LOS ANGELES (CA)
Mercury News
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - Michael Stephen Baker, who once wore the cassock of a Roman Catholic priest, was brought to court Tuesday in an orange jail jumpsuit to face child molestation charges.
A lawyer for the 58-year-old Baker entered his plea of not guilty and a preliminary hearing was set for March 16.
Baker only spoke when Superior Court Commissioner James Bianco asked if he agreed to the time delay.
"I do," he said.
Defense attorney Donald Steier said Baker would not immediately challenge his bail, which was set at $800,000.
The former priest was arrested last month when he returned from a trip to Asia.