A jury trial opened Tuesday for a man who allegedly killed a friend haggling over prices in a drug deal.
Michael Baker, 25, of Merrillville, was charged Dec. 7 with two counts of murder and one count of attempted dealing in a schedule II controlled substance in the Jan. 21, 2023 shooting death of Demetri Russell, 29.
He is also facing two firearms enhancements, which would add more time to a sentence if convicted. Baker has pleaded not guilty.
Court records allege Baker was selling Codeine and Promethazine.
Edwon Bush previously testified that he and Baker a.k.a. “Money Mike” were driving around Gary, while Baker was selling drugs. They stopped by the 500 block of Chase Street were Russell, there with a different man, wanted some “lean,” court filings show. Russell, Baker and Bush went to another house, before returning. Bush stayed in the car, saw Russell in an open doorway, before he heard a couple of shots.
Inside, they argued over a price, before Russell punched Baker in the face twice. Baker took out a gun then shot him twice with a .45-caliber Glock and fled. Baker was selling “4 lines” for $80 and Russell wanted to pay $60, according to the affidavit.
Police found a spent bullet casing in the basement apartment commons. Security footage showed Russell walking up to the building and Baker fleeing. Cell phone records appear to show both men in the same place when the shooting happened.
The case is before Judge Gina Jones. Deputy Prosecutors Judith Massa and John Holmen are assigned.
Baker’s defense lawyer Russell Brown wrote in court filings he believed there were several holes in the case.
Demetri Russell told an off-duty detective working security at Methodist that “My friend Mike” shot him. One of the case’s detectives testified the other officer never told him that, Brown wrote in court filings.
The lawyer added that Edwon Bush couldn’t have seen anything from his vantage point and was motivated to get a break in his federal gun case.
Bush said on the stand Wednesday he couldn’t know what would happen with his federal case when he signed an agreement to testify.