Judge orders Eric Frein to stand trial

A judge ordered that the suspect accused of ambushing two Pennsylvania state troopers and igniting a state-wide manhunt will stand trial.

NBC News reported that after a preliminary hearing and seeing video of the attacks on the troopers, a judge ruled Monday that there was enough evidence for Eric Frein to stand trial.

The 31-year-old is accused of shooting the troopers during a shift change back in September at their barracks in Pike County. Prosecutors said he fatally shot Cpl. Bryon Dickson and wounded Trooper Alex Douglass before fleeing the scene.

The Associated Press noted that the surveillance footage showed the moment both men were struck by the bullets and Dickson falling to the ground after the fatal shot.

In the days following the shooting, police named Frein a suspect and hundreds of officers joined in the search for him. After nearly 5o days, he was found by U.S. Marshals in an abandoned airfield and detained.

Law enforcement authorities said that he confessed to the crimes.

He has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Dickson’s widow was present for the hearing.