PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia man who was exonerated of murder has been released from prison after 24 years.

Shaurn Thomas' conviction was removed during a hearing Tuesday, and he was released from the prison in Frackville that night.

The 43-year-old says he got to use a cellphone for the first time and plans to eat the Ultimate Feast at Red Lobster as his first meal.

Thomas was convicted of participating in the slaying of a businessman who was shot in 1990 while taking $25,000 to a check-cashing store.

Thomas claimed he was at a hearing on the day of the killing.

The jury wasn't swayed, and he earned a life sentence in 1993.