Father of Drowned Man to Attend Sentencing of MO Highway Patrol Trooper in Versailles

The father of a 20-year old man who drowned in a Missouri lake while he was handcuffed will be able to attend the sentencing of a highway patrol trooper involved in the case.

The Associated Press reports that Craig Ellingson, the father of Brandon Ellingson, of Clive, Iowa, was concerned last week that a judge’s schedule would prevent him from speaking at the sentencing for Trooper Anthony Piercy.

The Kansas City Star reports that a judge rescheduled the hearing for September 19, in Versailles, MO, which will allow Ellingson to attend.

According to the report, Piercy avoided an involuntary manslaughter trial by pleading guilty in June to the misdemeanor boating violation.

In May 2014, Piercy pulled Brandon Ellingson over on the Lake of the Ozarks. The report says that Ellingson drowned after he was thrown from the boat while wearing an improperly secured life vest.