Murder trial in 2017 Nebraska prison riot ends in mistrial

Eric Ramos (NE Dept. of Corrections Photo)

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) — A mistrial has been declared in the case against an inmate who had pleaded not guilty to murder in connection with a 2017 prison uprising in southeast Nebraska.

The trial of 27-year-old Eric Ramos ended Monday after the judge learned that three prison investigators, who are all witnesses in the case, met over the weekend in violation of a court order.

Prosecutors will decide whether to refile charges against Ramos. He was accused of killing 31-year-old Michael Galindo during a violent outbreak at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution.

The bodies of Galindo and 39-year-old Damon Fitzgerald were found after authorities restored order.

Authorities have said the uprising began because inmates were angry that prison staffers had confiscated 150 pounds (68 kilograms) of homemade alcohol from them.