COLUMBIA, MO. -- It was exactly 10 years ago on Halloween night when one of the most mysterious murders took place in Columbia’s history.

Someone attacked and strangled Columbia Daily Tribune Sports Editor Kent Heitholt and left him in the newspaper’s parking lot to die.

Ryan Ferguson was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder.

Ferguson said he can prove he’s innocent as he continues his quest for freedom.

At the time of the murder, Columbia police investigators were frustrated because they had very few leads in the case.  It wasn’t until 4 years later when Ryan Ferguson’s friend Chuck Erickson told authorities they killed Heitholt.

Erickson said he helped Ferguson kill Heitholt.  Tribune employee Jerry Trump said he saw Ferguson at the scene of the crime.

Both men now said they were lying during Ferguson’s 2005 trial.  They also said the prosecutor at the time, Kevin Crane, helped them with their false testimony.  Ryan’s father Bill Ferguson has made it his life’s goal to free his son from prison and clear his name.

Bill Ferguson said, “We absolutely feel that the perpetrator of that crime is still at large.  I believe that within the next year or so that we are going to find out who actually committed this heinous act.”

Nationally known defense attorney and high-priced lawyer Kathleen Zellner is now representing Ryan Ferguson.  Zellner said there is no question that Ferguson will eventually be free based on the evidence.

A judge granted Ferguson a habeas hearing that’s been delayed until April 16.  That hearing will allow defense attorneys to present the evidence they believe shows their client was wrongfully convicted.