A man whose conviction was vacated for murdering a Minneapolis teenager 16 years ago spoke out for the first time on Tuesday.

Edgar Barrientos-Quintana was found guilty in 2009, but earlier this year, the attorney general’s conviction review unit found convincing evidence of his innocence.

RELATED: Judge vacates murder conviction 16 years after killing of Minneapolis high school student

Barrientos-Quintana was released last week but this is the first time he shared the feeling of waiting for a life-changing moment like this.

Now a free man, he says he never gave up hope.

“I just didn’t know when and that’s the problem. You know it’s going to happen, but the system is so slow,” Barrientos-Quintana said.

Barrientos-Quintana was serving life with no parole for the murder of 18-year-old Roosevelt High School senior Jesse Mickelson. A judge vacated that 2009 murder conviction after he found the defense counsel’s representation was flawed.

The judge added that the prosecution failed to disclose crucial evidence. The judge also added that the, “State’s case was weak.” And that, in part, a lead MPD investigator provided “false testimony” that “could have affected the verdict.”

That investigator, Thomas Gaiters, is now an assistant chief for the department — MPD Chief Brian O’Hara shared the following statement with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. 

“I have come to know Assistant Chief Gaiters as a deeply dedicated and humble public servant. He is immensely qualified to serve as Assistant Chief of Community Trust and Engagement, and I am thankful he continues to serve our residents daily. He has my full support.” 

MPD also said, “Chief O’Hara has asked the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) to review the investigative files and the BCA has agreed.”

A BCA spokesperson confirmed that the state agency has agreed to look into the case file. 

As for the Mickelson’s murder case, County Attorney Mary Moriarty said her office is in, “conversations with law enforcement about whether additional investigation would yield information that would be helpful to us.” 

Mickelson’s family supported the releases, saying after the case that there was no way it could have been him.

“I gave him a big hug, and I apologized even though he knows it’s not my fault. He lost a lot of years being wrongfully convicted, and I just wanted to give my deepest sympathy,” said Tina Rosebear, Mickelson’s sister.

Minneapolis police released a statement expressing concern that the conviction was overturned based on a review of old evidence and not new information.

MPD says they remain committed to holding Mickelson’s killer accountable.