Matt Baker Kerrville Texas

Jury now deciding who gets custody of Matt Baker's daughters

No decision will be made Thursday in the hearing over who should have custody of Matt Baker's two daughters.

He's the former central Texas pastor convicted of killing his wife, Kari.

Closing arguments took place Thursday in the 198th District Court in Kerrville.

The lawyer for Kari's parents, Jim and Linda Dulin, asked the jury to follow the recommendation of Dr. Joann Murphey, a psychologist who spoke with the Dulins, the Bakers, and the girls, recommending the girls live with the Dulins.

He again accused the Baker's of alienating the girls from the Dulin family, and of brainwashing the girls, which he called emotional abuse.

About the Dulins, he said, "All they wanted to do was find out the truth about what happened to their daughter," and not hurt their granddaughters.

Next the lawyer for Matt Baker spoke.

She asked the jury to allow Matt to continue to play a role in the girl's lives.

She argued the Dulins immediately went after Matt, and tried to frame him as the bad guy in the eyes of their granddaughters.

She also said the Dulin's didn't care about the girls feelings, evident by the "Justice for Kari" and "Love Triumphs Evil" bumper stickers on their car.

About the Bakers, she called them wonderful parents, and said about Matt, "Maybe if we trust the judicial system Matt might be exonerated and come back.  I hope so because [the girls] love him."

Next the lawyer for Barbara and Oscar Baker spoke.

He said this is not a contest between Barbara and Linda, it's not a contest between Matt and Linda, it's about what's in the best interest of the Baker girls.

He said the Dulin's entire case is not about the girls, but rather continuing their fight for "justice for Kari."

He also pointed out how Barbara would read letters from the Dulin's to the girls because the girls refused too, saying Barbara actually works to keep the Dulins in the girl's lives.

Then he asked the jury to remember that the girls are just that, girls, and they can't be expected to think like adults.

He said they will come to different conclusions about their mother's death and father's conviction as they grow older, but it's harmful now for the Dulins to try and force the girls to change how they think.

He also touched on the allegations made by former foster children of sexual abuse against Oscar, saying not one offered any proof, and calling the girls who accused him not credible.

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Amazing that FATHERS RIGHTS would even be a question in keeping custody of Children after Murder Conviction of killing the children's Mother - but it is. You can thank all the Fatherhood Funding and programs and Father exaltation for this.Apparently we as a society believe in fathers so much that prison daddy's (Thanks Eric Holder) even mommy murderers-- that children some how NEED their Father. (or FATHERS/KILLERS family - more than their mothers) even mothers family.

A court-appointed adviser who conducted home studies on both the Baker and Dulin homes had recommended that the Dulins be awarded custody for several reasons, including the "unhealthy emotional environment" she says exists in the Baker home. The adviser, Stephanie Trulson, said Matt Baker and his parents continue to blame the Dulins for Matt Baker's incarceration.

Testimony during the nine-day trial focused on allegations by two women that Oscar Baker had molested them decades ago when they were foster children of the Bakers. Baker denied the allegations. Another focus was the Bakers' insistence of the innocence of their son and the Dulins' campaign for his prosecution and conviction. The Dulins argued that the Bakers had brainwashed the children into believing that their maternal grandparents were evil and were persecuting their father.

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