Trooper charged in Brandon Ellingson drowning case

A special prosecutor has filed charges against a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooperin the Brandon Ellingson drowning case.

The prosecutor made the announcementin Versailles Friday. Special Prosecutor William Seay said he filed felony involuntary manslaughter charges against Anthony Piercy Friday.

The court tracking website VineLink Friday afternoon says Piercy has bonded out of the Moniteau County Jail.

Ellingson drowned while in Highway Patrol custody at the Lake of the Ozarks in May 2014.

Piercy pulled Ellingson over for boating while intoxicated. Ellingson later drowned after falling out of the boat while in handcuffs.

Piercy was originally not charged in Ellingson’s death.

Several developments came about after Ellingson’s death, specifically after this special report into the Highway Patrol’s handling of the case by former ABC 17 News reporter, Heather Hourigan.

A House Committee met on the Highway Patrol’s improvements to the water division back in October.