Trial is underway in Oakland County for a Pontiac man accused of shooting to death a Waterford Township man last year.
A jury was seated late afternoon Monday in the case against Christian Harris, 18, charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and felony firearm in connection with the slaying of Armani Terrell Baker, 22, on April 29, 2023. The shooting was reported shortly after 12:30 a.m. that day, and Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies responding to the scene found Baker’s body in the front seat of a car with the doors open, on Hammond Street near Nelson Street in Pontiac. He’d been shot multiple times.
Harris was 17 years old at the time of the slaying and charged as an adult. He’s been out of custody since July 23 when a $50,000 bond was posted.
The trial is being held before Oakland County Circuit Judge Daniel O’Brien.
Two other teens were charged for related offenses in connection with the homicide. Jeremiah Rodriguez recently made a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to an added count of accessory after the fact. Charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony were dismissed. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 13. The other defendant, Sander Hawkins, was charged as a juvenile with accessory after the fact to murder.