first day of freedom after being found not guilty of the slaying of Canadian teenager Rebecca Middleton.

After nearly two and a half years in custody, Mr. Smith, 20, shied away from any publicity yesterday, remaining locked in his bedroom out of sight of reporters who called on his Deepdale Road East home.

And one Canadian newspaper journalist was given a rough reception when he tried to interview Mr. Smith.

The Toronto Sun reporter was stopped by a gang of young men as he approached the house and was ordered to stay away.

Mr. Smith's mother, Valerie, speaking exclusively to The Royal Gazette , explained that her son was not yet ready to talk about the killing.

"Justis just needs time to get back and get settled in -- it's going to be a period of readjustment for him,'' she said.

"We're certainly relieved to have him back home but I don't think we need any publicity right now, I don't think that would be wise.'' Mrs. Smith would not comment on rumours that her son had been threatened following his sensational release. Relatives of the dead girl expressed anger when the judgment was announced in court on Tuesday and family friend Rick Meens was heard to shout a warning at Mr. Smith as he was led from the dock.

Mr. Meens' daughter, Jasmine, was with Ms Middleton on the night she died.

Puisne Judge Vincent Meerabux ruled that there was insufficient evidence to convict Mr. Smith for the killing of Ms Middleton, whose naked, mutilated and sexually abused body was discovered on Ferry Reach in July, 1996.

Co-accused Kirk Mundy is currently serving a five year jail term after pleading guilty to being an accessory to the murder.

Justis Smith