Updated

Prosecutors have dismissed four first-degree murder charges against a Missouri man less than two weeks before his trial had been scheduled to begin.

But the Springfield News-Leader (http://sgfnow.co/2hoX7FC ) reports that prosecutors anticipate refiling charges against 49-year-old Scott Goodwin-Bey of Springfield after additional testing is complete.

Chief assistant Greene County prosecutor Todd Myers says a recent ballistic evidence ruling led to the charges being dismissed Tuesday.

The killings happened in November 2014 at an Economy Inn in Springfield. Court documents filed earlier allege that Goodwin-Bey believed the victims had told police about his drug use. Three victims died at the scene and the fourth died several days later.

Goodwin-Bey was convicted of a federal gun charge in October and will remain in custody.

___

Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.news-leader.com