Defendant Accused Of Sucker-Punching Man With Cerebral Palsy Heading To Trial Following Courtroom Chaos
CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) -- The suspect accused of sucker-punching a man with cerebral palsy was supposed to plead guilty in the case on Wednesday, but instead he's now headed to trial.
Barry Baker couldn't make up his mind in court, so the judge made a decision for him.
Baker was set to plead guilty, but then disagreed with the facts, which paved the way for a trial.
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Then he changed his mind again about wanting to plead guilty, however, it was something Baker said that left the judge no other option but to set a trial date for Monday.
Police say Baker was caught on camera mocking and sucker-punching Michael Ryan, who suffers from cerebral palsy, outside a West Chester 7-Eleven in May.
Ryans was in court hoping for an apology, but once Chester County Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Morgan read out the facts, Baker told the judge they were absolutely not true.
Baker claimed he and Ryan had words earlier that evening at Barnaby's and claimed there was video.
Then Baker's lawyer, Tom Purl, told reporters there was a change of heart and that Baker would now again plead guilty to assault and fleeing police.
Back in court, the judge told Baker he couldn't accept his guilty plea unless he acknowledged no such run-in ever occurred at Barnaby's, or get that video.
"He is sure that something happened at Barnaby's," said Purl.
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The judge told Purl to go to Barnaby's and substantiate Baker's claim, but footage from May no longer exists.
Video previously turned over to lawyers showed only Baker inside Barnaby's.
It's an alternate theory in a case that destroyed Baker's reputation.
"It's important for people to know he's not a bully, he doesn't pick on the handicapped, and there was a relationship earlier," said Purl.
It's unclear if they will be picking a jury, or if it will be a bench trial.
Baker's arm was in a sling during his court appearance after an alleged scuffle with a prison employee.
