Both Sides Rest In Trial For Accused Cop Killer
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Both sides have rested their case in the trial of a man accused of shooting and killing Mendota Heights police officer Scott Patrick last July during a traffic stop.
The defense for Brian Fitch Sr. rested on Thursday without calling any witnesses, including their defendant. Fitch's attorney only played an audio recording of gunfire during his client's capture before resting Fitch's case.
Fitch is charged with first-degree murder in Patrick's July 30, 2014 shooting death.
On Wednesday, a firearms expert testified in Stearns County Court that the bullets and shell casings fired from a 9-millimeter pistol match the gun police found when Brian Fitch Sr. was taken into custody.
Prosecutors also surprised jurors with the testimony of Claude Crockson. He was in the same medical unit as Fitch at Oak Park Heights. There, he said Fitch asked him to arrange a hit on two witnesses, Taya Moran and Lori Pocock.
When asked why he would snitch on Fitch, an old acquaintance, Crockson said he did it to clear his name.
