`I don't hate anyone.

I'm not bitter.'

Freedom. The reality of the word eluded Timothy Brown on Thursday.

''I don't know how long it's going to take -- it hasn't dawned on me that I'm free,'' Brown said during an interview in his Hollywood home. ``For the past 11 years, I've been used to taking orders from someone.''

Brown, 27, came home from the county courthouse Thursday, newly liberated from murder charges in the 1990 slaying of Broward sheriff's Deputy Patrick Behan, and did as he pleased. He changed into comfortable clothes, climbed into the passenger's seat of his nephew's 1986 Chevy Caprice, and off they went.

No mom. No attorneys. No electronic monitor.

He and his nephew, Bobby, went to the courthouse to take care of some final business -- returning the electronic device that tracked his movements by satellite. Then, they cruised the streets. The two drove through Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood for four hours, taking in sights unfamiliar to Brown after all this time. The windows were rolled down, the music boomed. Brown smiled. He was happy.

For more than 10 years, Brown has maintained his innocence in the slaying of Behan.

On Thursday, the state conceded it had no evidence against Brown and abandoned preparations for a second murder trial.

''I don't hate anyone, I'm not bitter,'' Brown said. ``I'd like an apology from the sheriff, but I know that's not going to happen.''

SYMPATHY

He expressed sympathy to the victim's family: ``I am very sorry for the Behan family; my prayers are with them. I hope the real killer of Deputy Behan will be found.''

Brown said he's now ready to move on with his life and enjoy every day.

His first day, he took the opportunity to savor simple pleasures.

He and his nephew returned from their four-hour jaunt holding large sodas from McDonald's. ''I had a cheeseburger, a Big Mac, two orders of fries and a Coke,'' he said.

Brown was released on bail May 14, after a federal judge overturned his conviction. There were restrictions imposed on his release: He had to wear a monitor. Brown could not leave his home except to attend church or meet with his attorneys.

He remained, technically, a prisoner.

''It was better than being in prison, but I still couldn't do much,'' Brown said.

At Thursday's hearing, all restrictions were lifted when Circuit Judge Ana Gardiner issued an order dismissing all charges. Afterward, authorities removed the ankle bracelet. Brown smiled and lifted his pants leg, showing off his new look.

Brown belted out: ``I'm going to Disney World!''

He went to his attorney's office and thanked the many people who worked for more than five years on his behalf. Then he raced home to retrieve the computerized device hooked up to the telephone that alerted the state to his movements.

QUICK CHANGE

Brown dashed into his house and shed his dark blue shirt. He ran into a bedroom, changing into a sleeveless T-shirt, jean shorts and Nike sneakers. As he spoke with a reporter, he quickly dismantled the device and stuffed it into a box.

''I gotta get this back before 2 p.m.,'' he said. ``They wouldn't come out and get it -- they said I had to return it and sign for it. My name's on the paper and this thing cost $3,000.''

Brown spent the last month awaiting word on his future and watching movies: The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, Big Momma's House, Baby Boy, Barber Shop. His nephews taught him how to play Sony PlayStation 2 and how to use a computer to download music.

''I cooked a lot of meals,'' Brown said. ``That's what I want to do. I need more education, and I'd like to take some more cooking classes and get a job cooking.''

He laughed and said his specialty is ``Brown's Chicken.''

''That's my thing,'' he said.

Brown missed out on his teen years -- no prom, no dates, no yearbooks or cap and gown -- and now yearns for a family of his own. He wants a wife and children. But not in South Florida. ''I think everywhere I go, people will stare at me,'' Brown said. ``It's like having a shadow over me. I'd like to move. We'll all be moving far away.''