MN Supreme Court Upholds Conviction of Man Who Killed Mendota Heights Officer Scott Patrick

The Minnesota Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of the man found guilty of killing Mendota Heights Police Officer Scott Patrick in 2014.

Minnesota News Network reported that Brian Fitch, 41, argued he should have been tried in the county where the alleged offense occurred. Patrick was killed in the Dakota County city of West St. Paul during a traffic stop.

Fitch’s trial was moved to Stearns County because due to publicity reasons.

The court ruled against Fitch on both accounts:

1. The district court’s application of Minn. Stat. § 628.41 (2014) to appellant’s case did not violate appellant’s right, under Article I, Section 6, of the Minnesota Constitution, to be tried by a jury of the county or district in which the alleged offense occurred.

2. The district court did not commit reversible error by declining to sever the first-degree murder charge from the other charges against appellant.