Mo. prosecutor drops case against Saudi national accused of paying roommate to kill bar owner

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A central Missouri prosecutor has dismissed charges against a Saudi national accused of paying his roommate to kill a Warrensburg bar owner.

Johnson County prosecutor Lynn Stoppy announced Friday that evidence from a critical witness had changed and the state was left with insufficient evidence to prosecute 24-year-old Ziyad Abid.

He had been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the Sept. 1 death of bar owner Blaine Whitworth.

His case generated national attention when a judge refused to release him after the Saudi government posted $2 million bail.