Lawyer Makes Conflict Claim in Lake of the Ozarks Drowning Case

An attorney for a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper who criticized the agency after a handcuffed Iowa man fell from a patrol boat and drowned in the Lake of the Ozarks says it is a conflict for state Attorney General Chris Koster to represent police in a lawsuit involving his client.

The Kansas City Star reports Koster is representing several patrol members in a lawsuit related to the drowning of Brandon Ellingson. Because Sgt. Randy Henry is a witness for the plaintiffs, attorney Chet Pleban claims Koster's office is "representing everybody who is at odds" with Henry. Pleban has filed a conflict-of-interest motion in the case.

Koster spokeswoman Nanci Gonder said the attorney general's office doesn't discuss pending litigation.

The patrol has said it intends to demote Henry.

Kurt Parsons