Oklahoma City man on trial admitted to shooting sheriff's major, felon testifies

Rinken also testified Baker told him he should have known better than to trust co-defendant Keonte Prince because Baker said “he put in all the work and he split the money with Prince.”

On cross-examination, Baker's attorney, Craig Hoehns implied Rinken would say anything to avoid a life sentence, the maximum punishment for his guilty plea to an aggravated assault and battery charge.

Hoehns said it was more “advantageous” for Rinken to “snitch out” Baker than Prince, who confessed to planning the robbery with Baker.

“I wouldn't come here to lie, if that's what you're implying,” Rinken said.

The father of 5- and 7-year-old boys said he testified for the good of his family.

“I made the decision for my kids, not for me,” Rinken said. “If I could get home sooner I would do it.”

Prince, 19, of Oklahoma City, a former Cattlemen's dishwasher, testified at Baker's preliminary hearing that he saw Baker struggle briefly with Waldenville before shooting him.

Prince is not expected to face trial in the case, prosecutors said.

A copy of Prince's transcript was read to jurors Wednesday. In it, Prince said he and Baker approached Waldenville as walked to a nearby bank. Prince, though, stopped about five feet short of the lawman.

“I got too close to him,” Prince said. “If I snatch these bags I'm dead.”