Judge orders maximum sentence to accessory in Rice County fatal shootings

The son of a slain Rice County man told a woman being sentenced in the case that he forgave her before the judge sentenced her to the maximum 60 days in jail.

On Wednesday, District Judge Mike Keeley told Erin Baker that she had some responsibility for the April 29 shooting that left the sheriff and undersheriff wounded, and Thomas “Tom” Madden fatally shot by his own son, David Madden, who then killed himself. Baker drove the car when the shooting first started and took David to his house for guns and ammunition before they headed out to his family farm — where he killed his father. Baker’s 7-year-old was in the backseat.

Rice County Attorney Remington Dalke filed a motion asking for Baker to serve her underlying prison sentence of 16 months. Keeley denied that motion.

“I felt it was my responsibility as the county attorney just knowing the interest the community had and how it affected the community,” Dalke said. “I felt it was something that was incumbent upon me so the community knows I was fighting for what I thought was right.”

Six people spoke during court about how the crime impacted them, Dalke said. Tom Madden’s other son, also named Thomas Madden, spoke alongside his wife. The court also heard from Tom’s sisters, daughter and Angela Evans — the wife of Sheriff Bryant Evans.

Dalke said Baker was ordered to 60 days in jail that was furloughed until noon on Thursday. After the jail sentence, she will start her 18 months of probation for obstruction apprehension or prosecution and aggravated child endangerment.

Terms of the probation also require that Baker have no contact with people on probation or the Madden family and their property. Officers previously found “DAVID LEE MADDEN” with a heart below it, then “MY HERO” spray painted and carved into the road near the home where the killing occurred.

The probation also requires Baker to undergo a mental health and drug and alcohol evaluation and follow the recommended outcomes.

This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 5:59 PM.