Pagan asks judge to dismiss assault charges

MEDIA COURTHOUSE >> A 48-year-old member of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club has moved to toss a criminal information charging him with an assault against a fellow club member in April.

Defense attorney Mark Much entered his appearance on behalf of Brion Phillips Monday before Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge Kevin F. Kelly and moved to have the information quashed.

Phillips was charged with conspiracy, harassment, and aggravated and simple assault in May along with Joseph E.

Meehan, 44, of Cricket Lane in Ardmore.
Meehan, who is also charged with reckless endangerment, is scheduled for trial July 24.

Another club member was also initially charged, but those charges were dropped at the magisterial district judge level.

Police are not sure why Meehan and Phillips allegedly jumped the 52-year-old victim, but suspected they wanted to take his colors. pper Chichester police were dispatched to the 300 block of Laughead Avenue at about 10:25 p.m. April 13 for a report of a subject down with a gunshot wound. Phillips was found at the scene with a gunshot to the leg. He was taken to Crozer-Chester Medical Center for treatment.

None of the defendants spoke with police, but the incident was captured on the victim’s home surveillance system and investigators were able to positively identify the suspects using that video. The video shows Phillips, Meehan and a third individual entering a shed in the driveway of the Laughead Avenue residence, according to an affidavit of probable cause. A fight can be seen taking place and the third individual can be seen running down the driveway toward Laughead Avenue, according to the affidavit.

Meehan is allegedly seen stepping out of the shed with Phillips limping out behind him. The victim can be also be seen exiting the shed with a firearm in his hand, according to police. The victim raises the firearm in the video and fires a round at Meehan, who then tackles the victim to the ground, the affidavit states. Phillips and Meehan wrestle the firearm off the victim and Meehan then strikes the victim in the head multiple times with the gun, according to the affidavit.

The victim has a permit to carry a firearm and no charges were filed against him.
Assistant District Attorney Christopher DiRosato said Monday that the victim has not cooperated with police and was not at the preliminary hearing. DiRosato said at least some of the video was shown at that hearing, however, and he intended to show the full video and subpoena the victim for a hearing on the motion to quash, if necessary.

DiRosato said he would reach out to Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Wills, who was involved in the charging documents, and provide Much with discovery in the case. He added he would reply to the motion and begin working on a plea offer.

Kelly has set a trial date and motion hearing date of August 24.


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