KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Charges against a Kirksville couple accused of sex crimes, have been dropped. Adair County Prosecutor Matt Wilson issued a statement that said further investigation shows the victim's allegations to be unproven.
The two suspects in a local sex crimes case were released on their own recognizance following a court hearing in Kirksville Tuesday.
After listening to testimony from three witnesses that seemed to indicate the alleged victim had made false accusations, Judge Russell Steele ordered the release of Joseph Christman, 39, and Lindsay Christman, 29, of Kirksville.
The couple is accused of sexual incidents last fall involving a female under the age of 17.
Adair County Prosecutor Matt Wilson told KTVO the evidence that came out in court Tuesday will provide a difficult and uphill battle for him if he decides to proceed with the case.
"Certainly we learned a lot of things for the first time today (Tuesday) that put a lot of key statements and key evidence in jeopardy or at very questionable position at this time,” said Wilson. “What I'm going to do now is, I need to follow up with a couple of those witnesses and track down and find out what they say, the other side of the story, and really exhaust all of our avenues of investigation to make sure the right thing happens."
Prior to Tuesday’s hearing, the Christmans had been held on $25,000 cash only bond.
They were released on their own recognizance from the Adair County Jail Tuesday afternoon.
Their next court date is set for May 7 when they will be arraigned in Adair County Circuit Court.
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