Cookeville, Texas

From the Longview News-JournalPublication of August 8, 2005

Ex-husband shot as he tries to break through door

A 41-year-old man was shot to death early Sunday morning when he tried to break into the house where his ex-wife was staying with another man.

Chief Deputy Miguel Larsen of the Titus County Sheriff's Office said officers found William Joe Baker lying on the front porch of Marty Crocker's residence on County Road 3435.

According to a news release, Baker went to Crocker's home seeking his ex-wife, Anita Baker, 41. Crocker called the police, saying that William Baker was hitting the door and threatening to kill them.

Larsen did not know the relationship between Crocker and Anita Baker. She and William Baker had been divorced almost a year, he said.

While deputies were en route to the scene, Larsen said the emergency call was disconnected. Crocker called back moments later and told the dispatcher he had fired his semi-automatic rifle multiple times through the door, hitting Baker in the head.

"We don't have an exact number" of shots, Larsen said. Baker's body has been sent to Dallas for an autopsy. Crocker was not taken into custody, Larsen added.

"My understanding is the investigators conferred with the district attorney, and the decision was made at that time not to take him into custody," he said.

According to the release, the District Attorney's office will review the case once the investigation is completed.