( CNN ) The only man charged in the 2010 disappearance and death of honor student Phylicia Barnes has been freed by a judge in Baltimore . On Monday , Judge Addison Howard granted a motion of acquittal for Michael Johnson because of insufficient evidence . Russell Barnes , Phylicia Barnes ' father , said the ruling was heartbreaking . `` I feel like I got run over by a train , '' he said . The body of the 16-year-old Barnes was found floating in a Maryland river in spring 2011 . Authorities said she was found without clothes and with no `` overt '' signs of wounds or injuries . The teen had been visiting her half-sister in Baltimore . She said she was going out to get something to eat and maybe a haircut when she left the residence . About a year after her body was found , police arrested Johnson , the half-sister 's ex-boyfriend . Johnson was convicted of second degree murder in January 2013 . But his attorneys successfully argued that he should have a new trial because the prosecution withheld evidence about a witness who linked Johnson to the killing , according to the judge 's order that summarized the case . Last month , the second trial ended in a mistrial because the jury was allowed to hear information in recordings that should have been redacted , the court order stated . Defense lawyers filed a motion for acquittal . The judge 's order said there was plenty of circumstantial evidence against Johnson , including that he was the last person known to see Barnes and that a witness watched him sweating as he carried an object in a tote down the apartment stairs on the day she disappeared . However , the judge wrote , `` there was insufficient evidence when taken as a whole '' to convict Johnson on a charge of second-degree murder . Prosecutors tweeted a statement saying they disagree with the judge 's decision and will appeal the ruling . Defense lawyer Kay Beehler issued a statement saying , `` This case was a tragedy for everyone in the Barnes and Johnson families . Ms. Barnes was a lovely , vibrant young woman . However , Mr. Johnson has maintained his innocence from Day One of this entire case , and we are very thankful that justice was done. `` Johnson left jail and was met by reporters on the street . `` It feels great to be out , '' he said . Russell Barnes said he 'll keep working to put Johnson behind bars . `` We just ca n't let this go , '' he said . `` We have to see justice for Phylicia . We 're just going to pursue ... the same gentlemen , a child killer who 's on the streets of Baltimore . '' CNN 's Kevin Conlon contributed to this report .
Michael Johnson had been convicted of second - degree murder . The teen 's body was found floating in a Maryland river in - ##time .