Gerald Ung incident in Philly

[Patrick]

Some progress, at least.

 

[Patrick]

I guess the PR firm is spinning Eddie "douchebag" Didonato story at a local lacrosse website"


http://phillylacrosse.com/2010/04/2...-have-learned-patience-…-and-about-humility’/

The whole site is full of weepy stories about the "victim" who got shot attacking a retreating guy and his girlfriend with a pack of his lacrosse buddies.

 

[Tactics]

Didn't Philly try to outlaw handguns at one point or something?

Good thing this guy had one.. Who picks on a guy and girl? A group of asshats.

Then the guy did the right thing by A) Not leaving the scene, and B) Calling the police. His decisions got him carted off and thrown in the tank, but he still did the right thing. I hope this guy gets off on everything.
It looks like he pulled so they would leave him alone, but they didn't. We all know actually pulling the trigger is something done as a last resort, but 4 on 1 seems like a pretty desperate situation to me. Especially when he is retreating with a weapon.

Good luck man.

 

[ToneGrail]

DiDonato and his buddies should get charged with aggravated assault.

 

[BenL]

DiDonato and his buddies should get charged with aggravated assault.

Sadly, his family is well-connected, so that's not going to happen. In fact, I'd bet that if this was four guys from the hood, this wouldn't even be discussed. Because it was an ******* from an affluent family, he's a "victim".

 

[gamer_jim]

It looks like he pulled so they would leave him alone, but they didn't. We all know actually pulling the trigger is something done as a last resort, but 4 on 1 seems like a pretty desperate situation to me. Especially when he is retreating with a weapon.

I've always read that if you have to pull out then shoot. (we're talkin guns here guys)

Don't brandish or threaten.

Thoughts?

 

[kalister1]

I believe just pulling out the gun is Assault?
Been wrong before though?

 

[alucard0822]

I've always read that if you have to pull out then shoot. (we're talkin guns here guys)

Don't brandish or threaten.

Thoughts?

You draw when presented with an immediate and deadly threat, then fire to stop the attack, assuming the deadly threat is still present, and hasn't run away, or stopped the actions that caused you to draw in the first place.

The initial contact was 4 people in a group with at least 2 laying hands on him, immediate and deadly threat, check. Then when the lead a-hole advanced, and tried to disarm ung, the immediate and deadly threat persisted, check. clean shoot, Ung should sue, and the a-hole who started the confrontation, and his family should publicly appolagise, case closed.

 

[kohburn]

this is one case of "thank goodness for big brothers cameras"

the way the guy kept after him after ung pulled the gun was serious. There was a lot of intent in the way he was advancing.

100% justifide.

 

[gamer_jim]

Agreed that it was justified. I still can't believe that they charged him after reviewing the tape.

My point: is it legal, or moral, to reduce a threat by showing your would be attacker that you have a gun (legally)?

In Maine they have the term "brandishing" is mentioned in their firearms code. Some people have even been arrested for "brandishing" because they were open carrying--holstered weapons (overturned of course).

At what point in the conflict can you draw your gun? The scenario that I'm worried about is if an attack seems imminent but the attacker hasn't touched you yet, can you brandish? If the attacker stops the you could be charged with brandishing?

It is very important to think and talk about these sorts of things now because when the time comes you want to act out of training, not fear or anger.

 

[smores]

Is brandishing a felony? If not I'd rather quell a dangerous situation and fight it in court.

Better tried by twelve than carried by six, right? I only carry because I know what I will do if confronted with deadly force. I'm not a ninja or blackbelt anything so if some dude starts advancing on me looking like he's gonna beat the crap out of me, I'm drawing - and firing if he doesn't stop.

 

[AliasNeo07]

I'm also curious to see how this plays out, looks totally justified to me. Scary thing is I will be moving to philly in a year or two (maybe) and if my girlfriend and I are walking through the city and 4 or 5 people start to attack us, shi*. That is a deadly force encounter. I might reconsider pulling my gun if it was 1 person. I'm a big guy but theres no way I can take on 4 people. This is rediculous. And it always happens this way because criminals are usually pussies and travel in packs.

 

[jaywade]

any update on this case?

 

[vette97]

6/24/2010: Awaiting Trial
2/7/2011: Trial

http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/CPReport.aspx?docketNumber=CP-51-CR-0004808-2010

The Firearms Not To Be Carried W/O License charge was dropped. Obviously, his VA permit was valid in PA.

 

[jaywade]

wow so much for a speedy trial huh....

 

[Half-cocked]

Any word on when his attackers will face trial?

I guess I shouldn't hold my breath, should I.

 

[HardHatMan]

Ung shouldn't even be on trial. The security videos should be enough to acquit him on all charges.

 

[gamer_jim]

Holy crap, they are still charging him with "Criminal Attempt - Murder".

 

[jaywade]

I think he's going to beat it...going to be hard for a jury to say he was trying to murder anyone...although the fact that he had a drink the Da going to have a field day w/ that....that might be the only thing that he gets found guilty of, pretty sure in PA you can't carry while drinking ...don't know if that's a felony charge though

 

[dirtybird]

Gerald Ung's friends have started a non-profit corporation to provide financial aid for his criminal defense, The Gerald Ung Legal Defense Fund, Inc. Please visit our site and donate if you can. Thank you.

www.theungfund.org

My security software is saying that site is malicious, FWIW I donated anyway. Let's hope justice will prevail.