big day for 29-year-old ryan spending a decade behind bars for a murder he says he did not commit. Ryan is here to speak with us, after this from dan abrams. This is how I knew. Reporter: This morning, ryan ferguson is a free man. After spending nearly a decade in prison for a murder he always maintained he didn't commit. I'm actually happier for my parents right now than I am for me because -- they've had to deal with so much. Reporter: Ferguson's ordeal began in 2003, two years after the murder. He and friend, charles erickson, were both accused of murdering sports journalist, ken heitholt. I looked up. And ryan was over the victim. Reporter: Ferguson was convicted and sentenced to 40 years. Then, years later, erickson recanted. Admitting he lied in his testimony against ryan. None of the physical evidence found at the scene linked ryan to the murder. Last week, a missouri appeals court overturned ferguson's conviction, saying, quote, newly discovered evidence clearly and convincingly establishes that he's actually innocent. Tuesday, the missouri attorney general's office announced it won't be pursuing a retrial. Meaning ferguson can now move on with his life. What has been particularly troubling is how long it took to get to this point. It's been clear for years now that there was no evidence remaining against ryan. And yet, only now, is he finally a free man.