Attorneys Ask That Officer Shooting Trial Be Moved

HASTINGS (AP) -- Attorneys for the man accused of killing a Mendota Heights police officer are asking that the defendant's trial be moved out of the Twin Cities because of extensive publicity about the case.

Brian Fitch's lawyers also want statements he made while hospitalized suppressed and his multicounty grand jury indictment dismissed.

The 39-year-old Fitch is accused of fatally shooting Scott Patrick on July 30th during a traffic stop in West St. Paul.

He's also accused of firing at officers who tracked him down in St. Paul later that day.

Separate cases in Dakota and Ramsey counties were consolidated by a grand jury, a move rarely taken.

Defense attorneys Lauri Traub and Gordon Cohoes argue the consolidation breaks court rules.

The defense arguments will be heard December 16th.