Date: 09-27-1974

Case Style:

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Edward Baker

Case Number: 74-02-0022/0025

Judge: Edward J. Blake

Court: Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

Plaintiff's Attorney: Robert B. Lawler and Ann Lebowitz

Defendant's Attorney: Paul T. Sosnowski

Description: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Defendant was charged with murder.

Edward Baker, a 17-year-old African American was accused to participating the the murder of Steven Gibbons.

According the the Superior Court of Pennsylvania:

"On December 20, 1973, Steven Gibbons was found dead in his home. The house had been thoroughly ransacked. The body of the deceased was bound and gagged with paper stuffed in the mouth and an ice pick plunged downward into the nape of the neck. A physician from the office of the medical examiner testified for the Commonwealth that death resulted from the stabbing, strangulation and a severe beating which had been inflicted on [371 Pa.Super. 591] the victim. The victim was approximately 80 years old at the time of death.

Donahue Wise, who plead guilty to murder after being charged with this homicide, was the Commonwealth's primary witness at appellant's trial. He testified that on the night of the crime he had been in a bar drinking with the victim Steven Gibbons. Three men, including appellant, came into the bar. One of the men voiced a threat against Gibbons because Gibbons had refused to buy him a drink.

Wise testified that he went home to go to bed. The three others, including appellant, came to his house and asked him if he wanted to make some money by committing a robbery. Wise agreed and the four eventually proceeded to the home of the victim. En route, one of the four obtained an ice pick and a hammer for use in the crime. When they reached Gibbons' home appellant broke the glass on the front door and the men entered. A coat was thrown over the victim's head and the house was searched for money and valuables.

Wise testified that as he returned from searching the upstairs he saw one of his co-felons stab the victim with the ice pick. He testified that appellant was going through the victim's trouser pockets. The four men met later to divide what they had taken from the victim and his home."


Baker was arrested and "confessed" but claimed that he was beaten by police, and was told that if he confessed he would allowed to go home.

Donahue Wise testified that against Baker at trial pursuant to a deal with District Attorney's Office that he would only serve three years in prison for his role in the murder. (Wise was lying.)

Baker pleaded not guilty and claimed that he was at a wake in a different part of the city at the time of the crime.

Baker's attorney did not challenged Wise's account of the crime or call character or alibi witnesses.



There was not physical evidence that Baker was involved in the commission of the crime.

Key word: Exonerations

Outcome: Defendant found guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.

Baker's conviction was affirmed on appeal and his petition for post-conviction were not successful.

Centurion Ministries eventually accepted Baker’s case and was able to convince Wise to officially recant in 1996.

In September of 1997, the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas granted Baker's motion for a new trial.

Twelve witnessed were found who confirmed Baker's alibi.

Baker refused to accept a plea bargain offered to him, but he refused.

Baker was released from prision on February 11, 2002, when the Commonwealth dismissed the charged against him.

Baker was imprisoned for 28 years for a crime he did not commit.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: Baker was convicted because of perjured testimony.
The phenomenon of false confessions, where individuals admit to crimes they haven't committed, is surprisingly complex and has numerous contributing factors. Here are some key reasons why someone might confess to a crime they're innocent of:
Overpowering Influences:
Intensified Interrogation: Police interrogation tactics, while generally legal, can be stressful and manipulative. Extended duration, isolation, and relentless questioning can wear down someone's resistance, leading them to say anything to make the situation stop.
False Promises of Leniency: Some confess hoping for a lighter sentence or quicker release, particularly when pressured by promises of leniency if they cooperate.
Misinterpretation of Evidence: When presented with evidence that they vaguely recall or doesn't fit their clear memory, individuals may doubt themselves and misinterpret it as proof of their guilt, leading to a false confession.
Internal Pressures:
Internalization of Guilt: In stressful situations, especially if wrongfully accused, people may start to internalize the suspicion and doubt, convincing themselves of their guilt, even if fabricated.
Pressure to Conform: When subjected to repeated accusations or pressured by authority figures, some individuals, especially those with low self-esteem or vulnerability, may confess to gain approval or avoid further conflict.
Mental Health Factors: Individuals with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD can be more susceptible to interrogation tactics and internal pressures, increasing the risk of false confessions.
Cognitive Factors:
Memory Errors: Human memory is fallible, and the stress of an interrogation can distort or fabricate memories. This can lead individuals to confabulate details or believe false memories implanted by questioning.
Suggestibility: People, especially those inexperienced with legal situations, can be easily influenced by suggestive questioning or leading statements, incorporating them into their narrative even if inaccurate.
Intellectual Deficits: Individuals with cognitive impairments or learning disabilities may struggle to understand complex legal proceedings or interrogation techniques, making them more vulnerable to manipulation and false confessions.