Prosecutors seek death penalty for Frein

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Eric Frein, the man accused of shooting two Pennsylvania state troopers in Pike County in September.

Though Pike County District Attorney Raymond J. Tonkin had said he intended to seek the death penalty in the case, he made it official by filing a formal notice in court Tuesday.

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

A formal arraignment is scheduled for Thursday afternoon at Pike County Court in Milford.

Frein is charged with killing Cpl. Bryon Dickson and wounding Trooper Alex Douglass outside the barracks in Blooming Grove on Sept. 12. The 31-year-old Canadensis man also faces charges for terrorism and possession of explosive devices.

Frein evaded capture in the woods of Pike and Monroe Counties for 48 days following the ambush. The state police, FBI, and other law enforcement agencies descended on the Poconos for a massive manhunt.

He has been held without bail in the Pike County prison since his arrest Oct. 30.