Baker ordered to drug rehab facility by Judge Crow

A motion to revoke attorney Baker's bond was filed Nov. 18 after Baker discharged herself from La Paloma, a residential drug treatment facility in Tennessee.

Baker was arraigned in circuit court Monday on charges of two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, (methamphetamine); conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, with enhancement due to proximity to certain facilities.

In making his ruling Monday, Circuit Judge Kent Crow indicated that conditions of Baker's bond set by Western District Judge Marianne McBeth were not as explicit, and ordered that Baker not only enter a treatment facility, but complete its program as well.

Baker is currently at Quapaw House, a treatment center for women in Hot Springs.

A condition of her bond reduction, set earlier, from $100,000 to $50,000 was that she check herself into a drug rehabilitation facility, which she did when she was admitted to La Paloma.

In response, her attorney, Jeff Rosenzweig, challenged the motion -- and filed his own motions seeking to disqualify Prosecuting Attorney Tony Rogers and his entire office, and for the recusal of Judge Crow.

According to court documents, Prosecuting Attorney Rogers was notified by Rosenzweig on Nov. 16 that Baker had discharged herself and was returning to Berryville for a short time to check in with her law practice before heading to Hot Springs for admittance to Quapaw House.

Documents filed by Rogers two days later claimed there was no documentation that she arrived at Quapaw.

Rosenzweig countered with an explanation of events regarding Baker's stop in Berryville to take care of client business before she headed to the Hot Springs facility, and the lack of documentation, saying the letter Roger's office was waiting for had been sitting on a secretary's desk in Memphis and he had no control over that facility's actions.

He asked that the motion to revoke the bond be denied, and filed his own motions.

When requesting Rogers and his staff be disqualified and a special prosecutor appointed, Rosenzweig cited several reasons, including the fact both were political opponents, having run against each other for the office in 2006.

When requesting recusal of Judge Crow, Rosenzweig said Crow is scheduled to be a witness against her in a hearing before the Committee on Professional Conduct that is scheduled in February as a result of his complaint against her in an unrelated matter.

Rosenzweig went on to claim Crow has demonstrated a "personal bias and antagonism against Baker" because of his history with her.

In a jury trial Monday, the jury found Carl Bloch, 43, of Eureka Springs guilty of passing a school bus, first offense, and he was fined $250, a reduction of his $270 fine, plus $80 in costs and fees, assessed in Western District Court.

Other arraignments taking place Monday included:

* Evin Lee Davis, 24, of Berryville, and Meliss Irene Davis, 27, of Mission, Texas -- Evin Davis is charged with capital murder, while Meliss Davis is charged with accomplice to capital murder and two counts of hindering apprehension. They are charged in connection with the late-September to early-October shooting death of Christopher Helmlinger, whose body was found on Oct. 18 behind Glen Echo Trailer Park on Hailey Road in Berryville. Until that time, Helmlinger had not been seen since Sept. 28.

* Curtis Steven Brooks, 46, of Blanchard, Okla., and Carroll County -- Possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on Oct. 25 on U.S. Hwy. 62 near County Road 706 after law enforcement saw him swerving on the highway.

* Avery Joe Hale, age and hometown unknown -- First-degree criminal mischief. He was arrested on Oct. 23.

* Paul Kurt J. Ashbaugh, 30, of Berryville -- Fraudulent use of a credit card. He allegedly used a credit card belonging to Good Shepherd Humane Society at a Berryville drug store to make $540.81 in purchases.

* Gary James Hargus, 41, of Berryville -- Second-offense possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while intoxicated, driving on a suspended license, and speeding. Hargus was arrested on Oct. 31 on U.S. Hwy. 62 near Midway, having been clocked going 79 mile per hour in a 55 mph zone.

* Brendon Otis McConnell, 22, of Green Forest --First-degree criminal mischief and aggravated assault. He was arrested on Nov.. 8 in connection with an incident on County Road 6151 during which he pointed a handgun and tow people.

* Jessica Dian Kennedy, 25, of Green Forest -- Terroristic threatening. She allegedly threatened a woman who had allegedly been dating her former boyfriend.

* Nariciso Chun Vasquez, 45, of Green Forest -- Possession of methamphetamine, two counts of second-degree battery, driving while intoxicated, driving left of center, and no driver's license. He was arrested on Oct. 25 after he crashed his vehicle east of Green Forest and $1,144.49 was found on him. A hold on him by Immigration and Customs Enforcement is pending court proceedings.