Travis County DA’s Office Announces Indictment Against Bert Baker

Travis County, TX — Today, Travis County District Attorney José Garza announced that on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, a grand jury in the 450th Judicial District Court returned an indictment charging Bert Baker, 36, with the offense of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. The grand jury did not make a hate crime finding, meaning that the grand jury did not determine that the defendant intentionally selected the victim because of a bias or prejudice against the victim’s race, national origin, ancestry, or religion.

Mr. Baker’s case will be prosecuted in the 331st Judicial Court for Travis County.

“The Travis County District Attorney’s Office takes the work of presenting all facts and evidence to a grand jury very seriously,” said Travis County District Attorney José Garza. “In this case, a group of independent Travis County community members heard the evidence and law and decided that Mr. Baker’s conduct was unlawful but should not be prosecuted with a hate crime enhancement.”

“We know that many religious communities in Travis County and across the country are deeply concerned about a rise in hate crime reports and that many were hoping for the grand jury to reach a different conclusion in this case,” Garza continued. “Our office takes the hate crime referrals we receive from our law enforcement partners incredibly seriously. We remain steadfast in our commitment to prosecute these cases and ensure that those who commit hate crimes in Travis County are held accountable.”

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