ATLANTA — A Henry County man is finally free after being found not guilty in a quadruple murder case.
The news made national headlines in 2016 after four young people were killed at a bonfire just before Halloween.
Matthew Baker was charged in connection to the case and sat in jail without a court date for years. The now 26-year-old was found not guilty Monday and sat down with 11Alive for the first time since his release.
"It's just hard to adjust back," Baker said. "It's like, I feel like I'm still 18, 19 again, and I'm not."
Baker is 26 now and trying to live life just four days after getting out of jail. From death threats to nobody believing he was innocent, the adversity he's had to face has affected him. But, this week his prayers were answered and he's finally free.
"I'm home, you know. It still don't feel real, though," he explained. "It's time for big boy things. Get to work and get my life started."
But it's hard after life changed abruptly Oct. 26, 2016. That was the day Matthew Hicks, Keith Gibson, Sophia Bullard and Destiny Olinger were shot and killed in Jackson, Georgia after a house party just before Halloween. The case made national news.
The initial investigation turned up Baker and Jacob Kosky, but during the process of trying to find them, police uncovered three others who had some knowledge or direct involvement in the shooting and charged them with obstruction. Baker was arrested at home after a felony traffic stop. Kosky was arrested after he called 911 to turn in himself.
Baker, the only person of color connected to the crime, was charged and accused of "holding one of the firearms used" in the crime and "giving said firearm to Jacob Koksy," according to the affidavits 11Alive previously reported on.
"I remember a whole lot. A lot of craziness and like a scary horror movie," Baker recalled, before adding: "I don't like too much going back to that time."
Baker was arrested for murder. A year later the district attorney served him a death penalty notice as an accessory to the crime. 11Alive was the only news station to speak to him from jail while he waited to plead his case.
"I know that I am innocent, 100%, so there is nothing that anyone can tell me that happened, or can say happened that didn't happen. I know I am innocent," Baker said then.
As he reflects on that time now, he said he would've never imagined how slow time would pass.
"When all this took place, it's just like, this is not what I expected for my life," Baker said. "This is not what I wanted for my life."
For nearly eight years, Baker sat in a cell at the Henry County jail without a court date. A few weeks ago, that changed. He'd go to trial, the man who confessed to the murders would testify on his behalf -- and a jury would see Baker's side.
"It's kind of like, you're waiting to see who won in 'American Idol,' or something like that," Baker described. "Or, like, you're watching to see who's going to shoot the game winning shot with one second on the clock."
"My heart was beating fast," he continued. "I didn't know what to do, but just sit there and soak it in. When I heard them say 'Not guilty, not guilty, not guilty,' it just -- it's a different feeling. It's crazy really just crazy."
With his mom Angie by his side, and thousands he didn't know supporting him online, Baker made it out, and he said their faith never waivered.
"We both needed each other. We both kept each other strong," she said. "The only thing I can say is, it was really God. It was really God. I mean if I can't change any laws or anything, the only thing I can do is be a witness of faith. It's all God."
Baker said he forgives Kosky, who was convicted of murder in this case, but he's also devastated for the four families who lost loved ones that day.
"For him to go against his mother and sisters and family or whatever, to come and testify on my behalf when he didn't have to -- I didn't force him. My lawyers didn't force him. That man did that himself," Baker said. "For someone to go against their family, their own flesh and blood to help me? Despite what he did, that's a good person. He made a bad decision that night that changed a couple of people's lives. I just hope people forgive him and let him get the help he needs."
As he moves forward, Baker said he wants to help others who are released from jail, like him. He's got a long road ahead, but is up for the challenge.
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Those who would like to help him can support him via CashApp Team Matthew or donate on his funding page here.