Romeo Phillion, who spent the past 31 years behind bars, was delighted to see the Toronto skyline Monday, after being released on $50,000 bail.

Phillion told reporters crowded outside Ontario Superior Court that his to-do list includes a trip to the CN Tower and plans to just go home and relax.

When asked about why he had confessed to murdering Ottawa firefighter Leopold Roy in 1967, Phillion simply said, "It was a joke, a bad joke that cost me my life."

Romeo Phillion with family and friends

Phillion was convicted in 1972 of murdering Roy.

Phillion maintains he didn't do it, and his lawyers say there's proof of his innocence in a police report never shown to the defence at the time of the trial.

After more than 30 years in prison, Phillion refused to apply for parole because he would have had to admit to the killing.

Romeo Phillion in 1972 and now

• FROM JUNE 26, 2003: Judge delays bail hearing decision for Romeo Phillion

• FROM MAY 15, 2003: Phillion case 'world record' for injustice: Lockyer

His lawyers, working with Osgoode Hall Law School's Innocence Project, say there's a lot of evidence that Phillion was wrongfully convicted.

Lawyer James Lockyer says Phillion's application for a new trial is likely the strongest ever shown to the justice minister.

Phillion confessed to the killing but later recanted.

A 1968 police report says Phillion was stuck with a broken-down car at a gas station in Trenton, Ont., more than 200 kilometres away at the time of the killing.

The rules of disclosure in 1972 didn't require the Crown to share such evidence with the defence.

Ultimately, Justice Minister Martin Cauchon could order a new trial, pardon Phillion or overturn the conviction. His review of the case could take a year.