KERRVILLE — Jury selection began Tuesday in the custody case for the children of former minister Matt Baker, convicted of drugging his wife with sleeping pills, smothering her to death and faking her suicide note so he could be with his mistress.

Linda and Jim Dulin, seen walking out of the 19th District Court in January 2010 after Matt Baker was found guilty of killing their daughter Kari, are in Kerrville fighting for custody of their granddaughters.
Rod Aydelotte / Waco Tribune-Herald

Baker, convicted of murder in the 2006 death of Kari Baker in their Hewitt home while his two daughters slept down the hall, is serving a 65-year sentence.

Although he gave his parents, Oscar and Barbara Baker, of Kerrville, custody of his girls before he went to prison last year, the children’s maternal grandparents are contesting it.

Jim and Linda Dulin, of Woodway, parents of Kari Baker, filed suit to gain sole custody of their granddaughters from Baker’s parents.

Kari Baker’s death initially was ruled a suicide until the Dulins pushed to reopen the case.

The children, Kensi, 15, and Grace, 10, have lived with the elder Bakers, their paternal grandparents, since their father’s January 2010 sentencing.

Stephanie R. Trulson, a court-appointed adviser who conducted home studies on both the Baker and Dulin homes, has recommended that the Dulins be awarded custody for several reasons, including the “unhealthy emotional environment” she said exists in the Baker home, according to a report she gave the judge in this case.

RELATED SEARCHES

• Allegations of sexual abuse surface in Matt Baker custody trial
• Grandparents of girls testify in Matt Baker custody trial