ST. CLOUD -- A Stearns County jury has found Brian Fitch Senior guilty on all nine counts against him. Fitch was charged with nine felony counts, including first degree murder, in the shooting death of Mendota Heights Police officer Scott Patrick.

The verdicts were read at about 10:00 p.m. tonight (Monday). Fitch sat quietly shaking his head and appeared to be holding back tears.

Meanwhile, there were a lot of tears and hugs from police officers and Patrick's family after the verdicts were read.

Stearns County Jail photo
Stearns County Jail photo
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After the jury was dismissed, Fitch erupted in a profanity-laced outburst,  calling the trial a sham and bias by the judge, saying she overruled every objection by the defense.  Fitch continued his profane language toward the judge as he was escorted back to his holding cell.

Following the verdict, Patrick's brother Mike Brue spoke to the media.  Brue said the family witnessed a fair and just process and thanked the jury for their difficult but vital decision. He said the Patrick family feels for the Fitch family and they hope some sort of right can come from a terrible wrong.

Patrick's wife Michelle briefly spoke to reporters saying she hopes "Fitch can come to the realization of what he's done.  He's taken so much from us and he didn't need to. I want to bless  him. Amen to him."

The jury deliberated for about nine hours before finding Fitch guilty on the charges.  He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Fitch will be sentenced at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday in Dakota County.

See the full statements of family members Mike Brue and Michelle Patrick, Dakota County Attorney James Backstorm, and Mendota Heights Police Chief Michael Aschenbrener below. 

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