Suspect In Delaware County Hospital Shooting Waives Preliminary Hearing
YEADON, Pa. (AP) — A Philadelphia-area man accused of fatally shooting his caseworker and grazing his psychiatrist before the doctor returned fire has waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
Forty-nine-year-old Richard Plotts is charged with murder, reckless endangerment and weapons counts in the July shooting death of 53-year-old Theresa Hunt inside a psychiatrist's office at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.
Authorities say psychiatrist Lee Silverman crouched behind a chair, pulled out his own gun and fired several times, wounding Plotts. Silverman was grazed in the temple and thumb.
Authorities say Plotts had several prior mental health commitments and drug and gun arrests. Investigators believe he was upset about signs banning guns on the suburban Philadelphia campus.
Asked in court Tuesday whether he understood the proceedings, Plotts said "I'm very aware what's happening."
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