WARREN — A Warren man accused of raping a 70-year-old woman is on trial in the courtroom of Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Sarah Thomas Kovoor.

John G. Baker, 64, faces first-degree felony charges of rape, kidnapping and felonious assault. If convicted, Baker faces a potential life sentence.

Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Becker is representing the state, while defense attorney Kristin Maxwell is defending Baker.

A jury was seated Tuesday and opening statements began Wednesday, with the state calling six witnesses, including the elderly victim, who testified that Baker sexually assaulted her with a sharp object.

The case stems from an incident Feb. 20 in Champion. According to a Champion police report, the victim met Baker weeks earlier at a grocery store and invited him to her Summerdale Avenue home. She reported that after spending time together, she went to bed, and Baker entered her room, became aggressive and assaulted her.

The victim escaped to a bathroom, locking herself inside while calling for help. Police said Baker stabbed the bathroom door 11 times, with three punctures penetrating through, before officers arrived, the police report states.

Authorities found a fixed-blade knife with a bent tip on the bed and fresh slash marks on a bedroom wall. Baker was located hiding nude in the bedroom, appearing combative, slurring his speech, and smelling of alcohol. He allegedly threatened officers, saying, “I am going to get you,” and vowed to return with matches, the report states.

Baker pleaded not guilty April 23 before Kovoor, who set his bond at $1 million. He remains in custody at the Trumbull County jail and his trial will continue today.