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A former Punta Gorda police officer accused of fatally shooting a 73-year-old woman during a training exercise appeared in court Thursday. Lee Coel faces charges of first-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of retired librarian Mary Knowlton during a “shoot, don’t shoot” scenario in August 2016. While the state wants to keep the trial in Charlotte County, the defense argued jurors would have a bias due to too much pre-trial publicity of the case. The judge did not make an immediate decision to move the trial, but mentioned Lee or Collier counties could be an option. More: Board denies disability pension for former Punta Gorda officer The judge granted the defense’s request to dismiss any mention of a 2015 incident that involved Coel releasing his K9 on a man riding his bicycle with no lights. The man, who later faced charges of attempting to elude an officer, violation of probation, DUI on a bicycle and obstructing an officer without violence, was rushed to the hospital where he stayed for 11 days undergoing surgery. More: Man sues Punta Gorda police over K-9 takedown The police department hired an outside expert to review the incident. He determined the use of force was justified due to the man’s repeated non-compliance and possible threatening gestures.