Opening Statements Pushed To Thursday In Fitch Trial
ST. CLOUD, Minn. (WCCO) — The trial for the man accused of killing a Mendota Heights police officer is on hold.
Brian Fitch Sr.'s murder trial was supposed to begin Tuesday, but will now begin on Thursday.
Fitch faces first-degree murder charges for the shooting death of officer Scott Patrick. The 19-year-veteran of the department was shot and killed during a traffic stop last July.
Patrick's family arrived to the Stearns County courthouse Tuesday morning ready to face the man accused of killing Patrick.
"We're all prepared as much as we think we can be for this circumstance," Patrick's half brother, Mike Brue, said.
They expected the start of a trial, but instead learned they'd have a two-day wait.
The delay comes after defense attorney Lauri Traub asked for a continuance because of new evidence introduced Tuesday morning. She told the judge she received a recording of a witness who claimed that Fitch confessed to killing Patrick.
Traub argued she needed time to investigate the new information.
"This might affect our theory of the case," she told the judge. "It might be something we want to address head on and we don't know because we got this information this morning."
But that wasn't the only delay.
Before opening arguments, one of the 14 jury members expressed fear after her job and home location were included in a news report.
Much of the morning was spent trying to find a juror to replace her.
Patrick's family said they will be back for opening statements on Thursday.
"We're a strong bunch. This is still going to be a difficult time, difficult circumstance," Brue said.
If convicted, Fitch faces a mandatory life sentence.
The trial is expected to last about two weeks.
