Victim in Aug. 12 beating at Charlottesville garage testifies on trial’s first day

Goodwin, 22, faces a charge of malicious wounding. He wore a dark suit and remained silent during Monday’s proceedings as the case got underway with opening statements.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Nina Antony said Goodwin traveled to Charlottesville from his home in Arkansas “outfitted for battle” to attend the Unite the Right rally. Wearing a tactical helmet and carrying a shield, Goodwin took part in an event that immediately became confrontational between the “alt-right” and counterprotesters, Antony said.

Later, when police declared the event an unlawful assembly and cleared Emancipation Park, Goodwin took part in a brutal group beating that left the 20-year-old Harris with a bloody gash over his eye, a cut on his scalp that required eight staples and a broken wrist, Antony said. While Harris was down on the ground, Goodwin and the others kicked, hit and beat the young man, the prosecutor said.

Because it was a concerted act, Antony said, each person involved is equally responsible for the actions of the others.

“Goodwin and a group of people find themselves a battle,” she said.

In contrast, Goodwin’s attorney, Elmer Woodard, said his client came to Charlottesville to exercise his right of free speech, while Harris came to abuse free speech. Woodard said Harris was trying to pick a fight.

After Harris fell down on the sidewalk in front of the garage, he was safe and could have curled up into a ball on the ground, Woodard said. But he kept getting up, Woodard said, and didn’t take the opportunity to stay on the ground.

“He gets up, with evil in his eye, and charges Mr. Goodwin,” Woodard said.

Goodwin was simply defending himself, Woodard said, and when he kicked Harris, Goodwin actually helped Harris get back up. It was Alex Ramos — another man accused in the assault — who punched Harris in the head while he was on the ground, Woodard said.

Harris then took the stand and said he went to the rally to see what it was all about. While there, he said he witnessed people yelling and throwing things at one another. At one point, a woman gave him a mask in case tear gas was deployed, and a man gave him a large flashlight and said, “Protect yourself,” Harris testified.

When the police started clearing the park, Harris said he and his group of friends began walking toward the garage, slightly behind a group of alt-right rally participants. As the two groups walked, they exchanged insults and taunts, Harris said.

Suddenly, Harris realized his group had stopped. As he turned around, he said he saw his friend, Corey Long, and a man — later identified as Harold Crews — struggling over a flagpole. Perceiving an attack on his friend, Harris said he ran over and struck the flashlight toward the flagpole to break up the altercation.

Harris said he then fell over, but was not sure what caused his fall. Then, backpedaling, he tried to get away, but kept falling, he testified. When he got to the parking garage, he kept trying to get away but fell multiple times, Harris said.

As the prosecution played videos detailing the assault, one juror became visibly upset.

Taking refuge in the stairwell, Harris said he felt like his body was burning. When his group found him, he said they helped him get across to the street, where he sat down on the doorstep of the NBC29 station.

That’s when he noticed his injuries, he said. After an initial checkup, Harris was taken to the hospital, where he was treated for his head wound, eyebrow gash, chipped tooth and broken wrist.

As the prosecution showed photographs of Harris’ injuries, some of the jurors again appeared to be upset.

The trial will continue Tuesday with cross-examination of Harris.

The trial for Ramos is expected to begin Wednesday.