Donte Akee Baker was 24 and a Los Angeles resident when he was killed on December 21, 2002. Local authorities treated his death as a violent crime; the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner documented the injuries he sustained and that documentation figured in later court work.

Investigators identified multiple suspects and several arrests followed. One key suspect was tried on a first-degree murder charge; the trial ended in a conviction and a lengthy prison sentence. Family members also pursued civil litigation seeking damages related to Baker’s death.

The case involved extensive forensic and witness evidence presented at trial.