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Trial Begins in Cab Driver Shooting

WILLIAMSPORT — It’s been over two years since police in Williamsport say a taxi driver was shot on the job by one of his passengers. The alleged sho...

WILLIAMSPORT -- It's been over two years since police in Williamsport say a taxi driver was shot on the job by one of his passengers.

The alleged shooter, Dante Washington, is now on trial for attempted murder.

This was the first day of the trial and the first time in over two years the cab driver Gene Phillips came face to face with his suspected shooter.

Phillips came to court to tell his side of the story.

"I forgive the guy for what he did but justice needs to be served."

That's what Gene Phillips from Williamsport told Newswatch16 back in 2014 a few weeks after being shot on the job.

The former cab driver was back at the Lycoming County Courthouse Tuesday for the first day of the trial for his alleged shooter Dante Washington.

Phillips wasn't allowed to speak with us after sharing testimony because he may be called back to court, so his family did.

"Two and a half years, two and a half years waiting for this day," said Dawn Phillips.

Police in Williamsport say back in 2014, Phillips picked up Washington in his cab. Washington took out a gun and demanded money. Phillips handed over the money, but according to police, Washington shot him anyway.

We caught up with Washington as he was headed back into the courthouse.

"Just trying to get this case over with, that's all," he said.

Although it's a day she would rather forget, Dawn Phillips sat in court while her brother described in detail the morning he was shot.

"Miserable, gritting my teeth the whole time reliving it all," said Dawn Phillips, the victim's sister.

After he was shot, Phillips drove himself to a nearby hospital where he spoke with police and even helped identify the shooter.

"It wasn't a good memory but he's alive, he's doing well, we are all doing good. We are surviving it. We just want to get it all behind us," Phillips added.

Dante Washington's trial is expected to last at least until the end of the week in Williamsport.

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