A lawsuit accusing Ray County Prosecuting Attorney Camille Johnston of making defamatory statements about former Ray County Sheriff Scott Childers has been voluntarily dismissed.

Childers and his wife, Kristen, filed the lawsuit in February, alleging Johnston made false statements during a Feb. 14, 2024, Ray County Commission meeting.

Court records show through their attorney, Brian J. Klopfenstein, the couple voluntarily dismissed the case without prejudice on July 8, one day before a scheduled hearing on Johnston’s motion to dismiss. Because the case was dismissed without prejudice, the claims could be refiled in the future.

The scheduled July 9 hearing was canceled and the court never ruled on the merits of the lawsuit or Johnston’s motion to dismiss.

Johnston filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in March, arguing the claims were legally barred. Through attorney Ryan Bertels, Johnston argued the claims against her in her official capacity were barred by sovereign immunity, while the cl…