Boswell faces penalities set in 1979

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Police arrested 53-year-old Richard Boswell Jr. Thursday in connection with the murder of 20-year-old Kathy Baker and the attempted murder of her then 2 and half-year-old son Ryan Baker.

The arrest came after DNA on Kathy's shirt at the time of the murder matched Boswell.

Boswell was in court Friday where the Judge appointed him a public defender. He's being charged with murder and attempted murder.

It was made clear in the courtroom that Boswell must face the penalties for these crimes at the time the crime was committed not when he's sentenced. That means he faces penalties set in 1979.

According to the Vigo County Prosecutor's office, the murder sentence in 1979 was 30 to 60 years in prison with an advisory sentence of 40 years in prison.

The difference today, the advisory sentence for murder is 55 years in prison, not 40.

However, attempted murder penalties have remained the same. Therefore, altogether if Boswell is found guilty he could face a maximum of 110 years in prison.

Boswell's trial date is set for April 4, 2010.