I think it's obvious that Ryan is innoscent. Two men, one being high on drugs and Ryan's friend, lied in court. The jury gave Ryan a Guilty verdict because of these men's testimony. I don't understand why he is still in prison. How can the judge be so blind?

Ryan Ferguson is innocent! How can our justice system be so corrupt that this kind of thing cound happen?! The evidence is there! Judge needs to pull his head out of his ass and rule as he should and find Ryan innocent of this crime he never committed. How sad that the judges we have no choice but to trust commonly side with self motivated presecutors who manipulate situations all the time to win a case, even when they are just plain lying! Ryan is a good man and has been punished for a crime he did NOT commit!

It seems as if the only real hard evidence is the hair found in Kent's hand and the fingerprints on the car. If this evidence doesn't match Ryan or Chuck, how can either one of these men be convicted. From the first time I heard this story I totally believed that Ryan was innocent. I hope we hear soon that his conviction is overturned.

Ryan Ferguson is innocent. Our judicial system is so corrupt I really don't know how these prosecutors can get up in the morning and look in the mirror and face themselves. There will be justice for them if not hear on this earth when they leave this earth. They had better hope that God does not treat them the way they have treated Ryan or it will be a eternity before they see the light of new day. Ryan, I pray you are released soon. I admire you for your courage to stand tall and not let anyone sway you from the truth. I would be proud to call you my son and I am certain your Mom and Dad feel the same way. I will look forward to the day you are a free man once again.

I would like to know when the next court case is? Ryan is innocent how much more are our courts taking people's lives. My prayers are for his devestated parents and Ryan.

Two comments: 1. I've never seen someone look as guilty as the Sports Reporter Trainee did throughout this show. He even nervously moved his arm for a second in the earlier interview stage. I think he did it.

2. This story was reported earlier on I think 48 Hours Mystery or 2020 and they had stated that the guy had totally recanted his confession and said he didn't do it as well. The Janitor who identified the kid I believe that earlier show had said he had several problems with the law or something, don't remember the specifics. That show had also done a better job in showing tapes of the police clearly telling the guy what he did when he didn't know it.

It is very scary that a person can be convicted of murder based on a dream? I am speechless. I watched Ryan's story for the second time this evening on Dateline. I could just cry for him because I am dumbfounded, embarrassed, horrified, outraged and just plain sick at our United States Judicial System. I am not affiliated with any kind of law background but it seems so cut & dry to me that an innocent man has spent so much time of his life being convicted of a crime he had nothing to do with. It is 12:00 AM & this has bothered me to a point that I felt I had to leave some kind of comment on his behalf because I cannot even sleep. I can only imagine how many sleepless nights he has had...The attorney general is not for Ryan, the judges are not for Ryan, the cops are not for Ryan they need and want to blame someone for that man's death. I do know that God is for Ryan and with that, justice will be prevailed and done in one way or another. I pray for him, his family and for The Lord's Will to be done. We support you Ryan, as I know many, many people do.

One other thing...If anyone believes Ryan is innocent, comments alone on this website are not going to help him. Please write the mentioned Attorney General who is opposed to his release. I do not think he has reviewed all the facts in the case, I think he is looking for re-election and his campaign funds are being paid into by those involved in convicting Ryan. Speak up for Ryan! Write anyone you can involved in the deciding factor of this case or who you think may be able to help him. United, we can make a differece in an innocent man's life... Power of the people speaks louder than anything.

It is interesting reading the account of the murder in the Attorney General's response. The sports editor has been beaten to the ground and Ryan removes his belt. Mr. Heitholt was a large man. To physically remove his belt would be no easy task. Think about unbuckling a belt on a very heavy man that is on his knees or lying face down! The belt buckle broke when Erickson pulled the belt away from Ryan?? The police didn't think this one through very well before they gave Erickson the information he needed to know to make his statement. Would it not be more plausible that the belt broke from being pulled on from behind or broke during the violent encounter? Also interesting in one of the affidavits that Michael Boyd gave (on the www.freeryanferguson site) to police after the murder, Boyd stated that Mr. Heitholt was lying face down when he saw him. By the time Mr. Boyd came back to the murder scene, Mr. Heitholt had been turned over and was lying on his back. How did he know Mr. Heitholt was face down unless he had been there at the murder scene?

You can read all of the police reports and legal filings on freeryanferguson.com and also be sure to check out justiceforryanferguson.com/ To watch the unedited police interrogations visit youtube.com/user/mzuri4u

Free Ryan and put the corrupt DA (now judge) in jail where he belongs! This is a shameful display of the American injustice system! How sad that this poor boy's life has been stolen from him - is the DA not repsonsible for taking a life? He knows damn well Ryan didnt' commit this murder. I hope he rots in Hell with all the other corrupt DAs who would rather "win" then seek the truth. And he is now a judge? Disgraceful!

I too watched this case before on a different TV broadcast and thought that I was watching a re-run. When dateline ended with Ryan still in prison I came here to check whether Ryan was ever a free man. This is such a travesty of justice that legislation needs to be put through to guarantee that a person's appeal is heard by a competent panel of more then one judge. If we can spend twenty years appealing capital punishment cases we certainly can give rapid ear to the pleas of the innocent. This case is definitely a no brainer Mr. DA.

Didn't they say on the 48 Hours Broadcast that the idiot who confessed now says he didn't do it. Dateline had a different take. Why aren't they investigating the Newspaper Guy who was last person to be with him. He has guilty all over him He was incredibly nervous & shakey on Dateline and if he didn't do it, why would he be.

@Mary-4dogs&6cats: Certainly, the public should let the Missouri AG know that they believe Ryan is innocent. But be prepared for the AG and the entire system to continue to dig in its heels. Why? The state has what it wants, two convictions, and it will fight as dirty and as long as it must to maintain those convictions. Innocence is utterly irrelevant. The motto should be "I may not always be right, but I am never wrong."

Just dropped a letter in the mail. Who's with me??

I, too think Ryan is innocent! Who do we need to write a letter to? It's really sad to put an innocent person in jail. I feel for you Ryan and your family. Your story really touched me. I hope you'll get a fair justice soon.

Who do we need to send the letter to? I hate to see this innocent person in jail.

My wife and I just got done watching this case on Dateline and both of us are in disbelief. It took forever to get through the show, as we were watching it on DVR, she continually kept hitting pause in disbelief and asking questions. I am a high school teacher who teaches law studies and court procedures. I think Ryan's parents should get their money back from the original defense attourney's and/or sue them and the prosecutor (now Judge). This is a typical case of a small town legal system who can't AFFORD to admit their mistake. Hopefully the higher court can see through this. I feel for the entire family, just a sad situation. I believe in our legal system and I believe it will work out. Unfortunately, Ryan has spent many years in prison but I'm sure he will never have to work again once he gets out. I wish I could do something else other than type on a blog, I never do this. Good luck and I hope our system prevails.

Ryan IS innocent! NO DOUBTS! Write all you know. Take out a billboard. Take out ads. Write more. Write him and encourage Ryan! Write the family. Ensure this never, ever happens again! Be passionate about this------it is his LIFE!!!! When you are bored at work, write a letter. When you find someone bored at their job, carry postcards in your purse or pockets addressed to the powers that be and give people a paragraph blurb and ask them to write and deposit the cards in the mail. Forward the initiative on facebook. Make it a topic at your next staff meeting so you can all join forces and get behind something together.....Do whatever you can, but don't stop doing and don't do NOTHING.....Ryan needs you!!!!!!!!!!!! DO MORE! Do MORE! DO MORE.....