AKRON, Ohio -- Summit County prosecutors Thursday dropped all charges against a man convicted of killing his mother-in-law and raping his 6-year-old niece, and called for the man's immediate release from prison.

Just after 4 p.m., 42-year-old Clarence Elkins walked out of the Manfield Correctional Facility as a free man.

Elkins had been in prison since 1999. Prosecutors are now convinced another man committed the crimes after new DNA testing was done.

Elkins spoke to the media following his release, saying he thanked God and all of his supporters for bringing this day about.

His family was at the Mansfield prison, awaiting his release. They then proceeded to a celebratory meal at a nearby restaurant.

Elkins' pastor was also there. He told NewsChannel5 that he just closed the bank account for Elkins' defense -- and gave the remaining $200 to Elkins upon his release.

The evidence of Elkins' innocence surfaced after Summit County prosecutors conducted their own investigation.

The focus of the investigation has now turned to Earl Gene Mann, 32, who had a relationship with a woman who lived near one of the victims, said Kim Norris, a representative for Attorney General Jim Petro.

Mann is serving a seven-year sentence for raping three girls.

Skin cells found at the crime scene were compared with Mann's DNA, and hair found at the scene was also a match with Mann.

Prosecutors also say that Mann failed five polygraph tests. Although prosecutors are not ready to file charges against him at this time, they say they fully expect to sometime in the future.

If Elkins had not been released, he would not have been eligible for parole until 2054. He will receive a minimum of $700,000 in compensation for the years he spent in prison.