Republican and Beck Fan - "Dannie Baker" Set to go to Trial in April for the Chilean Student Murders

Dannie Baker, the former Republican National Committee Volunteer, Glenn Beck enthusiast and the man charged with killing two Chilean students and wounding three others in February 2009 is scheduled to go to trial April 11. Walton County Circuit Judge on Thursday set the trial date. A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 27. “We’re going to push for the trial to be in April,” Assistant State Attorney Bobby Elmore said after Wells set the date. “Nothing’s certain because we can’t predict the future. But it’s looking good.”

Baker, 61, is being held at the Walton County Jail. He was arrested Feb. 26, 2009, just hours after he murdered 22-year-old Racine Argandona and 23-year-old Nicholas Corp-Torres at Summer Lake town home complex on Scenic Gulf Drive in Miramar Beach. At the time, he told neighbors he was going to kill Mexican illegal immigrants. The Chilean students -- here in the country legally -- were visiting a friend when lawmen say Baker fired a rifle through one of the unit’s windows about 1:45 a.m.

Three other students, Sebastian Arizaga-Suarez, David Bilboa-Meza and Francisco Cofre-Fernandez were wounded in the shooting. After the shooting, Baker barricaded himself in his town home at the same complex until he surrendered shortly after 6 a.m., according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.

Baker is charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, three counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm and shooting into an occupied building. Baker was committed to Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee for mental evaluation and treatment for over a year, attempting to play the "crazy card." However, much to Baker's disappointment, he was determined competent in August 2010 to stand trial.

The three students who were wounded returned to Chile. Elmore said they likely will be called to testify at Baker’s trial. Elmore said the state will seek the death penalty.

Roberto Rivera of Destin spoke with Elmore after the date was set. “From what I’ve been told it looks good for April,” said Rivera, who has kept in touch with two of the students who were wounded. “He can still possibly relapse and the trial won’t begin. For the family, this is going to be a very significant event.

“We all thought he would be playing the crazy card for five years.” Rivera looked around the courtroom and shook his head. He said media attention has declined since the shootings occurred, but the case should resonate with people throughout the community. “This was a national disaster,” he said. “Those kids have had medical issues, psychological issues, and I’m the only one here (for this case). It’s disgraceful. “He (Baker) has to pay for what he’s done, and everyone should care about that.”
Note to Readers: "Immigration Talk with a Mexican American" will continue to follow this trial until the Court Decision and Penalty Phase are announced.

Update: Dannie Baker, Murderer of Chilean Students, To Stand Trial

On February 26, 2009, Dannie Baker, an RNC volunteer and consumed by Hate for all Latino Immigrants, peered through the apartment window of visiting Chilean Students and shot 5 of them, murdering two, Racine Libia Balbontin-Argandona, 22, and Nicholas Pablo Corp-Torres, 23.
As I previously reported, Baker admitted the shooting to police and they arrested him. However, during his trial for the murders, the Judge found him incompetent and sent him to Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee for treatment in November 2009.

In July, 2010, eight months after being found incompetent to stand trial, Baker has been discharged from the state hospital, was taken to Walton County Jail to be re-examined. In August, 2010, Baker was found competent to stand trial for the murders.
Public defender Lenny Platteborze told Walton County Circuit Judge Kelvin Wells on Tuesday that psychologists have said that Baker, 61, can go to trial. Assistant State Attorney Bobby Elmore, who is prosecuting the case, asked Wells to review Larsen’s findings and rule on whether to go to trial. Wells said he will review Larsen’s report and scheduled a pre-trial hearing for Oct. 21. In the meantime, Baker’s attorneys will collect evidence, Elmore said.

Hate Crime Murder Trials in 2009: Pledge to Viewers - I will Continue to Track Status!

The FBI has reported that Hate Crimes against Latinos have increased by over 40%. As my long time readers know, I have been tracking 4 Hate Crimes against Latinos which occurred over a 10 month period. I want to shed enough light on these crimes to ensure the perpetrators of these crimes are punished to the fullest extent of the law. That way, potential future Hate Crime Murderers will know and if they follow through and commit the crime, they will be identified and punished. Hopefully, this will deter them from the committing these crimes at all.

Most Heinous Hate Crimes Against Latinos in 10 month time period:

1. Luis Ramirez murder - July 12, 2008; Piekarsky, Donchak Trial: May 2009, found not guilty of most serious crimes. Sentenced to 6 months for minor offenses. Dec., 2009, DOJ Grand Jury indicts for Hate Crime Murders. In Prison. No Bond.

2. Marcelo Lucero murder - Nov. 8, 2008 by Caucasian Crew who regularly went "Beaner Jumping": Dec. 2009, Crew defendants plea bargains against charged murderer Jeff Conroy.

3. Chilean Student Murders - Feb. 26, 2009; Two innocents murdered, three wounded. Nov. 19, 2009: Dannie Baker found mentally incompetent to stand trial. Sent to FL State Mental Hospital.

4. 9 yr old Brisenia Flores and Dad - May 30, 2009; Minutemen Leaders Shawna Forde & Gunny Forde indicted for 1st degree murder with death penalty. Trial date tbd.

While I am confident in murders 1, 2, and 4 holding the perps accountable, I am still concerned about Dannie Baker receiving his proper punishment. Here is the latest update from one of Baker's surviving victims.

NWFDailyNews reports:

MIRAMAR BEACH — Francisco Javier Cofre-Fernandez’s life changed dramatically the morning of Feb. 26.
The once vibrant 25-year-old was shot in the face. He lost sight in one eye, lost his right arm and suffered facial damages after lawmen say Dannie Baker opened fire through a window of a town home on Cofre-Fernandez and other Chilean students about 1:45 a.m.
Five students, four men and a woman, were eating and discussing job opportunities in Destin when Baker shot them with a rifle at Summer Lake town home subdivision on Scenic Gulf Drive. Walton County sheriff’s deputies arrived to find two of them dead and three wounded. Baker, 61, barricaded himself inside his nearby town home until he surrendered shortly after 6 a.m.

He was held at the Walton County Jail from then until Circuit Judge Kelvin Wells ruled Nov. 19 that he was incompetent to stand trial. Florida State Hospital is required to report Baker’s mental-health status to Wells within six months, although it can report that he is competent at any time, Assistant State Attorney Bobby Elmore said after the November hearing.
If Baker is not deemed competent, the hospital will continue to treat him and provide annual reports to Wells, Elmore said. If he is deemed incompetent for five years, the case must be dismissed. However, charges can be re-filed if he ever becomes competent, Elmore said.
“It is very difficult to accept something like that. I know that a mentally sane person cannot do something like Baker did, but it should not go unpunished,” Cofre-Fernandez said.

Justice Denied for Another Hate Crime Against Latinos:Judge Says Dannie Baker Incompetent to Proceed in Chilean Student Murders & Released from Prison

First, the murderers of Luis Ramirez got off with a handslap of only six months in county jail (released next month), now the murderer of the innocent Chilean Students has been deemed to be incompetent to stand trial and is being released from prison. He is being sent to the historic mansion of the Florida State Mental Hospital in Chatahoochee. In these plush surroundings, he will receive competency training for up to five years, at which point his charges may be commuted or dropped.


On February 27, 2009, this vicious murderer, Dannie Roy Baker, began his murderous rampage a little before 2:00 am at the units of the Summer Lake Townhomes in Miramar Beach, Florida. Investigators said Baker left his townhouse, armed with a rifle, walked across the complex to the victims' unit's window, peaked inside, and opened fire. Baker, was an avid listener of Glenn Beck and other right wing shock jocks, and a volunteer for the Republican National Committee during previous presidential elections. After the shooting, his neighbor, Crystal Lynn said, "he did come up to me one time and ask me if I was ready for the revolution to begin and if I had any immigrants in my house to get them out."


On March 19, 2009, Walton County Grand Jury returned an indictment against Dannie Roy Baker before Circuit Judge Kelvin Wells for two counts of First Degree Premeditated Murder with a Firearm; three counts Attempted First Degree Premeditated Murder with a Firearm and one count Shooting at, into or within a Building. Count one of the Indictment was for the death of Racine Libia Balbontin Argandona, count two was for the death of Nicholas Pablo Corp Torres. The other three counts were also for Chilean nationals shot in their apartment. The State’s Attorney’s Office decided to seek the death penalty on the two counts of First Degree Premeditated Murder.


On November 19, 2009, Walton County Circuit Judge Kelvin C. Wells addressed him, saying, “At this time, the court is finding that … you’re incompetent to proceed and I’m going to have the sheriff transport (you) to Florida State Hospital and (you) will remain there until further order of the court.” Baker, looking slimmer than his previous photos, appeared calm and attentive, obviously prepared for the happy news of leaving prison to go to the historic mansions.


Roberto Rivera, who attended Thursday’s hearing on behalf of Cofre-Fernandez and his family, said he believes the shootings are a “politically motivated hate crime.” “Nobody’s mentioned it, but that’s what it was,” he said. Baker thought he was “protecting America from the hoards of illegal aliens,” Rivera said. He added that “the level of hatred toward liberals, Obama and migrant workers is getting out of hand.” Baker was “driven by hate and racism and a simpleton mind who’s been listening to hate radio,” he said.

Chilean Student Murderer Dannie Baker to receive State Competency Examination. Pre-Trial Date set for Nov. 19.

Dannie Roy Baker, the man who shot five innocent Chilean students and murdered two of them, had his day in court last Thursday,8/20. He is charged with shooting into a south Walton apartment and killing two young Chileans. He is charged with two charges of Premeditated Murder First Degree with a Firearm, Aggravated Battery Using a Deadly Weapon, Shoot Missile Into A Dwelling and three charges of Attempted Premeditated Murder First Degree with a Firearm. Baker's defense attorney told Judge Wells his doctor’s professional opinion is Baker is incompetent. State Attorney Elmore requested and the judge signed an order for a State Competency Examination by Dr. Harry McLarin. They have until October 20 to submit the report and the pre-trial is set for November 19. The defense attorney also asked that the examination be videotaped.

Dannie Baker's PreTrial Hearing Reset to August 20. Jury Selection Expected to Begin Sept. 14.

Chilean Student Murderer Danny Baker's PreTrial hearing has been postponed yet again. The PreTrial Hearing is reset to August 20. The Jury Selection is expected to begin on September 14. (see details of the crime)

The court appointed attorney, Lenny Platterborze, said more time was needed for a mental health specialist to issue an opinion on Baker. Platterborze also said there were "several pages of names of witnesses" who he planned to depose. Platterborze said Baker was willing to waive his right to a speedy trial in order to allow this specialist to issue his opinion.

If Dr. James Larson, the defense's psychologist, thinks Baker is incompetent to stand trial, the prosecution is allowed to have Baker evaluated with an expert of their own. If the psychologists have differing opinions, Judge Wells could ask for a third opinion. If the judge finds Baker is unfit to stand trial, Baker could be sent to a state hospital, where the staff would treat him and try to help him regain competency for a trial. (Sounds like Baker is pretty competent since he understands all of this and is waiving his right to a speedy trial! It is clear to me that he and is lawyer are waiting for attention to this trial to die down. Guess What! We are going to keep reporting on it until he is found guilty for his crimes!)

Meanwhile, while the defense is dragging its feet, the consul general for Chile, Juan Luis Nilo, traveled from Miami on Thursday to attend accused murderer Dannie Baker's pretrial hearing. Understandably, the entire country of Chile is extremely upset over the murders of these innocent students. Nilo clarified that the victims' families aren't worried about justice in the United States, they're simply not familiar with the court system and it makes them anxious. Nilo said he is working as a liaison to help them understand what is happening because they cannot attend. "They're very touched and suffering and recovering," Nilo said. "It's very hard for the families to accept what happened. They are waiting for answers and I'm trying to give them the answers they are looking for."

Assistant State Attorney Greg Anchors said the state will pay for essential witnesses and representatives of the victims' families to travel to the trial. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty for Baker, who has entered a plea of not guilty.

"We are very confident," Nilo said. "We're very pleased with the level of professionalism of the State Attorney's office."
Reference:

Baker murder trial scheduled for September

Chilean Student Murderer Dannie Baker to Appear in Court Thursday, June 25 for PreTrial Hearing

In February, one of the most heinous HATE Crimes against Latinos in U.S. history was committed by Dannie Baker. Baker, a Republican activist and Christian Conservative, viciously murdered two young Latino - Chilean students and wounded three others.

On March 27, his attorney Lenny Platterborze entered a written plea of not guilty for him. On March 31, the State Attorney's Office officially notified the court they intended to seek the death penalty. Baker is being held with no bond and is set to appear in court this Thursday, June 25 at 8:30 a.m. for a pretrial hearing.

I have contacted the local newspapers, the Northwest Florida Daily News and the Panhandle Parade and asked if they will be in court and reporting on this story. I have not heard back from them but will be calling them today.

The Hate Crimes against Latinos inspired by the Hate Talk from the extreme right, including Beck, Dobbs and Limbaugh, must be stopped. We have seen far too many of them this past year. We have seen corruption, a biased jury and a very light sentence in the Luis Ramirez case. The next case before the court is the Dannie Baker case. Next the murderers of Marcelo Lucero, the Caucasian Crew of Patchogue, NY. Soon we will see the minutemen murderers Shawna Forde/Gunny Bush tried for the murder of 9 year old Brisenia Flores and her father.

We need to keep all of these cases on the front burner. We need to follow them so that the perpetrators of these crimes will be punished to the fullest extent of the law! Each day they spend incarcerated will seem like 100 days! That way, anyone even considering a similar Hate Crime will take pause. They will know that if they commit such a crime, all of us who value Justice, Humanity and non-violence will continue to report and follow their cases until they are punished to the fullest extent of the law! If even ONE murder is stopped due to our diligence, then it will be worth all of our efforts!

God Bless America!

May there be Freedom, Justice, Peace and Equality for ALL!!

BREAKING NEWS: Court Date Postponed for Dannie Baker, Chilean Student Murderer

Despite the fact that it was scheduled to begin today, the Florida state courts have decided to postpone the trial against 60 year-old Dannie Roy Baker until June 25. Baker is charged with murdering Chilean nationals Nicolás Corp, 23, and Racine Balbotín, 22, on February 26 of this year.

The postponement of the trial may have been a result of the fact that the prosecution has decided to seek the death penalty for Baker, who –according to reports- will plead "not guilty" to the three charges against him: two charges of homicide, three charges of attempted homicide, as well as opening fire at an occupied lot.
In addition to murdering Racine Balbotín and Nicolás Corp, Baker also seriously injured three other students after entering the residence where group was gathered with a 30-calibre rifle.

Update: Accused murderer Dannie Baker did not appear in court Tuesday as originally scheduled.
Instead, his attorney Lenny Platterborze entered a written plea of not guilty on March 27. On March 31, the State Attorney's Office officially notified the court they intended to seek the death penalty for the crimes Baker is charged with, according to the Walton County Clerk of Courts Web site.

Reference:

Trial postponed for man who murdered Chileans in Pensacola

Dannie Baker enters not guilty plea

Chilean Student Murderer Dannie Baker to Face Death Penalty!

State to seek death penalty in Miramar shooting deaths

Dannie Baker is charged with two counts of premeditated murder, one count of aggravated battery with a weapon and three counts of attempted first degree premeditated murder. The prosecutor is seeking the death penalty in the case and Baker's attorneys have filed a written plea of not guilty.

Baker's defense attorney Lenny Platteborze said, "It is too early to strategize. At this time I have put in the request for demand for discovery and am waiting for that information to come from the state prosecutor's office."

Discovery will include all the evidence the state has gathered, a list of any witnesses they have interviewed and any other pertinent information the defense team will need to create their case. According to Platteborze, many factors will come into play before the trial takes place. The first is the mental and physical evaluation Baker will undergo with forensic psychologist, Dr. Larson, April 14. Information gathered regarding Baker's life will be considered along with results from the evaluation performed by Larson.

The death penalty trial is a two-part jury trial. The first phase is the guilt phase when the state puts forth enough evidence to prove the crime of capital or felony murder took place. The second phase is where the judge sets the penalty. Capital murder is likened to someone getting shot during another crime, such as a liquor store robbery gone bad, according to Platteborze. The state considers premeditated murder a felony.
In Florida there are only two outcomes during a felony murder trial, life imprisonment without parole or death by lethal injection. "The jury will make recommendation for death or life," said Platteborze. "The defense also has the opportunity to present the case for mitigating circumstances and explain the course of conduct they found the person guilty of." According to Platteborze the state can withdraw the intent for the death penalty at any time, if the facts do not support it. "This is why we take the time to evaluate, participate in discovery and interview all parties involved," he said.

The prosecuting attorney assigned to this case is Robert Elmore. When his office was contacted April 13 he was in court and could not be reached for comments. Attempts to contact investigators were also unsuccessful.

Another Workplace ICE Raid, this time in Murderer Dannie Baker's Neighborhood!

On Thursday, March 19, another workplace raid occurred. Bay County Sheriff's Office Illegal Alien Enforcement Unit (a 287(g) group) and the Panama City ICE group conducted the raid. Workers were arrested at "Construction Enterprise Inc." located at the Waterside Apartments of Jenks Avenue construction site in Panama City, FL. Panama City is just miles down Highway 30 from Chilean Student murderer Dannie Baker's Miramar Beach, FL neighborhood. Panama City is also the Headquarters for the "League of the South", a group listed as a racist hate group by the SPLC.

No employers were arrested even though this company has had previous ICE worker violations.

Eight construction workers were arrested, 1 from Mexico and 7 from Honduras. They were all jailed at the Bay County Jail with a hold for ICE.

In a separate racial profiling incident the same day, the 287(g) Sheriff's Unit also arrested two other men who were going to a separate job site in the Bay County area. The two workers arrested were also from Honduras.

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What is sad is, this area was impacted by the hurricanes a few years ago and welcomed in these workers to rebuild their state. As noted by several local commenters, these workers worked hard through the summers, rebuilding their homes and offices. They are wondering why the local Sheriff's office and ICE didn't go after drug dealers and violent criminals instead.

References:

Ten Arrested by Illegal Alien Enforcement Unit in Bay County

Dannie Baker, Chilean Student Murderer: Indicted for Two Counts of 1st Degree Murder

Walton County Man Indicted on Murder Charges 03/18/09 - 04:26 PM
WZEP - AM1460 Walton County, Fla:
Wednesday the Walton County Grand Jury returned an indictment against Dannie Roy Baker before Circuit Judge Kelvin Wells for two counts of First Degree Premeditated Murder with a Firearm; three counts Attempted First Degree Premeditated Murder with a Firearm and one count Shooting at, into or within a Building. Count one of the Indictment was for the death of Racine Libia Balbontin Argandona, count two was for the death of Nicholas Pablo Corp Torres. The other three counts were also for Chilean nationals shot in their apartment.
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Dannie Baker remains in the Walton County Jail awaiting his plea date set for April 21. His attorney, Buddy Gissendanner, said he plans to enter a written not-guilty plea at that time.
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LATE BREAKING NEWS:
Walton County Man Faces Death Penalty if Convicted 03/19/09 - 03:50 PM
WZEP - AM1460 Walton County, Fla:
State Attorney Bill Eddins reports the State’s Attorney’s Office has decided to seek the death penalty on the two counts of First Degree Premeditated Murder. This involves the case were Dannie Roy Baker shot two and wounded three in the early morning hours as a group of Chilean nationals were gathered at a south Walton town home. The Walton Grand Jury returned indictments against Baker Wednesday.

Chilean Student Murderer Dannie Baker's LETTERS!

The rage of Dannie Baker was fueled by the rantings of Madmen like Glenn Beck. Baker should be held accountable for his crimes. We cannot let the "excuse" of insanity or mental instability allow this crime to be swept under the table. Additionally, it is time that Beck and other hate/violence instigators are held accountable for their crimes!

from BAR editor and senior columnist Margaret Kimberly:

In February 2009 two Chilean exchange students were shot to death in Florida by Dannie Baker. Baker volunteered for the Bush-Cheney campaigns in 2000 and 2004 but later sent threatening letters to local Republican officials.

Baker Letter 1:

"The Washington D.C. Dictators have already confessed to rigging elections in our States for their recruiting dictators to overthrow us with foreign illegals here, and have allowed them to kill and run for office in the States to extend their influence into our States."

Baker Letter 2:

In another email Baker complained about plans to ". . . give our homeland to foriegn states and their representatives here in America. Lets exacute them and reinstate a legal government that will do something for us." The emails were reported to local police but Baker’s threats were never investigated.

Every day right wing talk radio and television hosts give credence to their belief that they have a right to kill because they are white and angry.
The Dannie Baker and James Adkisson (Unitarian Church Murder - killing Liberals) cases are usually explained away as isolated cases of untreated mentally ill people that require no further explanation. These individuals are very sick, but they are given permission to hate and to act on their hatred. Every day right wing talk radio and television hosts give credence to their belief that they have a right to kill because they are white and angry. Adkisson specifically mentioned wanting to kill people deemed as enemies in conservative reporter Bernard Goldberg’s book, “100 People Who Are Screwing Up America.”

Glenn Beck, is a right wing talk radio MADMAN who said he wanted to kill Michael Moore and Dennis Kucinich but CNN gave him a television show anyway. After the ascendancy of Barack Obama and the Democratic party, Beck fell out of favor with CNN but was then given yet another forum for his views on Fox news where he remains unrepentant in promoting his hate speech. After a recent (March 10, 2009) shooting rampage in Alabama resulted in ten deaths, Beck said that he understood the motives of the murderer and blamed feelings of political alienation for the killings.

Chilean Students' Murderer Dannie Baker Crazed Violence inspired by Beck & Dobbs Immigration Rhetoric!

On a daily basis, Glenn Beck, Lou Dobbs and others rant and rave about "illeegals" being terrorists, outlaws or destroyers of the economy, additionally they spout their hatred of our President Barack Obama. They spew hate and anger and rage on and on and on to the point where their audiences, their submissive followers, rant and rage with them. Proof of this can be seen on youtube comment sections with their videos. While violence should NEVER occur, no one knows what an illegal alien looks like and this anger often results in rage and violence against ALL Latinos, regardless of Immigration status. This is illustrated by the FBI reported 40% increase in Hate Crimes against Latinos. This is also illustrated in the murders of Marcelo Lucero, Luis Ramirez, Jose Sucuzhanay and most recently the Chilean Students murdered by Dannie Baker in Miramar, Florida. Baker's story is finally being reported by a national media outlet, the Associated Press. In their report, they reveal the outrageous hate-talk he uttered prior to these murderers. This hate-talk can be heard every day spoken by Beck, Dobbs, AM Shock Jocks and ANTI Immigration Reform websites.

The Associated Press Reports:

Last summer, Walton County Republican officials forwarded to the sheriff's office several threatening e-mails murderer Dannie Baker sent them, riddled with misspellings and mostly focused on illegal immigrants. In an Aug. 6 e-mail, Baker wrote: "The Washington D.C. Dictators have already confessed to rigging elections in our States for their recruiting dictators to overthrow us with foreign illegals here, and have allowed them to kill and run for office in the States to extend their influence into our States."
In another e-mail, Baker claimed there is a plot to "give our homeland to foriegn states and their representatives here in America. Lets exacute them and reinstate a legal government that will do something for us."
Walton GOP head Michael Tim Norris said Baker volunteered during George W. Bush's presidential campaigns in 2000 and 2004. "He was a hard little worker. He showed up when you needed him to show up," he said.
Baker "just made people feel uncomfortable" when he returned this fall, however, and officials asked him to stop volunteering, Norris said. "He was an eccentric kind of guy. I knew he was single and lonely," Norris said.
Sheriff Mike Adkinson Jr. did not return phone calls from the Associated Press about his department's response to Baker's e-mails and other complaints filed against him through the years for trespassing, harassment and other problems.

Neighbor Crystal Lynn said he asked her, "Are you ready for the revolution?" The day of the shootings, he asked neighbor Jim Turner if he "had ever renounced God," Turner said. "He said a lot of people had and that they needed to be murdered."
Now there are questions about whether Baker's statements should have been seen as warnings rather than as the meaningless ravings of a deranged man. Buddy Gissendanner, Baker's public defender, said he would likely enter a written not guilty plea at an April 21 hearing. Gissendanner is considering all defense strategies, including Baker's mental condition, which he will not discuss. Gissendanner said he is investigating Baker's background but doesn't know much about him yet. It's unclear how Baker made a living, but a business, Perfect Hearts Ministry Inc., is registered at his home. He also filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in 2002.

Five innocent students were shot by the racist madman Dannie Baker on February 26. The bodies of the two slain Chileans he murdered have been returned home, where the shooting was national news. The parents of the wounded were brought to Florida to care for their children. Monica Suarez, whose 27-year-old son Sebastian Arizaga was wounded in the hand and shoulder, said she had spoken to the parents of the dead students. "They're very bad. Bad, bad, bad. There was nothing that would console Racine's mother. Their pain is different than mine. They lost their loved ones," she said. "One never expects your son to leave on something so beautiful (cultural exchange) and end up dead. It's something you don't understand."

Two of Dannie Baker's Victim's Caskets Arrive Home in Chile as Others Begin to Recover

Five innocent students were shot by the racist madman Dannie Baker on February 26. Today, nine days later, the bodies of the two dead, Nicolas Pablo Corp-Torres, 23, and Racine Balbontin-Aragondona, 22, will arrive home in Chile. Meanwhile, the three survivors are beginning to recover from their wounds.

According to Sacred Heart Hospital, Sebastian Arizaga is in good condition after being struck in his hand and shoulder during the shooting. "Everything is going well. The surgeons saved my hand and I'm getting better. I am with my mother and my aunt, and I have good emotional support. I am very sad about what has happened, and I know I will need ongoing emotional support from professionals and my family. My recovery will be a long process, but I am in good hands."

Francisco Cofre is in serious condition at Sacred Heart Hospital, but continues to make progress, the hospital said. His father, Mario Cofre, told a hospital spokesperson, "Francisco is improving rapidly. He is sedated, but he knows what is being said to him and he nods his head to show he understands." Francisco Cofre cannot speak because he has a breathing tube that is necessary because of swelling that occurred after a bullet struck the right edge of his face and passed through his neck. After the swelling goes down, doctors will better be able to evaluate whether or not he will need more surgery. "I am grateful for all of the prayers and well wishes that we continue to receive," Mario Cofre said. "The family is grateful to everyone at the hospital - the doctors, the nurses and hospital administration - for all they've done for Francisco and our family."

David Alonzo Bilbao Meza is in good condition. His brother told media outlets last week that he felt David could be in the hospital at least another week.

Cards and notes can be sent to hospital patients at Sacred Heart Hospital, 5151 North Ninth Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32504.

Dannie Baker remains in the Walton County Jail awaiting his plea date set for April 21. His attorney, Buddy Gissendanner, said he plans to enter a written not-guilty plea at that time.

References:

Hospitalized Chilean students improving