'Survivalist' cop killer Eric Frein who eluded police for seven weeks smartens up for court hearing


  • Eric Frein, 31, 'killed Corporal Bryon Dickson and injured Trooper Alex Douglass as they stood outside their barracks in September'
  • Authorities launched a massive manhunt in the Pocono Mountains for Frein and eventually found him in an abandoned hangar in October
  • He 'told cops he wanted to wake people up and change the government'
  • On Monday, Frein looked smarter as he arrived in court in Milford where a judge will decide if his case should be sent to county court
  • Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty

Eric Frein, the man who eluded police in the Pocono Mountains for seven weeks after shooting dead a trooper and wounding another, today headed to court for a preliminary hearing.
The 31-year-old self-taught 'survivalist' sported neatly combed hair and glasses as he arrived at a Pike County courthouse in Milford, Pennsylvania in handcuffs around 8am on Monday.
It came in stark difference to his appearance following his capture after a lengthy manhunt last year, when he sported a bloodied nose, bruised forehead, straggly hair and a mustache.
At his hearing on Monday, a district judge must decide if there are sufficient grounds to send the case against him to county court.
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Heading to court: Eric Frein, who is accused of shooting dead a trooper and then eluding police for seven weeks, is pictured heading to court in Milford, Pennsylvania on Monday morning
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Audience: People wait in line on Monday to enter the Pike County Courthouse for the hearing
He has been charged with fatally shooting Corporal Bryon Dickson and injuring Trooper Alex Douglass outside their state police station in northeastern Pennsylvania on September 12.
Frein was identified as a suspect shortly after the shootings when a passer-by found his vehicle partially submerged in a small pond near the state police station. 
Authorities launched a massive manhunt for Frein, an expert marksman, across the rural area - blocking roads and terrifying residents.
After weeks of possible sightings and police finding various items belonging to Frein, a team of federal marshals performing a systematic search stumbled across him at an abandoned airplane hangar about 30 miles from the scene of the shooting and were able to arrest him on October 30.
Frein was shackled with Dickson's handcuffs and driven to the police station in Dickson's squad car.
Authorities said Frein confessed to what he described as an assassination designed to 'wake people up' and result in a change in government. 
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Caught: Frein, 31, is pictured looking bruised, bloody and disheveled after his capture in October
Hunt: Authorities launched a massive manhunt for Frein and eventually found him after seven weeks
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Hunt: Authorities launched a massive manhunt for Frein and eventually found him after seven weeks
He faces charges of terrorism, murder and attempted murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
The lengthy hunt for Frein is believed to have cost authorities as much as $11 million. 
Trooper Alex Douglass, who was shot in the pelvis by Frein outside the Blooming Grove barracks, left a rehabilitation center to spend Christmas with family in Lackawanna County.
At the time of his release, Lieutenant Chris Paris said Douglass is in good spirits but has a long way to go with his rehabilitation in New York.
His brother posted a message on his behalf on December 20, with a picture of them together beside a Christmas tree. Douglass was pictured grinning while using crutches to stand.
'Thank you all so much for your love, well wishes, and support!' his message read. ' I have seen all of your posts and truly appreciate how many of you care about me. Happy holidays!'     
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Gunned down: Frein is accused of fatally shooting Corporal Bryon Dickson, left, and injuring Trooper Alex Douglass, right, as they stood outside the Blooming Grove barracks in September
On the mend: Trooper Douglass (pictured center with his brother, right) left a rehab center so that he could spend Christmas with his family. He was shot in the pelvis in the September attack
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On the mend: Trooper Douglass (pictured center with his brother, right) left a rehab center so that he could spend Christmas with his family. He was shot in the pelvis in the September attack


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2896943/Suspect-trooper-shooting-case-heads-court.html#ixzz3NykRqPiK
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