Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley is recommending that charges be dismissed against a man who has served nearly 20 years in prison for the death of a southeast Missouri woman.

Hawley announced Monday that his office is recommending David Robinson of Sikeston be released from prison. Robinson has been behind bars since 2001 for the killing of Sheila Box, who was shot to death after leaving a Sikeston bar.

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled May 1 that Robinson's constitutional rights had been violated during the investigation into Box's death and during his trial.

Prosecutors presented no physical evidence tying Robinson to the crime and two key witnesses recanted statements that Robinson was the killer. Another man confessed to the murder in 2004 but the confession was never introduced as evidence.

It was not immediately clear when Robinson will be released from prison.