After 3 Months in Jail, James Curry Is a Free Man

06/19/2007 (KFSN) -- The former Canadian football league standout was arrested in March for the murder of his girlfriend. But during his preliminary hearing in Madera Monday a judge dropped those murder charges.

We can't say James Curry is a happy man, but he is glad to be out of jail. He was accused of murdering his long time girlfriend to keep her from testifying against him in a child abuse case. But the judge ruled there wasn't enough evidence to put the Chowchilla business owner on trial.

James Curry, released from jail, says "it's a bittersweet thing in a way, getting out; with the tremendous loss our families have suffered."

James Curry's girlfriend, Jennifer Flores was killed March 30th. Shot in the head. Curry was the one who called 911 from the home they shared in Chowchilla.

While Chowchilla police suspected Curry, witnesses and a surveillance camera put him at the Tachi Palace Casino in Lemoore at the time it's believed she died.

Curry's attorney says the lack of an accurate time of death was a major flaw in the prosecution's case. Daniel Harralson, Curry's Attorney, says "if someone would have been competent enough to establish a time of death, had that been established in the beginning, I don't believe James Curry would have ever been charged."

Attorney Daniel Harralson says Jennifer Flores may have committed suicide, or was killed by someone else. Not James Curry, who has maintained his innocence.

"What do I want people to know about me, is that I've been honest. I think that's the number one thing that people should look at up front, is that I've been honest from the start and I'm honest right now" says Curry.

Chowchilla Police Chief Jan Vyner says he can accept the judge's decision, but still considers Curry a suspect. "He certainly remains at the top of our list, as far as likely suspects based on the information we've gathered or that's been shared with us" says Vyner.

The chief says police will resume their search for evidence in the case.

James Curry still faces a child endangerment charge, but with the murder charges dismissed he was able to post bail. "Just having an opportunity to stand outside with some freedom. More than anything else, you don't realize how much you miss it, until it's taken away from you" Curry says.

The child endangerment charge stems from a beating Curry is alleged to have given his teen aged son.

The District Attorney believed Jennifer Flores witnessed the beating, and argued Curry killed her to keep her from testifying. But the judge didn't buy it.

Curry says his goal is to regain custody of his four children.

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