John Weigler, Brother Of Late Patricia Cook, Talks About Daniel Harmon-Wright And The Murder Trial

1:12 PM, Jan 25, 2013   |    comments
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CULPEPER, Va. (WUSA) -- As the murder trial of former Culpeper police officer Daniel Harmon-Wright continued on Friday, WUSA 9's Peggy Fox caught up with the late Patricia Cook's brother, John Weigler.

Weigler commented on the trial so far, saying, "I think it's going pretty well. I think the trial's been fair. I think everybody's working hard to get to the right answer and I appreciate all that effort."

THURSDAY: Commonwealth's Attorney Jim Fisher Focuses On Daniel Harmon-Wright's 'five other shots' at Patricia Cook

He shared a little about what was going through his mind in court, expressing his love for his sister. "I want justice for her in, not in a heinous way, in a right way. And, I just love my sister," shared Weigler.

Weigler could see Harmon-Wright in court but admitted, "That has to be real controlled viewing, and I don't have hatred towards him. I hope we get to the right answer and he responds accordingly."

Weigler told Peggy Fox he believed that Harmon-Wright should have had his gun taken away or been taken off the police force after being reprimanded before for excessive force. 

MORE: Jury Selection And Info On Harmon-Wright's Letter Of Reprimand

He, however, doesn't blame the police department for what happened to his sister.

Weigler explained, "I don't blame them. I think they need to be held accountable. We're all human, we all do what we do and sometimes we get it right and sometimes we don't. But it's a crazy string of events that lead to this and my mom and I have been dealing with it for a while."

As for the events of that day, he says that it does go through his mind. He can't think of any reason for what happened. "How can you justify 7 shots, several in the back [on] an unarmed woman in the car. You know, that makes no sense to me. It's just excessive brutal force."

Weigler later added, "I have the same questions everybody else does, and I don't have answers to them. Her last minutes were pretty horrible. What she went through is just insane."

As for punishment for Harmon-Wright for his actions that day, Weigler said that "whatever the Commonwealth determines...according to the law" is okay for him. 

A memorial fund has been set up in honor of Sunday school teacher Patricia Cook. The funds will be used to send Christian children to summer camp. Donations can be sent to Culpeper United Methodist Church Pat Cook Fund, 1223 Oaklawn Drive, Culpeper, VA 22701.

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