Dateline did a story about two weeks ago about this young man convicted of murder largely based on the flimsy testimony of a friend who has since retracted his statements and claimed responsibility for the crime. Did anyone see the Dateline report? If so, what were your thoughts?

I didn't see the dateline story. However, 48 hours has covered this twice. After watching the first one, I thought he was guilty as sin. That one aired a few years ago though. This year, they aired an update and his friend is very unreliable. Also, the janitor (I think he was a janitor) who identified them I believed at first but people have come forward saying he told them he could not make out the people who killed this man. So after watching the second episode I think he is innocent. Also, a lot of thinks that his friend confessed to did not match what happened at the crime.

Innocent, innocent, innocent. It's an absolute travesty and makes me so angry! The friend said he had a DREAM that they did it, so he confessed. ??! The part that infuriates me the most is the juror admitting "I had already made up my mind that he was guilty before he even took the stand." At the very least, Ryan deserves a new trial.

Wow Justin thank you for posting this. In my free time I make posters for the Ryan Ferguson Case. Just edited images of Ryan and the people involved to give their family hope. I have seen all 3 (I believe) of the dateline nbc episodes. I follow this case daily and am friends with his father (although I do not personally know him) on facebook. We have a facebook group dedicated to ryan as well as other horrible cases of injustice called the freedom fighters. We even have shirts for ryan.
As you can probably tell from my post I believe without a doubt in ryans innocence and there have been so many new updates since the first 2 dateline episodes. Since thate Ryan was convicted, chuck erickson, the friend that dreamt that they were the murders has since pleaded under oath that ryan had no involvement and that he lied. The janitor also admidtted to lying and said he never saw Ryan there. So no evidence and confessions that it was all a lie and Ryan is still in jail. He was just recently denied a new trial last halloween. I feel so bad for this guy and he is definatley in my daily prayers.
If anyone would like any more info on the case or would like to be apart of the freedom fighters group contact me.

UPDATE *cue UM update music*:D: Ryan was freed a few weeks ago after spending nearly 10 years in jail

UPDATE *cue UM update music*:D: Ryan was freed a few weeks ago after spending nearly 10 years in jail

I saw that- so amazing! I'm so sorry he lost those years of his life, but I hope he can move forward and on to much better things!

Thank God he was released. I prayed for a long time for this day to come.
Updated dateline episodes have aired since his release.
Ryan has moved to Florida with his girlfriend and is now writing a book now.

I just realized I have this episode buried in my collection. Now I just have to watch it. Good thing I have it saved since ID doesn't air Dateline too often these days.