Jury Selection Continues In Trial Of Accused Cop Killer
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Jury selection continued Wednesday in the trial of a man accused in the shooting death of a Mendota Heights police officer last July.
Brian Fitch Sr., 40, is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Officer Scott Patrick, who was killed during a traffic stop on July 30, 2014. After the 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 was an initial pool of 105 potential jurors, from which 14 will be selected to sit on the jury. As of Wednesday, six jurors have been selected for the trial in Stearns County. It was moved there due to the publicity surrounding the case.
So far, three men and three women have been chosen. There needs to be 14 total jurors, 12 in the jury and two alternates, before opening statements can be made in the trial.
On Wednesday, the judge asked potential jurors if they would be OK watching video that shows Officer Patrick being shot and killed. It was the first mention that there might be video footage of the incident.
Fitch also walked into the courtroom without any sign of injury. In past court appearances, he walked with a noticeable limp, had a sling on his arm or was in a wheelchair.
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