Frein hearing postponed

By Nathan mayberg
MILFORD — Eric Frein, the 31-year-old Canadensis man accused of shooting two troopers in an ambush at the Blooming Grove barracks, has still not made a plea to the charges since his capture Oct. 30.

Frein, who eluded police for nearly seven weeks, was scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing in Pike County District Court on Nov. 12. That date has been continued to Dec. 9, according to Magisterial Judge Shannon Muir's Office.

Frein was arraigned last week on charges he murdered State Police Corporal Bryon Dickson and wounded trooper Alex Douglass outside the Blooming Grove barracks in September. Frein is also accused of shooting at a third trooper who came to their aid.

The alleged gunman was not represented at his initial court date by an attorney and did not enter a plea.

He is being represented out of the Pike County Public Defender's Office by attorneys Robert Bernathy and Michael Weinstein. A representative from the office said the attorneys would not be commenting on the case.

Pike County District Attorney Raymond Tonkin is seeking the death penalty against Frein. He has also charged Frein with possession of bombs, which were found in the woods during the search for Frein.

Frein was caught by U.S. Marshalls in the early evening of Oct. 30 near an airport hangar near the abandoned Birchwood-Pocono Airpark hangar near the former Birchwood Resort in Tannersville.