The murder trial of 31-year-old Thomas Latanowich is underway in Barnstable Superior Court.
Latanowich is accused of shooting 32-year-old Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon in April of 2018 as Gannon, and his police dog Nero, attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Latanowich at a house in Marstons Mills.
Sixteen jurors including alternates have been seated for the trial which is expected to last three weeks or more.
First Assistant District Attorney Michael Trudeau will present the prosecution's case and Joseph Krowski will lead Latanowich's defense.
In pretrial motions, Krowski argued that the trial should be held off-Cape where more potential jurors would not be as aware of the details of the case. Judge Jeffrey Locke denied that motion.
Barnstable Superior Court Clerk Magistrate Scott Nickerson tells CAI he has not seen such interest in a trial on Cape Cod since the 2006 trial of Christopher McCowen, who was convicted of the murder of fashion writer Christa Worthington of Wellfleet.
Nickerson said seats in the courtroom will be scarce, and on a first-come-first served basis.
Gannon's death led to an outpouring of support in the community. A candlelight vigil was held at Yarmouth police headquarters and thousands of police officers turned out for Gannon's funeral.
The incident also led to legislation called Nero's Law, now before the Massachusetts Legislature, that would allow emergency medical personnel to treat and transport police dogs wounded in action. Nero was seriously wounded but survived.
Because of the tremendous public interest in the trial, the Court has said it will be available on Zoom at the following Meeting ID: 160 5830 7364. No passcode is needed.
