| Charles Freeman and Joseph Metz will walk free in a murder case after Harrison County Assistant Prosecutor Laura Pickens agreed to a motion to dismiss the charges against both men without prejudice.
The state met with the families of Maxine Stalnaker and Mary Friend before the status conference to let them know what their intentions were.
The women, traveling together, disappeared from the face of the earth in 1999, with a wide-spread search that extended into Calhoun County.
Due to witness David Hughes, who pleaded guilty to robbery charges in the case, having zero credibility after frequently recanting statements and the fact that investigators have no weapons, no bodies or a crime scene, the case was dropped.
The case is being dropped without prejudice, meaning prosecutors can bring up the charges again if more evidence is found. The state was very adamant in saying it believes Maxine Stalnaker and Mary Friend were victims of foul play.
Freeman's defense objected to the dismissal without prejudice because he spent 430 days in jail without bond. They believe if the state comes up with more evidence, they would be able to put him back in jail without bond. With prejudice would mean the same charges could not be refiled.
Metz's lawyers echoed Freeman's. Metz spent roughly 576 days in jail, plus 50 on the initial charge.
Judge Jacob Reger said the court reviewed the detailed, 20-page motion by the state and said, "It's in the court's discretion to dismiss this case without prejudice."
| 
