The court said, "The investigative reports written by the FBI and CID in their joint investigation in February last year are just records of interrogation and cannot be used as evidence of guilt, according to clause 312, article 2 of criminal laws."

Analysts said the court deemed the investigations by the U.S. police bodies insufficient evidence to prove Snider guilty.

In March of 2001, Snider, an exchange student, was indicted for assaulting a fellow female student at a motel in Itaewon, after the victim made a pass at her.

However, after the case, Snider took advantage of what critics call a slack police investigation and left for the United States. After joint investigations with the FBI and other authorities, Snider was arrested and confessed. Last year, she was extradited to Korea.

After she was summoned, Snider was put into reform facilities and underwent investigations as in any other criminal case. However, Snider denied all charges, saying the confession she gave in the United States were made under coercion. Last January, she was indicted for bodily injury resulting in death.

Prosecutors say they will reinforce their investigation and appeal the decision. Although Snider was released on Thursday, she is not allowed to leave the country. (Lee Kyung-eun, diva@chosun.com )