It was said in court, “We the jury find the defendant Jamie John Nededog not guilty of the offense of murder.” 

Jamie Nededog is now a free man.

The Hagat native spent the past four months in prison accused in the murder of his friend, Edwin Pirando. 

After three days on trial in the Superior Court, the jury's verdict acquitted Nededog of murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide and attempted destruction of evidence. 

His mother Jessica Nededog shared her son's relief, saying, “I am very happy with their decision. They made the right decision.” 

Jamie was arrested after Pirando's body was found badly beaten in Sumai last October. 

Defense Attorney Peter Santos said, “Jamie always had maintained complete and total absolute innocence.”

Prosecuting Attorney Sean Brown reacted to the verdict. 

“It’s not what we wanted,” said Brown. 

The result left Edwin's family still searching for answers.

They said, “We don’t want to comment at this time but we do know we didn’t receive justice.” 

It's justice Jamie's mother and the defense also hope to get for the victim.

Jamie’s mother said, “This was a very violent crime and I hope they find him as soon as they can.”

“If anyone has any information about who the real killer is, if you hear somebody bragging they are the ones who did it or if they end up finding Ed's belongings, then contact police. And let us know so they can bring the right killer to justice,” said Santos. 

Attorney Santos added that Jamie also wants to help find whoever took Ed's life. 

The jury did find Jamie Nededog guilty of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, facing a maximum one year in prison.

Sentencing for that charge is set for May 16. 

Now, the search continues to find a killer that remains at large.