BOONE COUNTY, Ark. — Prosecutors in Boone County are dropping charges against a former Omaha High School principal accused in the death of his wife.

Court documents show Rocky Dodson was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife Amanda, who also worked at Omaha schools, in 2022.

At a press conference on Friday, Boone County Prosecutor David Ethredge said the medical examiner’s initial findings were that Amanda Dodson’s death was not accidental. Now, Ethredge says new information has led in a different direction.

“Based on what we know, and based on the position that the Arkansas State Crime Lab through Dr. Cunningham has taken and other people that we have had look at this case now, it is our position that we cannot meet the burden that we have to move forward in a jury trial in this case,” Ethredge said.

While the charges against Rocky Dodson are being dropped, prosecutors added that the case will remain open in the event new information comes to light.

A jury trial was initially scheduled for March 2023, but Rocky Dodson’s attorney, Shane Wilkinson, filed for a continuance. Wilkinson said in his motion that more time was needed to investigate the facts of the case.

Since then, Rocky Dodson’s defense attorneys have had additional experts take a look at the situation, according to prosecutors, prompting the Arkansas State Crime Lab to re-examine the evidence.