Cops: N. Philly man assaulted Fox 29 cameraman
Jerel Dial is charged with simple assault after allegedly attacking the cameraman Tuesday afternoon.
A NORTH PHILLY man faces assault charges after he allegedly attacked a Fox 29 cameraman Tuesday.
Jerel Dial, 25, has been charged with simple assault and reckless endangerment in the incident, which took place just before 2 p.m. outside Powell Mortuary Services, on 27th Street near Cumberland in North Philly, police said.
A cadre of journalists - including a photographer from the Daily News - had congregated on the block after police found rotting corpses entrusted to the funeral home stashed in a nearby garage owned by Chris Dailey, the son of Janet Powell Dailey, Powell's owner.
Within that group was the victim, identified by sources as Bryan Zilai, 43, a cameraman for Fox 29 paired with veteran reporter Dave Schratwieser.
As Zilai took video of the block, a group of residents started to antagonize him, telling him he wasn't allowed to film the area and demanding that he leave, police said.
During the spat, Dial, who lives on that block, allegedly grabbed Zilai's camera and thrust it into his face, causing a small cut underneath his right eye.
An officer at the scene took Dial into custody, police said. Zilai was treated for the cut, receiving three stitches.
Dial was released yesterday after posting 10 percent of $5,000 bail, court records show.