Trial begins for former Culpeper officer accused of bizarre traffic stop murder

Culpeper, VA (WTVR) – Jury selection is now underway in the trial of former Culpeper Police officer Daniel Harmon-Wright.

Harmon-Wright is charged with murder, malicious shooting into an occupied vehicle, malicious shooting into an occupied vehicle resulting in a death, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in the death of 54-year-old Patricia Ann Cook.

He’s accused of shooting Cook seven times in the parking lot of a Culpeper church in February of 2012. Police say Cook was unarmed at the time.

Harmon-Wright claimed he shot Cook after she drove off after a traffic stop, dragging him with her Jeep.

Harmon-Wright was fired after he was indicted on murder charges last summer. His trial is expected to last two weeks.

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• Trial date set for Culpeper officer accused in bizarre traffic stop shooting