By Radio Iowa’s Dar Danielson
A federal judge in Kansas City has thrown out part of a lawsuit in the death of an Iowan at a Missouri Lake.
The judge dismissed charges that the commanders with the Missouri State Highway Patrol conspired to cover up evidence in the death of 20-year-old Brandon Ellingson from Clive. The judge says the family failed to prove the conspiracy after Ellingson drowned when he fell from a patrol boat at the Lake of the Ozarks two years ago. Elingson was handcuffed and his life jacket came off.
One civil charge remains against the state of Missouri and several against Trooper Anthony Piercy, who was driving the boat. The case is scheduled to go to trial in October.
