Uniontown's self-proclaimed 'mad scientist' offered probation

UNIONTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Prosecutors are offering a probation sentence to a man charged with pushing a nurse after wandering in a Uniontown hospital claiming to be a "mad scientist" -- provided the man continues mental health counseling.

Fayette County prosecutors disclosed the tentative plea agreement Tuesday when 37-year-old Jerry Wingrove, of Uniontown, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on trespassing, assault and other charges.

Uniontown Hospital police said Wingrove was wandering around trying to read patient information on computers when he pushed a nurse who confronted him on April 10.

Wingrove has told investigators that he is a "mad scientist" who meant no harm but is just curious about studying brain waves and other phenomena and that he intended to heal some people at the hospital, including the nurse.

Channel 11 News spoke to Wingrove outside of a district court in Fayette County on Tuesday.

"I just went up to the hospital and touched a couple computers. Mad scientist wanted me to touch a couple computers," Wingrove said.

WPXI