On December 12, 2012, Anton Baker, a 43-year-old African American man, died in Chicago following an altercation involving two teenagers. The incident began when 15-year-old Derrick Burns engaged in an argument with Baker over a cigarette, which escalated into a physical confrontation. During the altercation, Burns struck Baker in the head with a stereo speaker. William Davis, who was 16 years old at the time, was present during the incident. Prosecutors alleged that Davis joined the fight and kicked Baker, while Davis contended that he did not participate in the assault.
The Cook County medical examiner's office determined that Baker's death was primarily due to an acute asthma attack, with contributing factors including the physical altercation and a lethal dose of heroin found in his system. Baker had a documented history of heroin-induced asthma attacks requiring emergency medical treatment.
In the legal proceedings that followed, Derrick Burns was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. William Davis faced charges of first-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter but was ultimately found not guilty by a jury in September 2015. The court concluded that Davis's presence at the scene did not equate to active participation in the fatal assault.
The death of Anton Baker occurred during a particularly violent year in Chicago, with the city recording over 500 homicides in 2012. This surge in violence was attributed to factors such as gang activity and the proliferation of illegal firearms. The incident underscores the complex interplay of personal health issues, substance abuse, and urban violence.
