Free Republic

One day after being charged with aggravated sexual battery, a longtime Tennessee pastor died by suicide in a hospital bathroom, authorities said. David Mark Baker Sr., 57, was serving at Family Baptist Church in Columbia, had been a jail chaplain, and once ran for Maury County mayor. On Sept. 10, Baker was charged with aggravated sexual battery in a case that involved a minor, according to Sheriff Bucky Rowland. Baker, released from jail on $200,000 bond, was scheduled to appear in court next month. Columbia Police Chief Jeremy Alsup said Baker walked into a local emergency room on Sept. 11,...

<p>COLUMBIA — A lone gunman entered Riverside Elementary School yesterday afternoon, robbing an office secretary of school funds — and personal funds from her pocketbook, authorities said. ''He had a bandanna over his nose and mouth, cowboy-style,'' said Columbia Police detective Roy Sellers. ''And he pulled a handgun on a lady in the office, demanding money.''</p>