ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A former bouncer at an Allentown bar was charged with voluntary manslaughter Thursday after turning himself in to authorities.
William Clifton Baker, 49, of Allentown, also faces charges of aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter and simple assault, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said in a news release.
- William Clifton Baker faces several felony charges linked to the death of Thong Pham in December 2021
- Authorities allege Baker punched Pham in September 2019 after removing him from East Sider’s bar
- Pham fell and hit his head, causing a traumatic brain injury that led to his death two years later, the Lehigh County DA alleges
Baker is accused of causing the death of Allentown resident Thong Pham.
Authorities allege Baker punched Pham once in the face on Sept. 29, 2019, after throwing Pham out of East Sider’s, 2204 Union Blvd. Pham fell and hit his head on the ground, causing a traumatic brain injury, according to Martin.
An investigation showed Baker "did not have a specific intent to kill Pham and that the defendant did not strike Pham with legal malice.”Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin
Pham was treated at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Fountain Hill before he was taken to a long-term-care facility in Plymouth Meeting, Montgomery County, Martin said.
Pham never regained consciousness before he died Dec. 29, 2021, according to the district attorney. He was 35.
The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office ruled Pham’s death a homicide and that he died from complications from the traumatic brain injury he suffered in September 2019, Martin said.
“We strongly believe that Mr. Baker committed no crime."Defense attorney Joshua Karoly
Martin said he charged Baker with manslaughter because an investigation showed Baker "did not have a specific intent to kill Pham and that the defendant did not strike Pham with legal malice.”
“Instead, I find that the defendant was unjustified in causing Pham’s death and that the defendant did so in a reckless or grossly negligent manner,” Martin said.
Arraigned, released
Defense attorney Joshua Karoly said Baker voluntarily surrendered Thursday morning and was arraigned by District Judge Michael D’Amore.
Baker was released Thursday after posting bail, which D’Amore set at $50,000, Karoly said.
“We strongly believe that Mr. Baker committed no crime,” Karoly said, adding he’s confident “that will be shown” in court.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 23, Baker's attorney said.
