VIDALIA — A Monterey man accused of second-degree murder may soon be released from jail after a Concordia Parish Grand Jury did not indict him.

Hartwell Layne Tiffee, 34, 679 Louisiana 907, was arrested in June for second-degree murder in the death of 26-year-old Duell Moreland of Monterey. Thursday, the grand jury did not indict Tiffee because of insufficient evidence.

Defense Attorney Andy Magoun said the decision does not address guilt or innocence on this charge.

“A homicide case in Louisiana never expires, so as far as I am concerned, this remains an open investigation,” Magoun said. “Any new evidence can bring momentum to move forward in prosecuting this case. It could be 10 years down the road — that’s the nature of a homicide case.”

Tiffee was still in jail Thursday at approximately 5:30 p.m. on another charge, but Magoun said motions are pending for the release of those bonds due to Tiffee having served more than 60 days in jail.

Magoun said Tiffee had made a $55,000 bond on a charge of possession of an illegal firearm, but was still in jail on charges of four counts possession of stolen property.

Jailers said Thursday they could not find a bond listed for the four counts of possession of stolen property.

Magoun said he was confident Tiffee would be released on the possession of stolen property charges based on his having served 60 days. Magoun also said the attorney general may not accept prosecution on the possession of stolen property charges.

CPSO Chief Deputy David Hedrick said his department would continue an active investigation into the death of Moreland.

“Although the grand jury chose not to file a true bill, this case is not being put to rest,” Hedrick said. “Our investigators will continue to pursue this case to the best of our ability until justice is served.”

The sheriff’s office worked with Louisiana State Police and the state crime lab to follow leads and collect evidence.

“The analyses of the evidence by these two departments led to the arrest of one suspect,” Hedrick said. “After their review, the FBI concurred that this case had been as thoroughly investigated as it would have been by their own department.

“We are confident that our department has done our due diligence in investigating this case.”

The case was being prosecuted by the Louisiana Attorney General’s office, as Seventh Judicial District Attorney Brad Burget had been recused in August based on a defense motion due to connections with Tiffee’s father, Police Juror Red Tiffee. The Police Jury provides funding to the district attorney’s office and Burget also serves as the attorney for the jury.

Judge Robert Kostelka from Monroe, La., was serving as judge. Judges Kathy Johnson and John Reeves recused themselves due to the judge’s office receiving funding from the police jury.

Moreland’s body was found in a bayou off of Peale Cross Road in Monterey in April.

Moreland went missing from his grandparent’s residence on March 29. He reportedly received a number of phone calls that evening before leaving the residence, which is where he primarily resided.

After a month of searching, Moreland’s body — mostly skeletal remains — was found in late April by his grandfather, Rufus “Buddy” Tiffee, who received a tip from a family friend and organized a search.

“Our sympathies go out to Mr. Moreland’s friends and family who still suffer from their loss and who seek justice for their loved one,” Hedrick said.