Zahra's father angered by comments implicating him in case

LENOIR, N.C.,None — As Adam Baker, Zahra Baker's father, left court on Thursday, he expressed serious frustration.

His wife, Elisa Baker, pleaded guilty two months ago to second-degree murder in the death of 10-year-old Zahra. But she still says Adam Baker was involved.

Adam Baker learned Thursday that he may be indicted as early as next week on several misdemeanor charges ranging from communicating threats to worthless checks. The charges are not related to Zahra’s murder.

His attorney said Baker was ready to go to trial Thursday, but the cases were postponed with the looming indictments.

“We were ready to go,” Shell Pearce said.Baker said he wants to return to his native Australia, but that may not happen for some time after the postponement.“It would be great to get it over with,” Baker said.

Baker said he’s angry about his wife's comments to the Charlotte Observer that he was somehow involved in getting rid of his daughter, Zahra, after her death. The comments were made from jail after she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

“An innocent person doesn't take a guilty plea for stuff like that,” Adam Baker said.During that plea, police testified that there was no evidence linking Adam Baker to his daughter's death, which is something he reiterated Thursday.

“We want to make it clear -- you had no involvement in Zahra's death?” Channel 9 asked.

“I think that was proven in the courtroom,” Adam Baker said.

If convicted of all the charges against him, Adam Baker’s attorney said the most his client could face is 120 days for each count.

Baker still has other charges in Catawba County unrelated to his daughter's death that he must deal with next week.

WSOC