The man accused in ambushing state troopers in September has a new attorney, who is no stranger to difficult capital cases.
Eric Frein is behind bars in the Poconos, accused of killing a Pennsylvania state trooper and seriously injuring another in an ambush attack at the State Police Blooming Grove barracks in September.
It is s a case that grabbed national attention and led to a 48-day manhunt in the woods of the Poconos.
Now, attorney Bill Ruzzo of Luzerne County has signed on to represent Frein.
Newswatch 16 spoke with Ruzzo last year after he was called in to help represent Rockne Newell, a man who stands accused of opening fire on a township meeting in Monroe County last year, killing three people.
"The first priority is to save our client's life and we would go from there," said Ruzzo at the time.
Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty against Eric Frein.
Ruzzo has defended people in more than 20 capital cases.
He worked to defend George Banks' right to live; Banks is the man convicted of murdering 13 people in Luzerne County in 1982.
Banks was sentenced to death, but later declared too mentally ill to execute.
While it may surprise people, Ruzzo says he feels privileged to defend those facing the possibility of death.
"You play the hand that you are dealt, the evidence is overwhelming, you plea. Everyone is entitled to a trial and everyone is entitled to a defense that you can give them. If it's a death penalty case, that may be saving the person's life is the best defense you can give them," he said.
Frein's next court appearance is scheduled for January 5th at the Pike County Courthouse for a preliminary hearing.