FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit, (813) 274-1901, [email protected]

  

Jury Declines To Impose The Death Penalty For The Hillsborough County Man Found Guilty In The Murder of Beloved School Teacher

 

TAMPA, FL (November 17, 2022) — After finding that Defendant, Mathew Terry, was guilty of killing local elementary school teacher, Kay Baker, today the jury declined to recommend the death penalty for his crime.    

State Attorney Lopez noted: “We thank the jury for their service.  We respect their decision and ask that the community do the same.  Some may believe Kay Baker’s murder should result in a death sentence for this defendant and others may not.  Our team of prosecutors, however, believed at a minimum that the question of whether the defendant should receive the death penalty should be left for a jury’s recommendation.   The death penalty is the harshest penalty available and the most difficult to obtain.   I continue to believe that a jury should have the right to make a recommendation in the worst cases, such as this one, as to whether a defendant should be put to death.  I will not take that decision away from a jury.  I will follow the law.”

State Attorney Lopez concluded: “This case was never about the defendant.  It was about honoring Kay Baker and her loving family.  Kay’s family and friends have shown amazing grace and courage throughout this difficult process.  Today is the conclusion of this case, but we must always remember the wonderful Kay Baker, the lives she changed, and her legacy of service and kindness.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit – 813-274-1901 – [email protected]

Jury Finds Hillsborough County Man Guilty in Murder of Beloved School Teacher

TAMPA, FL (May 4, 2020) — After a five-day trial, a jury in Hillsborough County, Florida determined today that Defendant, Mathew Terry, is guilty of first-degree premeditated murder in the killing of local elementary school teacher, Kay Baker.

Kay Baker was 43 years old at the time she was killed.  Ms. Baker was a math teacher at a local elementary school.   She was the mother of two beautiful children.  She was a loving, kind, and caring person, and all who knew her are devastated by her death.  Her family attended every day of this trial and entrusted the prosecutors with not only proving what happened to Kay just after midnight on May 28, 2022, but also seeking justice for her death.

Ms. Baker was in a relationship with Defendant Terry when, on the night of the murder, they had an argument.  She was found stabbed to death, as she tried to flee from her killer.  The Defendant was previously convicted in Michigan of assault with intent to cause great bodily harm to a prior girlfriend when he stabbed her multiple times.  He was released from prison, and he moved to Florida.  Only five months later he took Kay Baker’s life.

Defendant Terry elected not to waive his constitutional right to a speedy trial.  Cases of this magnitude often take a year or more to reach a trial.  In this case, however, the Office of the State Attorney dedicated significant personnel and resources to ensure that this case would be ready for trial quickly.   Senior prosecutors, including State Attorney Susan S. Lopez, helped the trial team by covering depositions, analyzing evidence, and developing the trial strategy quickly in this case.  The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner not only participated in the investigation but supported the trial team to ensure every piece of evidence was ready for trial.

State Attorney Lopez explained: “Today is a day for us to remember this amazing and beautiful soul that was taken from our community in a senseless, despicable act.    Kay Baker was a public servant and treasured member of her family.  I have visited with her family throughout the trial and our trial team has worked tirelessly to seek justice.  I am proud of all of our prosecutors and support staff who stepped-up in light of the speedy trial deadlines to support this trial team, which included Assistant State Attorneys Justin Diaz and Darrell Dirks.  I am thankful for the quick work of the Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to ensure we had all the evidence we needed to prove this crime. “

Cases involving dating violence are among the most tragic that end up at the State Attorney’s Office for prosecution.  State Attorney Lopez said, “I want every person in our community to know that there are resources available to help you get out of a violent relationship.  Violence is never ok and never the answer.”

In Hillsborough County, The Spring of Tampa Bay provides support through a 24-hour hotline for survivors to call or text – – 813-247-SAFE.

The case will now move to the penalty phase.  The State of Florida filed notice indicating our prosecutors will ask a jury to recommend the death penalty for Defendant Terry.   We expect the penalty phase of the case to take several days.