Odessan Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter: Judge Sentences Baxter to 15 Years in Prison
Posted on: Thursday, 22 December 2005, 15:00 CST
By Jay Gorania, Odessa American, Texas, Odessa American, Texas
Dec. 22--Odessan Richard Lee Baxter was sentenced to 15 years in prison Wednesday for his role in the September death of a 45-year-old Odessa woman found in the trunk of a car near the Ector County Coliseum.
Baxter pleaded guilty in Judge Bill McCoy's courtroom Wednesday to the manslaughter of Gena Louise Gordon.
Baxter initially faced murder charges, however once the District Attorney's office "got the case and thoroughly examined it, it became more obvious that this was a case of manslaughter," District Attorney John Smith said.
In his plea agreement, Baxter, 47, agreed not to appeal the case, Baxter's attorney David Zavoda said.
Zavoda said Baxter and Gordon were doing drugs in an Odessa motel room when they heard noises coming from the next room.
The pair assumed the authorities were making the noises while attempting to break through the wall.
Both Zavoda and Smith agreed that Gordon was attempting to consume a bag of drugs, though Smith said it contained marijuana while Zavoda said it contained a white substance.
After Gordon began to choke on the bag, Baxter covered her mouth to prevent her from being heard. Following a brief struggle, they fell to the ground.
After Baxter determined Gordon was dead, he hid her body in the trunk of a car in the 4400 block of Coliseum Road before ultimately reporting the vehicle and himself to the authorities.
"He feels badly about her death. The drugs just lead to stupid decisions," Zavoda said, emphasizing that Baxter is remorseful for what happened.
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Copyright (c) 2005, Odessa American, Texas
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Source: Odessa American
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