VIERA -- For the first time in nearly 28 years, William Dillon woke up Wednesday morning outside a prison cell.
Dillon had been serving a life sentence for killing James Dvorak in 1981 at Indian Harbor Beach. Because of new DNA evidence, a judge granted him a new trial. His lawyers said the new DNA testing showed Dillon did not wear the killer's T-shirt.
Dillon was released Tuesday afternoon after posting $100,000 bond.
He said he's not at all bitter about spending a large portion of his life in prison.
"I'm not going to sit here and dwell on anything that's missed or passed or anything. I'm just going to move ahead right now from this day forward," Dillon said.
As part of his release, he will have to wear an electronic monitoring device and will have a curfew.
Dillon's retrial is set to start in January.
Neighbors React To Dillon's Release
Bob Carpenter and his wife have lived next door to Dillon's parents in Satellite Beach since before he was sent to prison.
Carpenter is good friends with the family and said they've talked over the years about the case. When he heard about Dillon's release, he was proud of their perseverance.
"Anytime you have a problem like that, it's tough on the whole family,” Carpenter said. “And we are friends. They've gone through it well. Hopefully it's all over."
Carpenter adds he can’t wait to congratulate Dillon and his family.
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