Billy Baker Sentenced To 55 Years In Prison For Murder SD Grad

Baker was sentenced on Tuesday in Dearborn County Court.

William "Billy" Baker. Photo by the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office. 

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – A Dillsboro man has received a lengthy prison sentence for the murder of an 18 year old South Dearborn High School graduate. 

William “Billy” Baker, 48, was sentenced on Tuesday in Dearborn County Court to 55 years behind bars for the shooting death of Paycin Kritlow during a graduation party at a home on Prosperity Ridge Road on July 19, 2020. 

Baker's sentencing comes after pleading guilty to Murder in June of this year. 

"There's no adequate sentence for this senseless killing," said Prosecutor Lynn Deddens. "The legislature has set up an advisory sentence for murder of 55 years. I can think of no one more deserving than William Baker. What should have been a day of celebration because of graduating from high school, is now a devastating memory to Paycin's family and friends." 

The sentence for murder is typically between 45 and 65 years. Because of Baker's limited criminal history, the defense was pushing for 45 years - but after a day and a half of evidence the advisory sentence of 55 years was decided on. 

According to court documents, Baker told investigators at the time of his arrest that a teenage family member told him she had been raped and that the person who did it was at the party. Baker proceeded to his house, retrieved a .30-06 rifle, and went to he shed, which was lit – so he could see through the scope.

A shot was fired, striking Kritlow.

Police interviewed the teen who Baker believed had been raped. The teen told police that at no time did she say she had been sexually assaulted and was unaware of any other person present at the party who made any such statements.

Baker gave a video confession to investigators the day after the incident, and made some "pretty damning statements" according to Prosecutor Deddens. 

He is credited with 614 days of time served. 

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