Verdict in NYC Medical School Controversy That Turned Violent

CHAPPAQUA, NY — A disgraced medical researcher who shot the dean of a Manhattan medical school in 2016 was found guilty by a jury on Tuesday, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced. Hengjun Chao of Tuckahoe, was found guilty of:

• one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a class “B” Felony,
• one count of Criminal Use of a Firearm in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony,
• one count of Assault in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony

Chao said during the trial that he was trying to expose fraud, according to The Journal News.

That fraud apparently pertained to a controversy at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Chao, 50, had been a research assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He was fired in May 2009 by a committee that included Dr. Dennis Charney, who is the dean of the medical school.

Chao accused a colleague of falsifying data; the school in turn accused him of the same thing.

However, Retraction Watch reported that the Office of Research Integrity at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services decided not to pursue findings of research misconduct. The blog cited an ORI investigator who said the school's investigation report was “inadequate, seriously flawed and grossly unfair in dealing with Dr. Chao."

Chao sued over the firing but lost on appeal.

At 7:56 a.m. Aug. 29, 2016, Chao parked in the Walgreen’s parking lot on King Street in Chappaqua. He was waiting for the victim to exit Lange’s Deli, a business that's a town landmark and also a favorite eatery for local luminaries such as former President Bill Clinton.

Video surveillance evidence showed Chao had stalked Charney for several days prior to the shooting.

When Charney left the deli, the defendant retrieved a loaded shotgun from the trunk of his car. He walked towards the victim, took aim and fired one shot, hitting him in the shoulder and chest area. He stayed there and was subsequently arrested by New Castle Police officers.

Charney was removed by ambulance and was hospitalized for five days. Chao told police that he was the one who shot the victim.

Chao is being held in jail. He will be sentenced on Aug. 16 and faces a maximum of 25 years in state prison.

Assistant District Attorney Christine O’Connor and Assistant District Attorney Daniel Flecha of the Superior Court Trial Division are prosecuting the case.

SEE ALSO:

• UPDATE: Chappaqua Shooting Suspect in Custody
  
• New Castle Releases Details on Chappaqua Deli Shooting
  
• Chappaqua Doctor was Deli Shooter's Intended Target
  

PHOTO/ New Castle police