U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey said Wednesday lawyers for Brandon Ellingson’s family hadn’t proved that commanders and patrol officials conspired to cover up the cause of Ellingson’s death at the lake. Ellingson drowned after he fell from a patrol boat.
The decision means counts against individual commanders have been dismissed.
One count against the state of Missouri and the patrol is still active. Also still active and headed for trial in October in Jefferson City are several counts against Trooper Anthony Piercy, who says his training was inadequate.