Evidence ruling delays former Forest City officer's trial

FOREST CITY, Iowa (AP) - A judge has ruled out a key piece of evidence against a former Forest City police officer, delaying his second trial.

Judge Dedra Schroeder made the ruling Wednesday before the trial of Thaddeus Ellenbecker could begin. Schroeder ruled that there was no probable cause for a search that turned up a stolen rifle, so the rifle was ruled inadmissible as evidence. Prosecutors say they'll appeal the judge's ruling.

In May the Iowa Court of Appeals ordered a new trial for Ellenbecker because officers didn't read Ellenbecker his Miranda rights. Ellenbecker was convicted in 2012 of arson and burglary. He is accused of setting a fire that damaged the Forest City police station in October 2011. Authorities say he stole an assault rifle from a squad car in November 2010.