, but if he was to hurt me then something would be done, what a crock. It's sad that this happened to such a wonderful person, may you now REST IN PEACE.
PFA's : 12/1/2009
It is also a shame that when you file for a PFA you can not include any of his family members. After I filed for one my husbands sister harassed me, my daughters, called the police with nonsense stories and my landlord many times to the point of harassing him. Believe me, if I could have named his sister I would have. She has now made it impossible for his step daughters and granddaughters to have any relationship with him. They are not interested in even speaking to him not only because of his actions but the actions of his sister.
WE LOVE YOU BRETT : 12/2/2009
Unbelievable, We knew Melissa through the net. She was part of a group where we were all pregnant together. So we have known her since she got pregnant with Brett. He was her world. She loved that little boy more than life itsself. My heart go out to her and Nathanial. I hope they can be together somday.
