ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) - A judge will allow evidence of an alleged plot to kill witnesses at the trial of a man accused of killing a Minnesota police office.

Defense attorneys for Brian Fitch Sr. wanted to exclude evidence that Fitch spoke to another inmate at Oak Park Heights state prison about killing two key witnesses in his case.

Defense attorney Gordon Cohoes argued that jurors would be "extremely terrified" of Fitch if they heard the allegations.

But reports say Judge Mary Theisen ruled Thursday the evidence that Fitch tried to have the witnesses killed speaks to "consciousness of guilt" and will be shared with the jurors.

Fitch is on trial in the fatal shooting of Mendota Heights Officer Scott Patrick last July. Six jurors have been chosen so far.

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