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Pittsburgh Planning Ahead For Possible Protests At Rosfeld Trial

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The trial of the former police officer Michael Rosfeld, accused of killing Antwon Rose is scheduled to begin next week, and the city is taking steps to prepare.

The jurors are being chosen from Dauphin County, but the trial is being held in Pittsburgh.

One of the main duties of Pittsburgh Public Safety officials is to plan and be prepared for upcoming events on public streets. They clearly remember what happened when Rose was shot last summer, and they want to be prepared in case the demonstrations return.

protestors
Photo Credit: KDKA

Last year protestors took to the streets of Downtown Pittsburgh on an almost regular basis and voiced their displeasure in the shooting death of 17-year-old Rose by Rosfeld, then of the East Pittsburgh Police Department. They shut down city streets and blocked intersections, often during the evening rush hour.

City officials are concerned it could happen again when Rosfeld goes on trial for homicide on March 19 at the Allegheny County Courthouse.

Pittsburgh's Emergency Management is meeting with some Downtown businesses Tuesday to prepare them for possible unrest as well as St. Patrick's Day, the NCAA wrestling championships at PPG Arena, the Pittsburgh Marathon, Pride events and the trial, Public Safety spokesman Chris Tognieri told KDKA's Bob Allen in an email.

Rosfeld was charged with homicide after shooting Rose, who was unarmed and running away on June 19.

"In light of the upcoming trial, we are preparing for some inconveniences similar to what Pittsburgh experienced last summer," Tognieri said.

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