Jury Selection Begins For Somerville Man Accused Of Killing Cop

YARMOUTH, MA — Jury selection began Monday for a Somerville man accused of killing a police officer and wounding his K-9 on Cape Cod three years ago.

Thomas Latanowich, 32, was charged with first-degree murder, mistreating a police dog and seven other charges in connection to the fatal shooting of Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon. The jury selection for Latanowich's trial in Barnstable Superior Court is expected to take about a week, with 50 potential jurors being called each day. Testimonies are slated to begin Monday.

Gannon was shot while he and six other officers were serving a warrant at a Marstons Mills home on April 12, 2018. Cape & Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe said Latanowich opened fire on Gannon and K-9 Nero while they were searching the attic, shooting Gannon in the head and hitting Nero in the face and neck. Nero recovered from his injuries.

A two-hour standoff ensued, during which Latanowich frantically called his ex-girlfriend, saying "I love you. I killed a cop," authorities said. He ultimately surrendered to police.

Latanowich has a criminal record that includes more than 100 charges, many of which have been dismissed. His lawyer, Joseph Krowski Jr., argued last year his client should be facing involuntary manslaughter or second degree murder charges, rather than first degree murder.

Krowski said the grand jury pool was "poisoned" by information about Latanowich's lengthy criminal past, NBC 10 Boston reported.

One of Latanowich's recent arrests was in December 2016 when police said he stalked a man and stabbed him in Hyannis. His record also includes a variety of drug and assault charges.