Thaddeus Ellenbecker arson trial underway - KXLT - Fox 47 Rochester MN News, Weather and Sports

FOREST CITY, Iowa (FOX 47) -- The trial of former Forest City, Iowa, police officer Thaddeus Ellenbecker got underway in Winnebago County Court Tuesday morning. He is accused of starting a fire that damaged the police station and stealing another officer's shotgun.

The trial was originally moved out of the county because of pre-trial publicity, only to finally get going in the town where it all happened.

Thaddeus Ellenbecker is charged with second-degree arson and second-degree burglary.

The arson took place in October 2011 when he allegedly set fire to the evidence room of the police station and damaged significant portions of the building.

Ellenbecker originally denied any responsibility in the matter, which led to a confrontation at his home later that month with the Department of Criminal Investigation after officers saw Ellenbecker with a gun.

"Agent Peterson had come to our location and heard the yelling that was going on," explained DCI Agent Chris Calloway during his testimony. "He had come around the apartment complex and had entered into the entry way and had seen the gun in the defendant's hands and shot him."

Ellenbecker was shot in the leg during the incident. It was a non-fatal wound.

Ellenbecker later confessed to a DCI agent at the hospital to the arson, but his attorney is objecting to the use of that confession as evidence.

We will bring you the latest as it becomes available.