Suspect in Minnesota police killing goes on trial

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A man charged with killing a Mendota Heights police officer last summer and trying to kill other officers in a shootout that day goes on trial Monday in St. Cloud.

Brian Fitch Sr., 40, is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Officer Scott Patrick during a traffic stop July 30 in West St. Paul. Fitch also faces three counts of attempted murder and a gun felony for allegedly shooting at other officers during his arrest in St. Paul following a manhunt.

Jury selection begins Monday in St. Cloud, where the trial was moved. Opening statements are scheduled Jan. 20, the St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://bit.ly/14KoYd9 ) reported.

Patrick, 47, was shot in the head, leg and abdomen after pulling over a green Pontiac Grand Am prosecutors say was driven by Fitch, a man with a criminal history and active warrants.

According to court documents, Fitch fled to the home of two associates after the shooting, asked for help hiding the Grand Am and tried to buy another vehicle, a Hyundai Veracruz. He settled for borrowing the SUV and eventually went with a woman to a home in St. Paul. There, he met more acquaintances and discussed hiding out in a cabin in Wisconsin, according to court documents.

When Fitch tried to leave, police were waiting outside. He sped away with two other people in the Veracruz. Police cornered him in a parking lot, where Fitch is accused of firing on three officers from the SUV. They shot back, hitting him eight times and also wounding a woman in the seat behind him.

Fitch needed surgery and is still undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds.

Prosecutors have filed a list of about 70 potential witnesses, including the woman who was shot in the SUV with Fitch.

The defense has filed a list of five witnesses, including the records custodian of Regions Hospital, where Fitch was treated after his arrest. Fitch's medical records could be key in proving or discrediting the prosecution's claim that he told an officer guarding him in the hospital: "Just so you know, I hate cops and I'm guilty."

Since his arrest, Fitch has been held at the maximum-security prison in Oak Park Heights. Prosecutors have filed notice that they plan to introduce evidence at trial that while behind bars in December, Fitch conspired to commit murder and tamper with a witness. Fitch has not been charged in connection to those allegations.

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Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press, http://www.twincities.com