A Yarmouth, N.S., man was acquitted of a charge of first degree murder Friday.

Ian Matthew Huskins, 28, was found not guilty in the death of Neil Joseph Blades Jr., 34.

On July 12, 2009, a passerby found Blades's body under a bridge in Eel River, between Eel Brook and Belleville, in Yarmouth County.

A witness told CBC News the man was shirtless and floating face down in the water. RCMP said Blades was identified through his fingerprints.

A Canada-wide arrest warrant was issued for Huskins on July 20. He turned himself in Aug. 4.

Police have determined that Blades was killed in Deerfield sometime on July 11, 2009.