Head Of Fitch Jury: State Had 'Solid Case'
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The foreperson of the jury that convicted Brian Fitch Sr. of murder Monday says the decision wasn't that difficult.
Fitch was found guilty of all nine counts against him, stemming from the killing of Mendota Heights Police Officer Scott Patrick last July.
The 34-year-old foreperson, named Garrett, is a bricklayer who asked that we not use his last name.
Garrett was present in the courtroom to hear Fitch's profanity-laced outburst towards Judge Theisen, which he says didn't surprise him.
He told WCCO that the state's case was overwhelming.
"They had a pretty solid case, with the professionals and the science that backed up their case," Garrett said.
It took just 45 minutes to find Fitch guilty, but more difficult were the attempted murder verdicts for the shots he fired at the arresting officers.
"He had a gun, all the officers said they were in fear for their life, so there was fear there -- that is assault," Garrett said.
Jurors were convinced the DNA, fingerprint and ballistics evidence were linked to Fitch and nobody else.
"It just kind of put everything together … bullet-wise, casing-wise," he said.
Fitch will be present in Dakota County court Wednesday morning for victim impact statements from Officer Patrick's family and friends.