Prosecutors dismissed charges against a man who went on trial twice on child rape charges.

The history of the case against North Whidbey resident Charles Ringer is long, complex and, ultimately, equivocal. He has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation and proceedings.

Originally charged in 2019, Ringer went to trial in Island County Superior Court in November 2020 on charges of rape of a child in the second and third degree. The jury, however, deadlocked and the judge declared a mistrial.

Earlier this year, prosecutors retried 75-year-old Ringer on additional charges of rape of a child in the first, second and third degree and child molestation in the first degree. But once again, the jury deadlocked.

Ringer was accused of repeatedly raping his stepdaughter during the years of 2012 to 2015, when she was 11 to 15 years old. In addition, he was accused of molesting his biological daughter in 2002, when she was 11 years old. The allegations involving his biological daughter were not included in the first trial.

Prosecutors could have chosen to retry Ringer again, but elected to dismiss the charges Monday. The charges were dismissed without prejudice, which means they could be refiled in the future.

Ringer is still facing a civil lawsuit brought by his stepdaughter.