A Circuit judge on Wednesday sentenced a 44-year-old man to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the 2013 murder of a Honolulu real estate broker and aspiring actress.
Judge Paul Wong sentenced Vernon Baker for the second-degree murder of Mary Beth San Juan, 56. Wong also ordered Baker to pay a restitution of $4,000 to the Hawaii Crime Victim Compensation Fund to help cover San Juan’s funeral expenses.
During Baker’s sentencing, Wong described the murder as “heinous” and “senseless.” Wong noted that he hopes the sentence will bring San Juan’s family members a step toward healing and closure.
In February, Baker pleaded guilty to second-degree murder under a plea deal. In exchange for his guilty plea, the state and defense agreed to recommend that Baker serve a minimum of 20 years before he becomes eligible for parole.
The Hawaii Paroling Authority will set the number of years Baker must serve before he becomes eligible for parole. The parole board hearing could be held in about six months.
During the sentencing, Baker turned to San Juan’s ex-husband, Dr. Alberto San Juan, who was seated in the courtroom gallery, and said there’s nothing he can do or say that can “make this right.”
As he broke down in tears, Baker said, “I’m trying to understand how I can possibly do this.”
“I really don’t deserve to live.”
In July 2013, San Juan’s ex-husband found San Juan’s body wrapped in a rug in the driveway of her Punahou Street home in Makiki. Despite the dissolution of their marriage, San Juan and her former husband had a good relationship, Deputy Prosecutor Wayne Tashima said. “He checked on her periodically and had dinner together.”
When San Juan’s ex-husband didn’t hear from her for a couple of days, he went to check on her.
Tashima said San Juan was beaten and stabbed more than 20 times. It’s believed she was killed approximately three days before her body was discovered.
San Juan sustained 24 sharp force injuries to her body, including stab wounds to her neck and back. She also suffered a punctured lung and lacerations to her head, scalp and legs.
“This was a very vicious crime,” Tashima said during Baker’s sentencing.
Deputy Public Defender Steven Nichols said Baker adored Mary Beth San Juan and described her as Baker’s spiritual mentor. He noted evidence presented in the case was “largely circumstantial” and that there were no witnesses.
He added there’s nothing in Baker’s record that would indicate he’s capable of murder.
Nevertheless, Nichols said Baker told him he knew what he did and that he felt terrible and needs to face the consequences.
Although San Juan’s ex-husband said the sentence is a step toward closure, he is waiting to see what happens at the parole board hearing.
Alberto San Juan said his ex-wife and Baker had been friends for years. “I don’t understand how he could do this to somebody who’s as beautiful as Mary Beth, who’s always been nice to people,” he said after the hearing.
“I just hope nobody has to go through something like this, ever.”
