Eric Frein, accused of ambushing two state troopers in Pennsylvania on Sept. 12, heads to court today, and a judge will determine whether or not he should be charged with murder and terrorism and sent to trial. Frein is accused of shooting two state troopers outside the Blooming Grove state police barracks, wounding Trooper Alex Douglass and killing Cpl. Bryon Dickson. He eluded federal agents and state police in the Pocono Mountains for 48 days before finally being captured on Oct. 30 at an abandoned airplane hangar.

On the night of his arrest, Frein admitted that he had shot the two Pennsylvania state troopers in what he described as an assassination intended to “wake people up” and result in a change in government. However, Frein’s attorney says that the has not determined whether his statements were obtained and recorded legally, and if they actually amount to a confession.

Frein, an expert marksman, became a suspect when a passer-by found his vehicle partly submerged in a pond near the state police station shortly after the shootings. During the ensuing manhunt there were numerous sightings of the fugitive reported. He was finally arrested about 30 miles from the scene of the shooting.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Today’s hearing is being held in the Pike County Courthouse in Milford, Pennsylvania. Prosecutors are expected to call witnesses and present evidence, which could provide the most information so far in the case that drew national attention during the manhunt. Frein’s court-appointed lawyers have said they intend to explore whether the publicity involved in the search and eventual arrest will affect their client’s ability to get a fair trial from local jurors.

Lawyers for Frein have entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf, and said they have only begun to explore the evidence, including the alleged confession. Michael Weinstein, one of his attorneys, says he is going to have to hear whether it was recorded or just oral, and under what circumstances it was given. One question is whether Frein was denied access to an attorney.

Frien’s family initially retained Jim Swetz to represent him. Swetz, who is no longer involved in the case, said he worked to ensure that Frein’s rights were honored. However, Swetz was not permitted to see Frein when he arrived at the state police barracks after Frein’s arrest, something his current attorneys are investigating.

The affidavit states that prior to the interview and the alleged confession Frein was advised of his constitutional right to remain silent and have an attorney present, but he apparently did neither. District attorney for Pike County Raymond J. Tonkin said that the police are not obligated to notify a defendant if an attorney is waiting to speak with them.

These details are not expected to arise at Monday’s hearing. David Rudovsky, a noted civil rights and defense attorney, said that at this point prosecutors only need to prove that a murder occurred and that it is “at least probable” that Frein was the killer.

Frein is also facing charges of possessing explosive devices that police say were found in the woods during the manhunt. Other evidence presented in police affidavits include journal entries describing the attack at the police barracks which police found among his belongings. After the arrest the terrorism charges were added based on Frein’s alleged statements to the police claiming that the shooting was a political assassination.

The search for the accused state trooper murderer cost the state police $11 million, with more than 1,000 law enforcement personnel participating. The FBI had as many as 200 working on the search. Frein has been held at the Pike County Correctional Facility without bail since his arrest.