Eric Frein is charged with killing Pennsylvania Trooper Corporal Bryon Dickson II and hurting Trooper Alex Douglass in a 2014 ambush. NBC10’s Deanna Durante was in the courtroom on Tuesday for day one of the trial.
A state police dispatcher described for a jury how she tried to help a Pennsylvania trooper who'd been shot and mortally wounded in an ambush at their barracks.
Nicole Palmer was the first witness called by prosecutors Tuesday in the trial of Eric Frein (freen), who's charged in the 2014 attack that killed Cpl. Bryon Dickson II and critically wounded Trooper Alex Douglass.
Palmer was taking a call when she heard a gunshot and saw Dickson on the ground just outside the door. Palmer says she opened the door and found Dickson on his back, looking up and mouthing, "Help me." She says she went back inside to get help.
Dickson was pronounced dead a short time later.
Palmer was one of the opening statements the jury heard in the trial for Frein, an anti-government survivalist who's accused of killing Dickson and injuring Douglass.
Frein could face a death sentence if he's convicted in the attack. Authorities say he confessed to the ambush, calling Dickson's slaying an assassination meant to "wake people up." Frein also allegedly spoke of wanting to start a revolution in a letter that prosecutors say he wrote to his parents. Pike County First Assistant District Attorney Bruce DeSarro asked the panel to deliver "full justice" by convicting Frein.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
Defense lawyer Michael Weinstein reminded jurors that Frein is presumed innocent and the government must prove its case. Weinstein says Frein won't take the stand.
Frein led police on a 48-day manhunt before his capture by U.S. marshals.
Frein has pleaded not guilty.
