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OGDEN — Casey Baird said he felt numb as he walked out of the courtroom Wednesday, and outraged.
He had just learned that his daughter, 21-year-old Tawnee Baird, was stabbed 46 times when she was attacked and killed, allegedly by her girlfriend, 22-year-old Victoria Ashley Mendoza.
Bail was then set at $100,000.
"This should just be a no bail or a million dollars," an angry Casey Baird said. "She has no right to step in the public eye again."
On Wednesday in Ogden's 2nd District Court, an initial appearance was held for Mendoza, accused of fatally stabbing Tawnee Baird on Saturday. According to a probable cause statement filed in court, Baird was stabbed in the neck, face and chest. In court Wednesday, Casey Baird, learned his daughter was stabbed more than 40 times.
Mendoza and Tawnee Baird were driving on I-15 when they got into a fight, according to court records.
"Victoria stated she 'lost it,' drew her knife from her pocket and began stabbing," according to the report.
Mendoza drove the car to a church parking lot, 2484 E. Avenue, and called her sister to tell her what had happened. The sister then called 911.
This is just a slap in the face. To brutally kill my daughter like this. It sucked the life out of me. I am so numb. To get the call my daughter got stabbed by a girl we had taken under our wings....to have it ripped out from underneath me is unbelievable. I'm sick to my stomach.
–Casey Baird
Mendoza was charged in 2nd District Court on Tuesday with murder, a first-degree felony.
"My little girl was the sweetest little thing. She was my everything. My everything. I did everything for her, with her. We were so close," Casey Baird said while holding back tears.
Baird said he often supported his daughter and Mendoza financially because they didn't have much money.
"This is just a slap in the face. To brutally kill my daughter like this. It sucked the life out of me. I am so numb," he said. "To get the call my daughter got stabbed by a girl we had taken under our wings....to have it ripped out from underneath me is unbelievable. I'm sick to my stomach."
From talking to those with knowledge of the case, Baird said he's not sure Mendoza will be able to make bail. But he would still like to have the security of a no bail hold, he said.
Mendoza told the court on Wednesday that she was going to hire her own attorney instead of using a public defender. The judge set another hearing for Oct. 30.
