Juror released in trial for man accused of killing officer

Brian George Fitch
Brian George Fitch
Courtesy Minnesota Dept. of Corrections

Opening statements in the trial for a man accused of killing a Mendota Heights police officer were delayed after another juror was released from duty.

Those statements were scheduled to begin Tuesday morning in Stearns County. A female juror was released after expressing concerns for her safety. She told the judge media reports had listed her occupation. Last week, another juror asked to be excused after details of her employment were reported. The judge asked that six more potential jurors be brought to court for questioning.

Brian Fitch Jr. is on trial in the fatal shooting of Officer Scott Patrick last July during a traffic stop in West St. Paul. He's also accused of trying to shoot other officers who tracked him down in St. Paul later that day.

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