New Albany man gets 55 years for wife’s murder

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Christopher Baxter, 54, of New Albany, is escorted to Floyd County Superior Court No. 3 by a Floyd County Sheriff’s Department officer on Wednesday. Baxter is accused of the 1990 murder of his wife, Robin Baxter, 32 at the time. Staff photo by Jerod Clapp

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August 31, 2012

New Albany man gets 55 years for wife’s murder

Christopher Baxter, 54, convicted of killing Robin Baxter in 1990

By CHRIS MORRIS chris.morris@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Fri Aug 31, 2012, 03:48 PM EDT

NEW ALBANY — Christopher Baxter, who was convicted July 13 of killing his wife Robin in 1990 and throwing her body into the Ohio River, was sentenced to 55 years in prison by Floyd County Superior Court No. 3 Judge Maria Granger Friday afternoon.

Baxter, 54, was arrested for the crime in February 2012 after an informant told police Baxter confessed to the murder.

Baxter was initially questioned by police twice after Robin Baxter’s body was pulled from the river June 23, 1990, four days after she went missing. He told police the two had argued and that he had passed out at their home in the 1800 block of Troy Street in New Albany. When he woke up, Robin was missing, he said.

However, the medical examiner said Robin Baxter, 32, died from several blows to the head and her body was then dumped into the river, a point that was emphatically made by Floyd County Prosecutor Keith Henderson during Friday’s sentencing. Henderson said she was hit by a metal pole several times and that there was no evidence to suggest Baxter should receive anything less than what the murder conviction calls for — 45 to 65 years in prison.

“This victim was found with a crushed skull. She received several blows to her head by this man who was found guilty of this crime,” he said. “She was not only beat to death, but her body was drug from her home and dumped into the Ohio River.”

Baxter’s attorney, William Gray, said the his client has maintained his innocence and “believes on appeal he will get a chance to present that innocence.”

Baxter’s mother, Carol Hardesty, told the court that “he didn’t do it” prior to Granger handing down the sentence. Two other character witnesses who testified also believe he is innocent and not capable to such a heinous act.

“He is a wonderful person,” said Monica Meeks. “I’ve never seen him get mad. I can’t believe he would hurt anyone.”

However, Spring Lance, who said she was Robin Baxter’s best friend, said Robin had been abused several times by Baxter.

“I knew from day one that he did something to her,” she said. “I had no doubt. He scared me.”

During the trial, friends of the couple described to police a volatile relationship. Baxter was described as being controlling and sometimes violent with his wife.

New owners of the Troy Street home later found a lead pipe, glove and tissue inside the wall after accidentally knocking a hole in it while moving furniture. Henderson said the pipe was used as the murder weapon.

Following testimony Friday and after a short recess, Granger delivered the sentence. She said not only did Baxter take a life, his wife’s, in a brutal way, but that he had shown disregard for authority during his life. From the time he was 16 until 2002, he had been arrested 13 times for misdemeanors, many involving alcohol.

Baxter will get credit for time served, but his earliest release date is 2039.