Penn State professor charged after altercation during COVID-19 vaccine rally found not guilty
A Penn State assistant professor accused of harassing a counter-protesting student during a rally to urge the university to issue a vaccine mandate was acquitted Monday.
W. Oliver Baker, 37, was found not guilty of one summary count of harassment by Centre County District Judge Steven Lachman. County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna declined comment.
“I’m very pleased with the outcome of the trial and extremely grateful for the careful and patient consideration of Judge Lachman, who took the time to hear multiple witnesses put the actions of professor Baker in context,” defense lawyer Julian Allatt wrote in a text message.
Baker was originally accused of trying to take the student’s sign, pulling him to the ground and injuring him in August during the brouhaha in front of Old Main. Misdemeanor charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct were withdrawn in October.
The remaining harassment charge alleged Baker restricted the student’s “freedom of movement” by following him and attempting to cordon him off.
Allatt described the student as someone who “showed up with an eye toward disruption and chaos,” while adding Baker had no intent to “harass, annoy or alarm” the student.
“There’s not an ounce of malice in what Oliver did,” Allatt said. “... He’s a good guy who tried to do a good thing.”
The student is the founder of a student group that opposes both mask and vaccine mandates, and released a statement on Twitter after Lachman’s ruling. He wrote he respected the verdict, but disagreed “wholeheartedly.”
“I maintain my belief that professor Baker acted in bad faith, harassed and assaulted me,” the statement reads. “His conduct was wrong and shouldn’t have been excused.”
Baker, an assistant professor of English and African American studies, remains on administrative leave while “internal processes are concluded,” university spokeswoman Lisa Powers wrote in an email.
“It is my great hope that today’s finding of not guilty is a substantial step towards professor Baker’s reinstatement to his position at Penn State University,” Allatt wrote.
This story was originally published November 8, 2021 at 2:51 PM.