8 remain in battle for Prince loot

THE MINNESOTA judge handling Prince’s probate case issued a sweeping ruling Friday that dismissed the claims of more than two dozen wannabe heirs and narrowed the crowded field to eight.

Judge Kevin Eide said 29 people who claimed to be long-lost children, secret siblings or extended family members did not meet the legal standard to demand DNA testing or pursue a claim.

The decision found that only two newcomers would be allowed to continue with their claims and possibly join the six siblings already listed in the probate petition filed by Prince’s sister Tyka Nelson in April.

The two were identified as the daughter and granddaughter of Prince’s disputed half-brother Duane Nelson, who died in 2011.

A lawyer for the prospective female heirs previously identified them as Brianna Nelson, 31, and Victoria Nelson, 11.

Judge Eide ordered DNA testing Friday of Brianna and Victoria along with Prince’s half siblings Norrine Nelson, Sharon Nelson and John Nelson and full sibling Tyka Nelson to determine whether they all share genetics tracing back to Prince’s late father John L. Nelson.

If they do, that would put Brianna, who is Duane’s daughter, and Victoria, who is the daughter of Duane’s late son, in position to share Duane’s cut of the estimated $500 million estate.

Prince was found unresponsive in an elevator at his Paisley Park estate in April. He was 57.