Diary reveals fugitive's fears and hardships

By Marilyn Rosenthal
MILFORD — What's it like hiding in the woods as more than a thousand officers swarm the area looking for you?
More of the flip spiral notebook allegedly belonging to Eric Frein was presented in court Wednesday, as his capital trial continue through its second week. The jottings, which prosecutors say is in Frein's handwriting, revealed the writer's fragile emotional state and the physical discomforts he endured as the days grew colder and food more scarce.
Trooper Gerald Gustas Jr. lead the forensics team that documented evidence found in the abandoned hangar where Frein was captured. He read from its pages:
"Had to run. Jeep got stuck. Tracked SW to stream."
"Made bridge, got lost in development, took PL (Promised Land) trail up to 84. too much activity to cross."
"Slept all day in abandoned camp."
"Ate for the first time in three days."
"Rang home twice to let them know I'm still alive." (He had a cell phone with him.)
"Sept. 24, got a bath. Slept like a human for first time in two weeks. Spent hour listening to classic music on laptop — made me cry."
"Oct. 1 — claims there are 1,000 searchers."
"Massive search — Cannot last forever. Too much activity."
"Tried fasting today till 9 p.m. Temp 38. Too cold. Had to eat something hot."
"Oct. 7 — Lasted longer than I expected."
"Jesus Christ, Son of God. Have mercy on me, a sinner."
"Tried to get some food tonight. Good chance I'll get caught."
"Oct. 25 — I broke into a place today. Tried not to damage anything. Got some beans. Lord have mercy! Christ have mercy!"
Three pages ripped from a notebook attributed to Frein were presented as evidence on Monday. Its notes alluded to an escape: “Ran back to Jeep, hit a road block, pulled into a development I knew had a half–finished access road. Disaster!”
Tubs of evidenceMore items, in addition to the notebook, were found in the hangar at the defunct Birchwood-Pocono Airpark, where Frein was found and arrested by U.S. Marshals on Oct. 30, 2014.
The evidence was first presented in a series of photos of the hanger, where Frein allegedly slept, ate, cooked, shaved, cleaned his guns, did calculations, and hand-made conversion tables from meters to yards. There was also a mil-dot table, which is used to calculate sight ranges — how far away something or someone is — for rifles, scopes, and binoculars.
Many of the items were presented in the courtroom. First Assistant District Attorney Bruce DeSarro kept going over to two huge plastic tubs containing the actual physical items previously shown in photos. For example, he took out two carefully boxed rifles and showed each to the defense team, then asked Gustas to open each one separately. This continued with other items, such as a tarp, compass, and radio.
Some of the items Gustas showed photos of include:
Electric tape
Twine
Candles
Pistol and holster
Binoculars
Magazines for rifles
Bullets
Two rifles (found in hangar's loft)
Flashlight
Batteries
Gloves
Propane element for cooking
Rice
Beans
Shaving kit
First aid kit
Buckets of water
Water bottles
Nail clippers
Bed
Camouflage tarp
Camo jacket
Several hats
Portable radio and weather
Band receiver