GEORGETOWN, Texas — It's the moment they've waited years for.

Greg Kelley, in tears, embracing his girlfriend and family after being released on bond.

"It's so surreal right now, I couldn't process this,” Kelley said. “It's been, it's had its ups and downs for the past three years and it's a new beginning for me. I know it's not over yet, but we're gonna continue to keep fighting and the truth will prevail."

Kelley was in prison and served three years of his 25-year sentence for super aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Though he is out on bond, his fight is far from over.

A judge must send her recommendation to the court of criminal appeals, and that court must decide whether to exonerate Kelley, grant a new trial, or uphold his conviction, and that decision could take up to a year.

"He knows it. I'm not ruining this day but we've had that conversation many times, and you don't know what's going to happen,” said Keith Hampton, Kelley’s attorney. “It's the state's highest court, they can do kind of what they want to do."

Kelley's bond release was granted based on two claims made by the District Attorney's office — that the insufficient investigation in 2013 was a due process violation, and another asserting that Kelley's trial lawyer provided ineffective counsel.

"My feeling all along was that this was an utter collapse of the criminal justice system, and there were failures at every level. From the investigation to the prosecution to the defense, and even to the jury," said Shawn Dick, District Attorney of Williamson County.

Kelley still remains one of three suspects, including Johnathan McCarty and a third unidentified suspect.

His mother says she's happy for the moment, and glad he is finally out of jail.

"I've just been patiently waiting for this moment, I can wait a little bit longer for my son to be exonerated and start again," said Rosa Kelley.

A moment that wouldn't have happened if the District Attorney hadn't reopened the investigation earlier this year.

"I just thank the DA's office, the judge to give me an open mind, to allow me to finally come home to my family. I just want to go home," said Greg Kelley.

Kelley is out on a $50,000 felony surety bond.

A Williamson County judge is expected to offer her recommendation to the Court of Criminal Appeals by mid-September.