An East Fallowfield man is charged with punching a disabled man in front of a West Chester 7-11. The Times has blurred the image of the victim’s face to protect his identity.
Updated, 5/23, 2:30 p.m.: Corrects suspect’s town of residence, based on new information from his arraignment, Tuesday.
WEST CHESTER — A Delaware man faces charges that he taunted and then sucker punched a man with cerebral palsy in front of a borough 7-11 on May 10. He faces charges of simple assault and additional charges related to the incident.
Surveillance footage apparently shows Barry Baker, 29, taunting the man as he enters the store and then taunting him again when he was returning to his car before Baker apparently punched him in the face, before feeling the scene on foot.
Dramatic video, released by the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, appears to show Baker’s attack:
Local law enforcement officials expressed anger at the incident.
“The defendant’s actions in this case are appalling,” West Chester Police Chief Scott Bohn stated. “You wonder what would make an individual treat somebody like that.”
“This defendant is a bully,”Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said. “Every decent citizen should be outraged by the defendant’s conduct. The victim is to be commended for keeping his cool and notifying the police.”
Barry Baker
Baker was able to post bail and awaits a hearing on May 30. Baker previously lived in East Fallowfield, but apparently recently moved to Georgetown, DE.
The case was investigated by the West Chester Police Department. Assistant District Attorney Cindy Morgan is the assigned prosecutor. Anybody with information about the incident should contact the West Chester Police Department at 610-696-2600.
