Poplawski's Vest Stopped Police Rounds

Pittsburgh Police Officer Stephen Mayhle likely got off eight shots in a gun battle inside Richard Poplawski's home before he was killed.

Detective Blase Kraeer, who collected evidence from the scene following the fatal shooting of three officers, gave the testimony on Wednesday during Poplawski's trial. Poplawski, 24, is accused of capital murder in the ambush deaths of Mayhle and two other officers who responded to his Stanton Heights home, following a 911 call by his mother.

Officers Eric G. Kelly, 41, Stephen J. Mayhle, 29, and Paul J. Sciullo II, 36, died in the ensuing shootout.

One of Officer Mayhle's eight, .40-caliber rounds was recovered from Poplawski's vest. Investigators also matched casings found inside the home with Mayhle's service weapon.

In other testimony given Thursday, personal pictures from Poplawski's laptop were shown of Poplawski wearing a ballistic vest and holding a handgun. Also jurors heard about the websites Poplawski visited in the hours before the shooting. They included Stormfront.org, which is a white nationalist website and discussion board.

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, WTAE

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