One of the three men accused of holding a woman captive in a St. Louis church is 'relieved and excited' after charges were dropped

ST. LOUIS – Charges have been dropped against three men accused of kidnapping a woman and holding her captive in a St. Louis church.

The much-publicized case ended on Friday when prosecutors dropped all charges against Grace Kipendo, Munga Fungamali and Pasi Heri.

Kipendo, one of the accused, shared his feelings exclusively with Robert Townsend of 5 On Your Side.

He and his lawyer maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal. Kipendo said he was overcome with emotion after the charges were dropped.

In February, St. Louis police arrested the trio after a woman reported she was kidnapped and attacked at Mount of Olives Ministry in south St. Louis.

The woman told officers that the men had kidnapped and beaten her. According to a statement of suspicion, officers found the woman tied up with a rope and with a bleeding head.

Kipendo, who served two months in prison and wore a GPS monitoring bracelet for six months, said he still did not know why the woman made these allegations against him.

The monitoring device was removed from his ankle immediately before he spoke to Townsend on Friday. He said it was an emotional moment.

“I had to hold back the tears, I didn’t want to sob in front of everyone,” he said.

Kipendo's lawyer Chris Combs said he was “thrilled” with the outcome.

“I always thought this case was going to fall apart. It was a hasty conviction,” Combs said. “There is no evidence to support the case.”

The reasons for the prosecutor's decision to drop the charges were not disclosed.

The Army lieutenant and father of a newborn baby said he remains confident in his faith despite the ordeal.

When asked if he was confident he could get his life back under control, he said, “With the help of Jesus Christ, I will do it.”

To celebrate the day, Kipendo is planning a barbecue with Fungamali, Heri and their families.