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Prosecutors seek death penalty for accused Pa. trooper killer

By Danielle Haynes

MILFORD, Pa., Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Prosecutors in Pennsylvania intend to seek the death penalty for Eric Frein, who is accused of shooting two state troopers, killing one.

Pike County District Attorney Raymond J. Tonkin's office filed formal notice Tuesday with his plans to seek the death penalty. He intends to formally address his intentions during a formal arraignment Thursday.

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Frein has been charged with first-degree murder for the death of Cpl. Bryon Dickson and attempted murder for the shooting injury to Trooper Alex Douglass. He also faces charges of possession of a weapon of mass destruction and two counts of terrorism.

After the ambush on Dickson and Douglass, Frein is accused of leading authorities on a 48-day manhunt as he allegedly hid out in the woods. He was arrested Oct. 30 and is being held without bail in Pike County, Pa., jail.

"We anticipated that he would file the notice seeking the death penalty, and so it's not a surprise," Michael Weinstein, one of Frein's court-appointed attorneys, told Philly.com.

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