A judge Friday dismissed the 29-year-old first-degree murder case against Ralph Armstrong, citing what he said were repeated violations by prosecutors of a court order concerning evidence in the case and a failure to tell Armstrong’s lawyers about his brother’s purported confession nearly 15 years ago.
But Armstrong, 56, who has been in prison for nearly 30 years, won’t be immediately released. Reserve Judge Robert Kinney stayed his order for 20 days to allow prosecutors to decide on an appeal. Armstrong’s legal status in New Mexico is also in question, although his attorney, Jerome Buting, said he believes authorities there will ultimately decide not to hold him.
Armstrong was convicted in the rape and murder of UW-Madison student Charise Kamps, 19, who was found dead in her Downtown apartment on June 24, 1980, after a night of partying with Armstrong and others.