The Institute (協会)

Eric Volz Exonerated But Not Released

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (CNN) -- A Nicaraguan appeals court Monday ruled that an American convicted of killing his former girlfriend should be set free. Eric Volz awaits release from a Nicaraguan jail after his murder conviction was overturned Monday.

Eric Volz, 28, of Nashville, Tennessee, was convicted in 2006 of raping and killing Doris Ivanez Jimenez and sentenced to 30 years in prison.The court Monday reversed that decision, but Volz has not been freed because a judge failed to show up for an afternoon meeting to arrange his release, according to attorney Fabbrith Gomez.

Gomez, who claims Volz is being held illegally, said he intended to file a petition for writ of habeas corpus, a process that forces a court to give proof justifying why a prisoner is being held.

Volz was transferred Monday from a Managua jail to a police hospital, according to Gomez and the prison warden, but it wasn't clear why.

This is great news, fellas. It's been a long journey for him. If he has a welcome back party I might try to go! Read the rest here.

# Story Highlights
# Eric Volz's conviction for killing his ex-girlfriend overturned Monday
# A judge fails to show up Monday for an afternoon meeting to release Volz
# Witnesses testify Volz was in his office at the time of the killing
# Volz, 28, of Nashville, Tennessee, was the publisher of EP Magazine