ELKHART, Ind. -- After spending 27 years behind bars a wrongfully convicted Elkhart man is finally free.

That man is Reginald Dillard, who spent nearly three decades serving a sentence for a crime he didn't commit.

That's what his attorneys say happened to him.

Dillard is finally going back to his Elkhart home due to a judge's order.

According to the Notre Dame Exoneration Justice Clinic, Dillard was convicted in 2000 for the 1998 murder of Christopher Thomas in Elkhart and sentenced to 65 years in prison.

Kevin Murphy, Notre Dame Exoneration Justice Clinic staff attorney, said, "Yesterday morning, Reggie was exonerated and walked out of prison for the first time since back in 1999, so it's been 27 years since he's been wrongfully incarcerated. And yesterday, he was able to walk out, his head held high and reunite with his family members."

In 2022, the exoneration clinic filed for post-conviction relief.

On behalf of Dillard, they argued he was targeted by a rogue and racist group of Elkhart police officers dubbed "The Wolverines."

One former Elkhart detective is also accused of fabricating witness statements.

They argued the police and prosecutor's office withheld exculpatory evidence.

It's that last argument that led even the special prosecutor assigned to the case to agree the state violated Dillard's rights.

The police report, taken the day after Dillard's conviction, contained information about alternate suspects.

Special Judge Christopher Spataro said that's enough to entitle Dillard to a new trial and granted the joint motion to vacate his conviction.

After nearly four years battling in court, Dillard was granted post-conviction relief.