Some at Springfield homeless camp have charges dropped

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Some of the 17 homeless people arrested when police raided a Springfield camp last month will not be charged with trespassing.

The municipal prosecutor said last week charges would be dropped in some cases because investigators couldn't determine which of the campers were given legal notice before being cited.

The Springfield News-Leader reported two people pleaded guilty Thursday to trespassing and one pleaded not guilty. Others at the court were told they won't be charged.

Springfield police went to the camp the day before it was raided and told campers they had 24 hours to leave. Prosecutor Carl Yender said only campers who were noted in police reports as being given prior warning were charged.

He said about seven people had their charges dropped.