Trial Begins For Man Accused In K-9 Officer's Fatal Stabbing
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Opening statements began Tuesday morning in the trial of a man accused of fatally wounding a Pittsburgh Police dog and injuring several other officers as they tried to arrest him.
The prosecution said this is a clear cut case, while the defense said police are exaggerating.
In January, police were looking for 21-year-old John Rush because he was wanted for violation of an order to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law.
Prosecutor Jennifer DiGiovanni told the jury when Rush was cornered in a building at 37th and Butler, Rocco the dog spotted him and in the very next moment, Rush attacked the dog. Later, officers determined the dog was stabbed.
Rocco was rushed to a veterinary center, but died two days later.
Defense attorney Aaron Sontz told the jury that police accounts that Rush fended off a half dozen police officers plus a police dog don't add up and cautioned them not to be swayed by pre-trial publicity.
Timothy McGill testified he got a late-night knock at the door from Rush.
"I heard this loud knock at the front door," he said. "I opened the door with caution. I saw John Rush in dirty street clothes. He had a look of panic and desperation. I told him to get out."
Rush then got into a laundry room and pulled out a knife. McGill left the building and called his girlfriend, who called police.
"I think there's someone in my building that's not supposed to be here, it's making me feel really uncomfortable and scared," she said on the 911 call.
The defense attorney asked McGill, "Why didn't you go back to the apartment and lock the door?"
McGill replied, "I'm not going to turn my back on a nut with a knife, that's crazy."
Previously, during a preliminary hearing, the prosecution added two more charges: flight to avoid apprehension and escape.
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