Former York police officer accused of killing wife, staging crash, to stay in jail

CHESTER, S.C. — For the second time, a former York police officer accused of killing his wife,  is trying to get out of jail.

James Baldwin is charged in the 2016 murder of Judy Orr in Chester County.

On Thursday, more than 70 people sat in a Chester courtroom, to support Orr's family.

Orr died Dec.14, 2016, in what first appeared to be a car accident on Old Richburg Road outside Chester. When state troopers arrived on the scene, Orr's husband, Baldwin, was kneeling on the ground, yelling to officers "Save my wife!"  "Save my wife!"

She was found on her back in a creek, the wrecked car nearby down an embankment. Orr was already dead, and investigators didn't think it looked like a car accident, or any accident.

Deputy Solicitor Candice Lively spoke in court about the bizarre scene.

"We had highway patrol that determined this was actually not a car accident, which led to a very suspicious ruling on their behalf as to what happened," she said.

Prosecutors believe Baldwin beat his wife to death at their Chester home, then made up a story that she fell from a ladder while hanging Christmas decorations. He said he had to rush her to the hospital.

That's when Baldwin told troopers he had wrecked the car. The coroner found she died from blunt force trauma to the head, and those injuries were not consistent with the accident scene.

More than 18 months later, Baldwin was indicted for murder by a grand jury. He was denied bond during a court appearance last October. On that day, Orr's two sons spoke, urging the judge to keep him locked up. They did the same on Thursday.

"I know without question this man before you is responsible for my mother's death," said Josh Orr.

"He's hurt people his entire life," said Chris orr.

Family members said they feared for their safety if Baldwin was out of jail on bond.

(Judy Orr)

Baldwin's daughter Jessica Moss, told the judge her father wouldn't hurt anyone, and he had a place to stay if he was released.  Several friends of Baldwin said that he was not a flight risk, and was never violent toward anyone.

The judge denied bond for Baldwin, but did urge both the prosecutors and defense to prepare the case for trial before the end of the year.  Baldwin has been in jail since his arrest last August.

During his appearance in October, another judge ordered a mental evaluation, because Baldwin had been in an accident since his wife's death.  There was a question of a possible brain injury from that accident.

On thursday test results were revealed, showing that baldwin was not injured, and was found competent to stand trial.

Cox Media Group