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The commonwealth's next witness was
Thomas Baker, who moved to Charlottesville in May of 2017 and was in the downtown area on August 12.
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Baker came to the rally by himself that day and observed from a library near Emancipation Park. After police broke up the rally for being an unlawful assembly, Baker walked around downtown.
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Baker said he was not there to protest or counter protest and was not affiliated with any political party. He said he just wanted to be present against hateful ideology. He also said his priority that day was to stay safe and away from violence.
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Baker saw a joyful, celebratory group near the Water Street meter lot and joined, saying he didn't feel unsafe. He said the positive group walked toward 4th Street while chanting things.
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When the group turned up 4th Street, Baker said he ended up near the front. He heard thumps, screaming, and looked up to see a car coming at him. He said he thought that was going to be his last second alive.
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Baker was directly hit in his lower half, then hit his head on the windshield before getting sent over the top of the car and landing on the road. He asked himself "can I move?" and saw the car put on reverse lights.
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Baker got up and helped up a man up who was shell-shocked against a wall. After he went around a corner to get out of the car's path, Baker said the pain and reality settled in. The prosecution then reviewed photos of the incident with Baker in them.
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Baker said his chief concern at the hospital was medical expenses and just wanted to make sure he wasn't going to die. Baker suffered a concussion and his left arm and right hip were incredibly bruised. Doctors couldn't tell if it was broken because of swelling.
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Baker said he has always been a very good athlete and that sports were a key aspect of who he was. Now, Baker said the injuries have permeated every aspect of his life. The range of motion in his hip is dramatically altered and he can't jumo comfortably or run.
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Since the injury, Baker has lost 30 pounds, but "30 prouds that I liked." His arm is fully healed but his hip is only 75 percent if what is was.
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During cross examination, Baker was asked clarifying questions about where he was during the rally and what the scene was like at the Water Street meter lot. He said it wasn't violent or aggressive. Police physically divided groups, but were not using force.
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Baker was also asked by the defense what he saw after he was hit. He saw counter protesters jump on the car that hit him. During redirect, the commonwealth asked Baker to clarify that counter protesters jumped on the car after it drove into the crowd, not before.
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