Eric Frein charged with murder, held without bail

PIKE COUNTY, Pa., Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Suspected cop killer Eric Frein was charged with first degree murder Friday morning and held without bail, the morning following his capture the ended a 48-day manhunt.

State police took the unusual step of marching him out of the Pike County courthouse in full view of an angry crowd, who shouted taunts of "you're a coward" and "rot in hell."

District Court Judge Shannon Muir described the charges and the alleged crime, and asked Frein if he understood the charges and that he was facing the death penalty.

"Yes I do," he said.

Frein, 31, was charged with the first degree murder of Pennsylvania state trooper Cpt. Byron Dickson and the attempted murder of two others, as well as possession of weapons of mass destruction.

During the arraignment, Frein wore the handcuffs that had belonged to Dickson.

Frein is being held at Pike County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 12.

Frein was captured Thursday night in a hangar at an abandoned airport in Tannersville, about 30 miles from where he allegedly shot and killed Dickson and critically injuring Trooper Alex Douglass.