OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A federal appeals court says six people wrongly convicted in a 1985 slaying in southeast Nebraska should get a new trial in their lawsuit against the officials who prosecuted them.
The 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals said Monday that a jury should decide whether Gage County officials conspired to build the case against the six in the 1985 killing of Helen Wilson in Beatrice.
An initial trial in the lawsuit ended in mistrial in January.
The wrongly convicted individuals - known as the Beatrice Six - served a combined 77 years in prison before DNA testing cleared them in 2008.
The individuals had argued that Gage County investigators recklessly strove to close the case, rather than seek justice. The six also argued Gage County failed to properly train investigators.
© Associated Press
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Holton man killed in Jackson Co crash
Morrill pair arrested on drug, child endangerment charges
Horton City Clerk's resignation accepted Monday
Falls City man sentenced to Federal Prison
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Ground Broken for new Sac and Fox Trad'n Post
Local residents avoid injury in chain reaction crash
Jackson Co traffic stop leads to arrest
One held for past Atchison shooting
90 mph+ downburst winds blamed for Thursday damage
Wamego man sentenced in second fentanyl-related death
Mayetta pair arrested on meth, child endangerment charges
Stolen trailer, 4-wheeler, recovered in Atchison
Early Thursday storms leave damage, outages, locally
Juveniles face charges following Atchison break-in
Atchison Co's Oswald named honorary bailiff for KS Court
LATEST STORIES
Pawnee City School Board approves personnel changes
Hazard mitigation planning meeting set for Atchison County MO
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Senator Slama on tax relief efforts
SE Nebraska March unemployment report
Falls City Career Academy to open during 24-25 school year
Denim Day declared for Nebraska state colleges