Motel closing postpones hearing
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- Published on Wednesday, 23 January 2013 11:27
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A preliminary hearing that was scheduled Jan. 15 in Westmoreland County General District Court for William Baker, charged with the brutal fatal stabbing of Elizabeth “Neicey” Thompson at the Beach Gate Inn in Colonial Beach, had to be postponed because of the forced closing of the troubled motel by authorities.
Westmoreland County Commonwealth’s Attorney Julia Sichol said the preliminary hearing was continued because four key witnesses who were staying at the motel at the time of the Oct.3, 2012 slaying were evicted when the motel was closed by authorities and as of the court date last week the witnesses had not been served subpoenas to testify in the case.
Westmoreland County sheriff’s officers are looking for the witnesses to serve them with notices to appear at a new probable cause proceeding now scheduled for Feb. 12th. Baker, 49, a resident of Indian Head, MD, is being held at the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw without bond.
The charges against Baker include first degree murder and breaking and entering with intent to murder. Authorities said Baker had a past relationship with Thompson. The Maryland man showed up at the Colonial Beach motel and forced his way into Thompson’s room. Thompson was stabbed repeatedly and died before the Colonial Beach Rescue Squad could arrive at the motel to assist her.
Baker was the object of a wide search by police, sheriff’s deputies and state police after he fled the scene of the crime following the murder. He was arrested in Colonial Beach about five hours later and charged with the slaying.
Richard Leggitt
