Jury Selection Begins In Brian Fitch Trial
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a man accused of killing a Mendota Heights Police officer last summer.
Brian Fitch Sr., 39, is charged with first-degree murder for the shooting death of Officer Scott Patrick, who was killed during a routine traffic stop in July.
After the July 30 shooting, a massive manhunt for Fitch ended in a shootout with police. Fitch was shot eight times, before he was arrested.
Fitch, who is also charged with four other counts including attempted murder and unauthorized use of a firearm, has pleaded not guilty.
There is a pool of 105 potential jurors, from which 14 will be selected to sit on the jury.
Because of all the publicity surrounding the case, the trial was moved to Stearns County.
In court, Fitch seemed to be in good spirits. He was smiling at one point while talking to his attorney. In another instance, Judge Mary Theisen had to ask him to stop talking and pay attention.
Four deputies were inside the courtroom Monday. Theisen said there will be at least two at all times.
At one point, she warned Fitch about putting his hands in his pockets. She says they can make people nervous and she doesn't want to have to call him on it again, especially when the jury is present.
Fitch's attorney gave notice that she plans to file motions to have some of the state's evidence dismissed. She says prosecutors have sent her stuff unacceptably late. Some information she says she received just last week.
Theisen hopes to start the trial next Tuesday. It's expected to last, at the most, two and a half weeks.