Delaware County Murder Suspect Pleads 'Guilty But Mentally Ill'

The Pennsylvania man charged in the fatal shooting at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby has pleaded “guilty but mentally ill,” according to FOX29.

Richard Plotts had been charged in the murder of Theresa Hunt and the attempted murder of Lee Silverman, following a shooting in the third-floor psychiatric office in the hospital’s Sister Marie Lenahan Mercy Wellness Center on July 24, 2014.

Plotts, 49, was a patient at the wellness center, and had attended an appointment with Silverman, a psychiatrist there, along with Hunt, his case worker.

Authorities believe Plotts went to his appointment intending to kill his Silverman. They said Plotts was angry because the hospital posted a sign declaring the building a “gun-free zone.”

Plotts was inside Silverman’s office for the scheduled appointment when he suddenly pulled a gun out of his waistband and shot Hunt in the head at point-blank range, killing her instantly.

He also shot at Silverman, wounding him. However, the doctor had his own gun, and returned fire, injuring and ultimately stopping Plotts’ attack.

Plotts remains jailed in Grateford Prison in Montgomery County. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 25.

Read the full report at FOX29.