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Frein due in court Friday, prosecutors seeking death penalty

Alleged cop killer Eric Frein was arraigned Friday morning on first degree murder charges.

By Gabrielle Levy
Accused cop killer Eric Frein is seen in a police vehicle in this ABC-TV 6 screen shot.
Accused cop killer Eric Frein is seen in a police vehicle in this ABC-TV 6 screen shot.

PIKE COUNTY, Pa., Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Suspected cop killer Eric Frein was due in court for arraignment Friday morning, just hours after police caught up with him to end a seven-week manhunt.

Frein, 31, was scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. at the Pike County Courthouse, where he will face charges including first degree murder and homicide of a law enforcement officer. Both crimes are capital offenses.

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Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin said at a press conference Thursday night he had also filed attempted murder, possession of weapons of mass destruction and reckless endangerment charges.

Tonkin said he will seek the death penalty.

Frein was captured Thursday night in a hangar at an abandoned airport in Tannersville, about 30 miles from where he allegedly shot and killed one Pennsylvania state trooper and injured another. The U.S. Marshals who arrested him used the handcuffs that had belonged to slain trooper Cpl. Bryon Dickson, and drove him away in Dickson's patrol car.

"He was definitely surprised," said state police commissioner Frank Noonan. Frein was unarmed he said, and "gave up because he was caught and had no choice but to give up."

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"When they approached it (the hangar), they saw an individual that they thought was Eric Frein, and they ordered him to surrender, to get down on his knees and raise his hands, which is what he did. Once they approached him, he admitted his identity and he was taken into custody."

The 48-day manhunt had put deep strain on the residents of the Poconos, with numerous alleged sightings over the thousands of acres of the search area. Authorities canceled Halloween activities earlier this week, but they were restored after Frein was arrested.

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