By HOI-ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Opening statements in the murder trial of Cynthia Baker painted a grim picture of the life 8-year-old Rica Rountree lived before dying in January.

Baker faces six charges in connection to the death of her boyfriend’s daughter and if found guilty, could be sentenced to natural life in prison.

Our news partner HOI-ABC reports opening statements from prosecutors lasted about 15 minutes Wednesday. The defense only addressed the jury for about three minutes, mentioning the alternative theory surround the child’s death which delayed the trial.

Baker sat blankly as prosecutors told jurors the 41 year old “hated” her stepdaughter.

Prosecutors described in detail the abuse they claim Baker inflicted on the girl. They told jurors Rountree’s body had many scars, saying there was no doubt she had been “battered and abused from head to toe.”

Text messages from Baker to her boyfriend, Richard Rountree, were read by prosecutors, which showed Baker talking about strangling the child.

Prosecutors also described videos — which the jury will see in open court — in detail, showing disturbing treatment by Baker.

“She also bangs Rica’s head off a wall during this video. The video from August shows the defendant setting up the phone to record a video, calmly laying a towel on the wall and then dragging Rica, naked and dripping wet in the bedroom by her neck while yelling at Rica,” said McLean County Assistant States Attorney Mary Koll.

After hearing the prosecutor’s opening statement, Baker’s defense attorney told the jurors he was going to “scrap” his prepared statement, but acknowledged the videos, calling them a “bizarre form of discipline.”

“It doesn’t prove (aggravated) battery beyond a reasonable doubt and it certainly doesn’t prove murder beyond a reasonable doubt. There are no murderers in this courtroom ladies and gentlemen and when this case is concluded, you will also realize that fact,” said Baker’s defense attorney Todd Ringel.

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