Man charged in death of MPD Officer Matthew Rittner heading to trial

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - The man charged in the shooting death of Milwaukee Police Officer Matthew Rittner appeared before a judge Monday morning for the last time until his trial next month.

Judge Jeffrey Wagner ruled the jury would not be fully sequestered during the trial, but they would be sequestered during the day.

Judge Wagner says that could change during the course of the trial though. 

Wagner says the jury will be instructed not to use any social media, read newspapers or watch the news during the July trial.

Jordan Fricke pleaded not guilty to the shooting death of Officer Matthew Rittner.

According to the criminal complaint, Rittner and other officers were executing a search warrant for illegal guns and drugs when Fricke shot through his door killing Rittner.

Fricke is charged with several felonies, including first degree murder.

Wagner says in other similar high-profile cases the jury was not fully sequestered, so he says it's not necessary in this case.

"We didn't sequester in those cases either and a jury was able to be picked and I don't think there's going to be a question of any type of unfairness," Wagner said. 

The attorneys will go to the scene of the crime on July 1st to collect information about the case leading up to the trial.

The trial is set to begin on July 8th.