Federal judge dismisses conspiracy claims in Brandon Ellingson death

A federal judge has dismissed claims of a conspiracy by the Missouri State Highway Patrol in connection with the drowning of Brandon Ellingson in 2014.

Ellingson’s parents filed a claim in court, saying the Highway Patrol denied them access to information in the case. On Thursday, the judge ruled Ellingson’s parents didn’t have enough evidence to prove a conspiracy happened.

Ellingson drowned while in Highway Patrol custody at the Lake of the Ozarks. Anthony Piercy, the trooper who had custody of Ellingson, faces a civil rights violation charge in the case. He is appealing a judge’s decision not to dismiss that charge.