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All Charges Dismissed In Phylicia Barnes' Murder

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Walking free. Charges have been dropped against the man accused of murdering honor student Phylicia Barnes. A judge ordered that Michael Johnson be released because prosecutors did not have sufficient evidence in the case.

Meghan McCorkell spoke to Johnson as he walked out of prison.

Michael Johnson says he is relieved to be out of prison. When asked if he was involved in any way in the death of Phylicia Barnes, he didn't respond.

WJZ was outside the City Detention Center as Johnson walked free for the first time in more than two years.

"It feels great to be out," he said.

Johnson was accused of murdering 16-year-old Phylicia Barnes back in 2010. The teen was visiting her half-sister---who dated Johnson when Barnes disappeared, sparking a huge manhunt. Her naked body was found months later, floating in the Susquehanna River.

Tuesday, a judge ordered Johnson released, saying the case against him is "unarguably circumstantial" and there's no "smoking gun."

"Michael Johnson has maintained his innocence from day one and this has been a crushing and horrible ordeal for him and his family, as well," said Johnson's attorney, Katy O'Donnell.

But the family of Phylicia Barnes says they are still confident that police got the right man.

Speaking to WJZ by phone, Barnes' father says he believes the judicial system has failed his daughter.

"They have the right person. It's just the way the system works now," said Russell Barnes.

In 2013, a judge threw out a second degree murder conviction against Johnson. His second trial last year ended in a mistrial. He was set to face a third jury this March----until Tuesday's ruling.

"It's definitely an overwhelming experience," Barnes said. "Baltimore City is letting a child killer---in my mind---go and go free."

Barnes vows to continue to fight for justice for his daughter.

The state's attorney's office plans to appeal the judge's ruling.

Johnson's defense team accused prosecutors of intentionally tanking the second trial. The state's attorney says it is not a case of prosecutorial misconduct.

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