Temple 3L Ordered to Trial in Shooting
A third-year Temple law student will have to stand trial for a shooting caught on videotape outside a Fox television studio in Philadelphia.
Gerald Ung, 28, had told police he acted in self-defense, and Ung’s lawyer, Jack McMahon, pressed that argument at the preliminary hearing on Friday, the Philadelphia Daily News reports. McMahon said Ung was the victim of a group of four drunken bullies, and he pulled his gun after he was rushed by one of them.
Judge David Shuter ordered Ung to trial May 7, saying he was basing his ruling on the number of bullets fired at vital body parts, the Philadelphia Daily News says. Ung is accused of firing his gun five times.
Shuter dismissed two gun charges because Ung had a weapons permit, and he is considering a request to drop a charge of attempted murder, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Ung is also charged with aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, the Daily News says.
According to the Daily News, Ung has withdrawn from law school and is living with his family, his lawyer said.
The victim, Edward DiDonato Jr., is being treated at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital after undergoing 10 operations, according to Assistant District Attorney Jan McDermott. The prosecutor said DiDonato is paralyzed in parts of his lower extremities, the Philadelphia Inquirer story says. DiDonato is a former captain of Villanova University’s lacrosse team and the son of a Philadelphia lawyer.
Seth Webster, one of DiDonato’s friends, testified at the hearing that Ung was harassing the group of four men and an argument began. He said Ung pulled his gun after one of Ung’s female friends got bumped by a man trying to rush Ung. Then DiDonato said, “Who you gonna shoot?” and grabbed Ung’s leg, according to the Daily News story. Ung fired, continuing after he fell to the ground. Then he called 911 and stayed there until police arrived.
Last updated April 21 to note that the Daily News is reporting that Ung is living with his family and has withdrawn from law school.
