CLAY CENTER ? Murder charges against two Fort Riley soldiers were dismissed Monday, clearing the way for action by military attorneys.

A motion filed by Clay County Dist. Atty. Doug Martin was granted, dismissing charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder against Sgts. Aaron Stanley and Eric Colvin. The two were transferred Friday from Clay Center to Junction City, pending action by military attorneys.

Fort Riley spokeswoman Sam Robinson said military charges against Stanley, 22, of Bismarck, N.D., and Colvin, 23, of Papillion, Neb., were expected to be filed later this week. They are being held in connection with the shooting deaths of Staff Sgt. Matthew Werner, 30, of Oxnard, Calif., and Spc. Christopher D. Hymer, 23, of Nevada, Mo.

All four soldiers were part of 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry based at Fort Riley. Approximately 750 soldiers from the unit are serving their second tour of duty in Iraq.

Four other soldiers, also with Company C, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry, have been charged in Iraq by the military with the murders of four Iraqi civilians. No details have been released about the incidents. The unit, which has been in Iraq since June, is attached with the 1st Cavalry Division in Baghdad.