SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - A Pennsylvania judge has denied a request to drop murder charges against a former part-time police officer.

The Times-Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/2dy5crQ ) a Lackawanna County judge ruled Tuesday that prosecutors presented enough evidence to support claims that former Carbondale officer Francis Schulze acted with intent and malice in the February death of 34-year-old Joe Molinaro.Police say the incident began when Schulze confronted Molinaro and his girlfriend outside the officer's Carbondale home. They say Molinaro fled the area on foot and Schulze followed him, ultimately shooting him twice.Schulze's attorney says his client acted in self-defense because Molinaro lunged at him.The judge noted that witnesses testified that Molinaro was seven to 15 feet away from Schulze when he shot him.Schulze's trial begins on Jan. 17.---Information from: The Times-Tribune,

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