Koster’s office has said it has no legal authority to reopen the investigation after the Nodaway County prosecutor dropped charges against two teenage boys who had been accused of sexually assaulting two younger girls.

House Speaker Tim Jones said Tuesday that he believes Koster does have authority to intervene in the case.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder said Koster and the local prosecutor should ask a circuit court to convene a grand jury to review the evidence and decide whether to bring charges.

Kinder and Jones are both Republicans. Koster is a Democrat.