Suspected killer of hero security guard to serve only 3 years in jail

The family of slain hero security guard has revealed that Pierce County prosecutors have negotiated a plea deal that allows their son's suspected killer to only serve three years behind bars for second degree murder.

Tracey Baker’s mother, Dorothy Boykins, told The Post Millennial, "Nobody is representing our son."

Boykins provided a copy of a letter from Pierce County dated February 3 that a plea date has been scheduled for February 24 where Jonathon Miller, Baker's accused killer, is scheduled to plead guilty and only receive 3 years in jail, one of which has already been served while awaiting trial.

She added that during a meeting with prosecutors on Tuesday, victim advocate Michelle Walker and her team were unable to promise that Miller would even serve the entirety of the sentence.

Boykins told The Post Millennial that she said during the meeting to the prosecutors, "I put trust in y’all, what have you been doing for a year?"

Baker was at the Tacoma Walmart January 11, 2021 shopping for items for his family. According to statements, Miller, who has multiple priors, was near the self-checkout harassing customers to see their receipts even though he was not a store employee. He had been known to exhibit this behavior previously.

Miller allegedly walked by Baker to the exit door and began threatening him. According to statements. Miller threatened to stab Baker who responded by allegedly bear-hugging Miller and asking him if he was going to behave before releasing him. According to witnesses, Miller followed Baker outside and advanced on him with a knife.

Witnesses say that Baker repeatedly asked Miller to leave him alone. An altercation ensued during which Miller allegedly pulled his hand out of his pocket and punched at Tracy’s chest which resulted in a scuffle.

When security arrived, witnesses identified a knife in Miller’s hand. Baker had been stabbed multiple times in the chest, side, and head. Baker laid on the hood of his car, covered in blood, and stated it was hard to breathe. Miller remained at the scene and allegedly lied to police about having weapons. A woman with Miller later admitted that he had stashed the knife. Police were able to locate the weapon at the scene.

Baker became unresponsive and CPR was administered by the onsite security and a police officer. An autopsy concluded the initial jabs to the chest were the fatal injuries.

Miller was arrested on second-degree murder and remained behind bars on a million dollars bail.

According to Boykins, prosecutors did not tell her until January 24, 2022, a year after the tragic death of her son that Miller was claiming self-defense. She also told The Post Millennial that by then the plea deal was already negotiated and that prosecutors made the deal because they were worried about taking the case to trial.

Boykins said prosecutors were speechless when she asked if anyone spoke to the witnesses and if they did not have a case, why the bail was set so high.

She added that she was told the terms of the plea were that Miller would be sentenced to 3 years, 1 of which had already been served while awaiting trial and that the prosecutors could not guarantee that Miller would serve the entirety of the remaining time.

Boykins told The Post Millennial that prosecutors declined to allow her to record the meeting.

Update: Adam Faber, communications manager for the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said in a statement to The Post Millennial: "We are heartbroken for the family of Tracy Baker. Clearly, Mr. Baker’s family has certain beliefs about what happened in this case. The defendant is asserting self-defense, which anyone has the right to do under Washington law.It is the prosecutor’s burden to disprove self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt. We have reviewed the evidence which in many respects supports the defendant’s claim."

"This is not a done deal, and the defendant is presumed innocent until he either pleads guilty or is found guilty. Should he decide to put our evidence to the test rather than enter a guilty plea, we will let a jury decide whether the State can disprove self-dense beyond a reasonable doubt."

In October of 2021, Baker prevented a sexual assault and detained the suspect until police arrived. Thomas Williams allegedly struck his victim, then attempted to drag her into a nearby alley, where according to authorities he planned to rape her.

Joseph Spiro, one of Baker’s colleagues at Iconic Global Security told KOMO News, "He was there for a lot of people when they needed him."

CEO of Iconic Global Security Andrew McKellips told the outlet, "He’s always stepped up for the little guy."