ROCHESTER, MN – Testimony has started in the trial of suspended Austin Police Captain Curt Rude.
Rude is accused of taking two bottles of the painkiller OxyContin from the APD evidence room on Nov. 6, 2007 — the same day he was elected to the Austin School Board, a position he still holds.
Austin Police officer Joe Milli was the first to take the witness stand, telling the jury about how he noticed Rude with the evidence while in the Austin Police Department kitchen.
Rude is charged with felony theft and felony fifth-degree drug possession. He also faces a gross misdemeanor for allegedly interfering with property in official custody.
Rude pleaded not guilty to all counts in early 2008. His Attorney, Peter Wild, told the jury during opening statements that Rude did not violate department protocol when taking the drug from the evidence room.
KIMT News 3's Kelly Becker is in the courtroom. She'll have the latest on this trial coming up on KIMT News 3 at 5 and 6.
