Barry Baker, Who Sucker-Punched Disabled Man, Claims He Was Attacked in Prison

Photo courtesy of the Chester County District Attorney’s office

Barry Baker, who was arrested after he was caught on camera sucker-punching a disabled man in West Chester in May, claims he was attacked by a corrections officer at the Chester County Prison.

West Chester’s Daily Local News reports that Baker, a 29-year-old former Coatesville resident, hand-wrote the newspaper a letter in which he identified himself as “the person whom you guys love writing about.”

In the August 2nd letter, Baker reportedly claimed that one correction official stood guard while another assaulted him, resulting in injuries including a separated shoulder, a concussion and a seizure.

The Chester County District Attorney’s Office told the Daily Local News that the allegations are being investigated by the prison.

Baker’s lawyer, Thomas Purl III of Downingtown, said he was aware of the letter but declined to comment over the phone.

Baker was charged with simple assault after the May 10th incident, in which he punched a 22-year-old man with cerebral palsy outside a 7-Eleven. The Chester County DA’s Office released video of the punch, which will viral.

Baker posted bail almost immediately after his first arrest, then he disappeared when police issued two additional arrest warrants for parole and probation violations. After a two-week manhunt, U.S. Marshals apprehended him in a hotel in Exton in early June. He was charged with fleeing police.

Baker’s hearing is scheduled for August 29th in Uwchlan District Court.

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