A clemency request approved by Montana’s governor freed a man on Friday who had three decades in prison for a murder he did not commit.

The New York Times reports that Barry Beach told reporters outside Montana State Prison that the moment was “surreal.” Beach told them that he “knew it was going to be here someday,” adding he “never knew it would take this long.”

Beach thanked Governor Steve Bullock, who previously told Beach that he would look favorably at Beach’s clemency request. Beach was sentenced to 100 years in prison for the death of 17-year-old Kimberly Nees, who was beaten to death on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in northeast Montana.

In the clemency request, Beach noted that at the time he was only 17, and cited his good behavior in prison. No arrests were made in the death of Kimberly Nees until Beach allegedly confessed to police in another state who were charging him with a separate, unrelated crime.

Beach said the confession was coerced, and campaigned for his freedom drawing support from numerous notable politicians.

A cousin of the victim expressed frustration with Beach’s release, saying that “someone needs to be held accountable.” The cousin, Glenna Nees Lockman, believed in Beach’s innocence until around two years ago, when her opinion shifted, calling him “a con.” Lockman would not comment directly on Beach’s innocence.

Beach was released in 2011 for a year-and-a-half, as witness testimony said that Nees died in a fight with a gang of girls. The case was blocked by the Supreme Court, and Beach went back to prison.

Beach’s request for clemency was blocked four separate times. On the fifth attempt, the request was directed to the governor’s office. A law, partially inspired by Beach, was passed, giving the Montana governor the final decision in clemency cases.