Johnnie Baker
A Salesville man sent to prison for killing a person he described as his best friend was released on parole Friday.
Fifty-six-year-old Johnnie Carl Baker was sentenced to 14 years in prison in mid-December 2013 after entering a guilty plea to a reduced charge of manslaughter. He had originally been charged with second degree murder.
Baker received 10 years on the manslaughter charge and an additional four years for committing a felony with a firearm.
Former 14th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Ron Kincade told the court at the time Baker pled guilty, that evidence developed during the investigation, showed the lesser charge of manslaughter more nearly fit the circumstances.
Baker has been considered for parole several times. He was close to be approved last year, but according to Arkansas Parole Board records, a favorable decision was rescinded based on his refusal to submit to a drug screening.
The shooting incident was initially reported to Baxter County 911 in November 2012 when a female caller reported a man had been shot accidentally at a residence along Major Street in Norfork.
Baker was developed as the prime subject in the shooting. He told officers a number of conflicting stories about the incident.
The basis contention in all of the stories was that the shooting had been accidental.
Baker told officers at one point he tossed a soda bottle at then 65-year-old Dennis Franklin Chapman and told him he was going to shoot the bottle out of his hand. Baker described Chapman as his best friend.
In another version, Baker told investigators his gun discharged, and he did not recall having his finger on the trigger.
According to investigative reports, Chapman was shot in the face with a 30/30-lever action rifle. The weapon must be manually manipulated for it to fire.
Baker also said he had been cleaning his gun with his shirt when it discharged.
On several occasions, Baker said he had no intention of killing his friend and did not know exactly how the gun went off.
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