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U.S. Marshal Explains Frein’s Injuries

POCONO TOWNSHIP — We’re learning more about the moments that led up to accused cop killer Eric Frein’s arrest. When we got our first look at E...

POCONO TOWNSHIP -- We're learning more about the moments that led up to accused cop killer Eric Frein's arrest.

When we got our first look at Eric Frein after his arrest the questions began. Photos showed a cut on his nose and bruises on his face.

State police said there was no struggle with law enforcement at the time of his arrest. They claimed Frein's injuries occurred during those 48 days in the woods.

But the U.S. Marshal who found Frein has a different story.

We know now that 11 marshals took down Frein the night of his capture. The special ops team was assigned to search the abandoned Birchwood resort near Tannersville.

During the routine search, U.S. Marshal Scott Malkowski said he spotted one of America's most wanted criminals by chance.

"He turned towards me. I identified myself as law enforcement. I told him to get on the ground. He proned out. He was about five feet away. I said, 'Who are you? What's your name?' He said, 'Eric Frein,'" Malkowski said.

The U.S. Marshal said at that point Frein looked sad and defeated.

Hours later, the public got their first glimpse of Frein, showing some injuries to his face.

State police said his face was that way when they got to the scene, but that's because the U.S. Marshals got to Frein first.

Malkowski said he can explain the injures.

He said that happened as he secured Frein on an asphalt runway.

"Sometimes when we take people into custody we have to take drastic measures. Especially when he killed a fellow officer, we weren't messing around," Malkowski said.

Even after that U.S. Marshal admitted that he took Frein's face to the asphalt, people still had questions. Newswatch 16 spoke to some people who live in the Poconos. While some said they agree with what the Marshal did, others said it could have been a lot worse.

"That's the least they could have done and now he'll be brought to justice and that's what I was hoping for a capture, not a kill,"said Donna Muscolini of Tobyhanna.

"I'm glad he wasn't killed. Getting your face shoved to the ground is a very small price to pay," said Emily Grebb of Canadensis.

"It's wrong, but what Frein did was wrong. But two wrongs doesn't make a right."

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