A SWAT Team Destroyed an Innocent Woman's Home. She's Been Waiting 6 Years for Justice.
Vicki Baker has been waiting nearly six years for justice after her home was destroyed by a SWAT team in 2020. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit has finally ruled in her favor, allowing her to recover damages under the Texas Constitution. Despite her win, the lengthy legal battle raises questions about the resources spent by local officials to contest her claim.
- ▪Vicki Baker's home was destroyed by a SWAT team in pursuit of a fugitive in 2020.
- ▪After a lengthy legal battle, the 5th Circuit ruled in her favor, allowing her to recover damages.
- ▪Baker's insurance declined to cover the damage, and the government initially claimed she did not meet their definition of a victim.
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Takings A SWAT Team Destroyed an Innocent Woman's Home. She's Been Waiting 6 Years for Justice. Vicki Baker is more fortunate than several other similarly situated victims. But it took a very long time to get there. Billy Binion | 5.22.2026 5:17 PM Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google Media Contact & Reprint Requests <img src="https://d2eehagpk5cl65.cloudfront.net/img/c800x450-w800-q80/uploads/2026/05/vicki-baker-swat-5th-circuit-800x450.jpg" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto" width="1200" height="675" title="Vicki Baker is seen in front of her destroyed Texas house" alt="Vicki Baker is seen in front of her destroyed Texas house | Illustration: Adani Samat.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Reason Magazine.
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