Jason Roberts has taken his first steps of freedom in 22 years, after being locked up for a crime he has always maintained he did not commit.
Roberts, accused of the infamous shooting deaths of two police officers in Melbourne's south-east in 1998, was found not guilty and released from custody today.
Roberts, 41, was given the verdict before Melbourne's Supreme Court about 10am, with the jury having deliberated since Thursday.
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Families of the police officers in court gasped as the verdict was read, with many breaking into tears.
The trial against Roberts began on March 8, with evidence presented for three months before two weeks of closing addresses by lawyers.
Roberts was accused of shooting dead Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller while they were working at Moorabbin in Melbourne's south-east in 1998.
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He was 17 when the police officers were investigating a series of armed robberies in Melbourne's southern and eastern suburbs in the early hours of August 16, 1998.
The officers were both shot shortly after they pulled over a vehicle on Cochranes Road.
Prosecutors alleged Roberts was the likely passenger in that vehicle and the driver was Bandali Debs, the father of Roberts' girlfriend.
Silk was shot three times and died at the scene.
Miller later died from his injuries in hospital.
Roberts was granted bail before the court after the verdict was read.
Prior to the trial, he pleaded guilty to 10 armed robberies that happened in the months before the police officers were killed.
He will be sentenced for the robberies later this year.
Roberts simply said "no comment" when he was approached by media as he left the court about 11.45am.
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Reactions to the verdict
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said he was deeply "disappointed" in the verdict.
"As the chief commissioner, as a police officer and as a colleague who worked with Sergeant Gary Silk and also did a couple of jobs with Senior Constable Rodney Miller, this decision is very disappointing," Patton said.
"When I heard the decision, my first thoughts were for the families, the families we have known for 24 years, 24 long years.
"We didn't expect the verdict to come back this quickly.
"As I said, I'm disappointed with that verdict.
"Our thoughts are with the Silk and Miller families today and we know this will be a difficult time for them.
"We will continue to support both families as well as the many police who continue to be impacted by the tragic loss of Gary Silk and Rod Miller.
"This matter has been subject to a significant investigation over the years and we recognise the tireless work of those investigators, including Lorimer Taskforce."
Police Associate Secretary Wayne Gatt has said the the verdict was "certainly one we didn't expect today".
"Indeed, that sadness is going to be very, very deeply felt by the members of our fallen members," he said.
"Losing not one, but two of our members at work some 24 years ago is the worst thing that you could ever imagine."
