Dillsboro, IN– Murder charges were formally filed today in the death of Paycin K. Kritlow, 18, a recent South Dearborn graduate, of Moores Hill.
At a little before 1:30 am on Sunday, a 911 call was placed regarding a man who was shot in the neck at a graduation party for Tyler Baker. Upon arrival, Sheriff’s Deputies observed Paycin, who was deceased, laying in the driveway of the residence of William “Billy” Baker. Law enforcement observed a large, open wound to Paycin’s neck from a gunshot. Police would later learn that the shot entered Paycin’s back and exited through his neck. Paycin was at the Baker’s home for a graduation party for his friend, Tyler.
Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department Detectives stated that a witness, Baker’s brother-in-law, alleges that while at the party, as it got later, that he was seated at a table near the garage when he heard a boom. The man stated that it felt like some debris had struck him. Then he saw a boy laying on the ground. Another witness pulled the victim, who had been shot, closer to the house. The brother-in-law observed his sister, Baker’s wife to be screaming and holding or attempting to hold Baker. He then learned Baker had a knife and was threatening to slit his own throat. The knife was taken from Baker. Baker was making remarks like, “that’s the boy who just raped your niece…..let me go.”
Baker was advised of his rights and told police that he shot Paycin. He went on to allege that his seventeen (17) year old daughter told him she had been raped and that she pointed out to him the person who did this to her. Baker went on to say that he walked into the front door of his house and proceeded downstairs to the gun cabinet. Baker retrieved his 30-.06 rifle, walked out the back door of the home and went to his shed, which was lit, so he could see through the scope (of the gun). Baker said he then aimed, located the man his daughter identified, pulled the trigger and shot him.
Police interviewed Baker’s 17-year-old daughter who Baker believed had been raped. The daughter stated that at no time did she tell her father that she had been sexually assaulted, that day or any other day. The daughter went on to say that she was unaware of any other person present at the party who made any such statements regarding any sexual assault.
A search warrant was obtained for the residence. Officers located an open box of 30-.06 caliber shells on the bed, in the basement with six shells missing. Officers found a spent shell casing near the shed and5 other shells either in the rifle, in Baker’s pocket, or near the rifle.
