The defense for a homeless man accused of strangling a psychiatrist in a hotel near the Gayborhood is still working on completing evidence discovery with the commonwealth.
Public defender Francis Carmen told a Philadelphia County judge at a pretrial conference June 2 that he was awaiting video evidence, crime scene paperwork and DNA.
He added he and Assistant District Attorney Joanne Pescatore have talked openly about the case since its inception. He anticipated not needing more than 30 days to complete discovery.
The next court date is set for July 7.
Manuel Baez, 27, faces charges of criminal homicide, robbery and related offenses. He was denied bail and is being held in the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.
Baez was arrested in connection with the Dec. 21 death of Dr. Howard Baker, 75, of Lower Merion Township.
According to authorities, Baker was staying at Rodeway Inn at 12th and Walnut streets, a couple blocks from his psychiatric practice in the 1400 block of Walnut Street. A housekeeper at the hotel discovered Baker’s body. He was naked on the floor with a belt wrapped tightly around his neck.
Investigating officers determined two males visited Baker’s room separately the evening before his body was discovered. The second was seen leaving the room just after midnight with Baker’s wallet and backpack. Authorities contend this person was Baez.