PIKE COUNTY -- Accused trooper killer Eric Frein was in court Friday morning for a pre-trial hearing in Pike County and attorneys agreed to bring in an outside jury for his trial.
Frein was brought into the Pike County Courthouse in Milford just after 6 a.m. Friday.
His defense attorneys don't think he can get a fair trial in a Pike County courtroom with a Pike County jury. That's part of the reason they were in court.
Frein's defense attorneys had previously asked for the trial to be moved out of Pike County.
On Friday morning, they withdrew that request and instead, attorneys on both sides agreed to have a jury from another county brought to Milford.
Attorneys on both sides of the case believe that bringing in a jury from another county is the best thing to do.
"In every trial, it's very important to get this kind of jury. So Eric Frein is no different than anyone else's case. We look for a fair and impartial jury and that means a jury without preconceived notions," said defense attorney Michael Weinstein.
"What we are hopeful is that this will speed the scheduling of the matter and relieve any challenges for the victims in this matter," said Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin.
"We need to get them from a place where we will have no issue with scheduling of the matter and it delaying the case by having to ask probing questions, how much knowledge they have of the case so we can select and impartial jury," Tonkin added.
Rose Fernandez lives in Milford and isn't sure what to think about the agreement.
"If it's in Pike County, I feel like people should be more inclined to be involved because this is where we live, but I mean there is obviously a reason for other people to be involved."
People who live in Pike County don't believe brining jurors from outside of the county to Milford will do any good. In fact, some believe it might cause more of a disruption.
"They are going to be biased no matter who comes and it's a waste of time," said Rena Cmar.
Rena Cmar and her husband are from Paupack. They believe those who were impacted by the manhunt should be allowed to sit on the jury.
"They were involved in it. I mean our schools were closed. Roads were closed. Roads were blocked. It all happened in Pike County more so than anywhere else, and I think we have a right to help decide where he goes."
"They should get people that are very attentive and not biased, but I don't know how you're going to be not biased in that situation," added Joseph Cmar.
State court officials still have to approve the deal and then it will be decided which county the jury will come from.
Frein is accused of shooting two state troopers in an ambush, killing one and wounding the other, outside of the Blooming Grove barracks in September of 2014.
Frein escaped, leading law enforcement on a 48 day manhunt. He pleaded not guilty in 2015.
The Pike County district attorney is seeking the death penalty.
A motion by the defense to keep out certain evidence was also scheduled to be discussed this morning, but that hearing has been put to another date.
