death penalty news
August 5, 2004
TEXAS:
Death penalty sought in Higgins death
Jury selection is set to begin Jan. 5 in the capital murder trial of a
career criminal charged with the death of Laura Powell Higgins on Dec. 19,
2002.
"We will be seeking the death penalty in this case," Harris County
Prosecutor Denise Nasser said. Lamar Baskin, 44, was indicted by a Harris
County Grand Jury last week on capital murder charges in connection with
the death of the Perry Homes model-home decorator.
"He is one of the worst people we've had in Harris County from the
standpoint of random acts of violence," Nasser said. "He attacked people
for no reason," she said. "Several of the victims cooperated with his
demands. They gave him everything they had and he still shot them.
"I'm happy he's off the streets," Nasser said.
Higgins is believed to be one of five people Baskin shot and robbed in a
crime spree that ended shortly after her murder, Nasser said.
Ballistics on the bullets from the five shooting victims link the crimes
and a witness ties Baskin to the weapon that fired those rounds, Nasser
said. Higgins and a Houston man were both killed as a result of the shootings.
Raffique Karamath, 59, was shot to death in his print shop at 6119
Jessamine in Houston.
Baskin is also linked to three sexual assaults through DNA evidence, Nasser
said, adding that no other crimes that occurred after Higgins' murder have
been linked to Baskin.
Baskin left Houston for Atlanta shortly after the murder, she said. He was
arrested on an unrelated robbery charge shortly after his return several
months later, she said. Baskin was in jail on that robbery charge when he
was charged with capital murder for Higgins' death in June.
Baskin's prior history and all of the other shootings linked to him, as
well as the sexual assaults, will be presented to the jury during the
punishment phase of his trial, Nasser said.
"He is a habitual felon," she said. "He's been to prison at least two times
and he has a prior conviction for aggravated robbery."
Baskin remains in jail with no bond, Nasser said. "I think the police did
an incredible job, ultimately catching him and investigating the case," she
said.
(source: The Citizen Online)
