An Invercargill man has walked free after nearly nine months in jail on a manslaughter conviction

The Otago Daily Times reports Taine Edwards' sentence has been quashed by Justice Cameron Mander in the High Court at Invercargill today.

Edwards was found guilty last year for charges, including manslaughter by inciting reckless driving before the crash in which nurse Emma Bagley died.

He was sentenced to two years and six months behind bars.

But his lawyer appealed the conviction - and a new witness told the Court of Appeal in May Edwards had discouraged the driver getting in the car that night.

Crown prosecutor Mary-Jane Thomas told Justice Mander today the Crown wouldn't offer evidence at a retrial.