UPDATE: Three arrested in Jeffersonville murder case

JEFFERSONVILLE — Two people have been arrested for murder and a third for assisting a criminal in connection with the fatal shooting of 46-year-old Anthony Redd.

Katrina Kay Baker, 25, and her uncle, Joseph W. Mayes, 47, are being held in the Michael L. Becher Adult Corrections Complex preliminarily charged with murder and robbery. James Y. Lawson, 27, of Jeffersonville, was booked in on charges of class D felonies obstruction of justice and assisting a criminal, but he posted bond before his first court hearing.

Baker and Lawson were arrested Monday night, and Mayes was arrested Tuesday by the SWAT team at a hotel in Clarksville where he has been staying off and on the last week. Jeffersonville Police Department Detective Todd Hollis said Mayes surrendered and was apprehended without incident.

Baker and Mayes appeared separately Tuesday for advisement-of-rights hearings in Clark County Circuit Court. Baker wept during the hearing and covered her face until Judge Dan Moore instructed her to lower her hands. Mayes showed little emotion when called before the judge.

Christopher 2X, Redd’s cousin who is also a community activist, said his family has been close with Baker’s family for many years. He said he has known Baker since she was young, and he wanted to make it clear that they are not pointing fingers at her parents.

2X praised the police for their work in the investigation and said they will let the judicial process play out.

“What we don’t need is an atmosphere of vengeance,” 2X said.

Redd’s wife, Lisa Marie Bass, broke down after the hearing.

“I feel empty,” she said. “I’ve been robbed of a part of my life.”

Redd’s daughter, Laken Brown, said she was upset to learn one of the suspects is someone she has known many years.

“I’m just glad the family finally gets closure,” she said.

Baker’s father, Winston Baker, said all they know is what they have been told by detectives. He said he hopes is daughter was not involved in the homicide.

Redd was found Saturday evening in his pickup truck in the 1400 block of Mitchell Avenue in Jeffersonville. It was later confirmed he died from four gunshot wounds from the head.

Prior to the hearing, Hollis testified before the judge to establish probable cause for holding Baker and Lawson on murder charges.

Hollis testified that a passerby called police shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday to report seeing a man with injuries slumped over the wheel of a black Chevy pickup truck behind a vacant building in the 1400 block of Mitchell Avenue.

Hollis said a witness contacted police the next day and said Redd would often meet up with a woman named “Katrina” or “Bug” in the location where the truck was found. The witness claimed the two had a relationship where Redd would provide her illegal prescription pills.

Police obtained phone records for Redd and found his last two calls were to a residence at 213 Kopp Ave. where Baker lives. Officers executed a search warrant at the residence and found Baker, Lawson and a third person who has not been charged. Police say seven adults plus multiple children live at the residence.

According to Hollis, Lawson told detectives he was not involved in the shooting but said he overheard a conversation between Baker and Mayes about robbing Redd. Lawson claimed the two intended to rob Redd of 90 pills and $2,000 in cash.

Detectives then spoke to Baker, who claimed Mayes had asked her “what he could get out of Redd.”

Baker said she met Redd at his pickup truck and engaged in oral sex with him. At that time, Mayes approached the vehicle and asked for pills. According to Hollis, Redd said he did not have any pills and Mayes opened fire shooting Redd multiple times.

It is unclear what caused the situation to escalate so quickly, but witnesses reportedly noted that Baker and Mayes were both heavily intoxicated with drugs the night of the shooting. Baker also said she had warned Mayes that Redd is known to carry a firearm.

Hollis said at a press conference that the “robbery seemed to be premeditated,” and they believe Baker was involved in “setting up Mr. Redd to be there at that location at that time.”

The last call to Redd’s phone was placed at 11 p.m. Friday night, and detectives believe he was killed within an hour after that phone call.

Redd’s cell phone, wallet and possibly cash were missing from the truck indicating he was robbed after the shooting. His pants were unzipped and had been pulled down.

Officers did not locate any drugs or a firearm inside the truck. They are investigating to determine whether Redd is missing a firearm and whether he may have had one the night of the shooting.

Lawson, the father of one of Baker’s children, is accused of helping destroy evidence by washing Baker’s clothes after the shooting.

Shalea Colbath, Baker’s first cousin, said she has not had the chance to speak to Baker since the shooting. She said Baker has been addicted to Opana for a long time.

“She needs to help. I hope they get her help,” Colbath said. “It’s terrible for both sides of the family.”

Clark County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Jeremy Mull was unhappy that Lawson was released on bond without first seeing a judge. Clark County has a policy in which people arrested for misdemeanors and low-level felonies can be released prior to a court hearing.

“I do not approve of bond being posted in this situation,” he said.

Mull said he has asked for the policy to be changed because some class D felony offenses are more serious than others.

Prosecutors expect to file charges against all three suspects Thursday. Mayes and Baker, who each face 45 to 65 years in prison if convicted, are scheduled to appear in court for initial hearings Thursday.

Mayes has prior cases in Clark County for armed robbery, battery and cocaine dealing. Baker has prior convictions for drug possession.

Redd, who lived on West Maple Street and worked as a welder in New Albany for 16 years, has only limited involvement with the judicial system.

He was arrested in June for allegedly shooting a 19-year-old who he saw breaking into his vehicle. The teenager was shot in the leg and had non-life threatening injuries. Redd was arrested for felony criminal recklessness but was only charged with a misdemeanor. Family and police say that case is unrelated to the homicide.

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