North Lebanon man on trial for child abuse dead from self-inflicted gunshot wound: DA

A North Lebanon Township man on trial for abuse of his infant child was found in his home this morning with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head and later pronounced dead at Hershey Medical Center, according to a news release by the Lebanon County district attorney.

Brian Hungler was charged by the Lebanon County Detective Bureau on May 16, 2020 with multiple felonies for serious injuries inflicted to his infant's brain, ribs and leg bones. Hungler had posted bail pending his trial.

The trial against Hungler began Monday, April 22, before a Lebanon County jury, according to a news release from the District Attorney's office, where evidence was presented by Senior Deputy DA Amy Muller. Detective David Shaffer testified as to the multiple times Hungler confessed that he had caused the injuries to the newborn and multiple doctors appeared to outline the baby's broken bones and internal brain bleeds for the jury.

During the trial, medical experts from the Hershey Medical Center's Child Protective Team opined that the injuries were caused only by an abuser.

The commonwealth rested its case-in-chief on Tuesday and prepared for closing arguments. Closing statements, deliberation and the jury's verdict were expected Wednesday.

Police responded to Hungler's home early Wednesday morning for the report of a gunshot injury. Law enforcement located Hungler, who sustained a single gunshot wound to his head consistent with a self-inflicted injury, with a semiautomatic handgun in his hand.

Lebanon County Detective Bureau will conduct and investigation in conjunction with North Lebanon Township.

Daniel Larlham Jr. is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at DLarlham@LDNews.com or on X @djlarlham.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: PA man on trial for child abuse dead from self-inflicted gunshot wound