As Amanda Knox’s knees buckled and tears streamed down her face when the judge announced to a stunned Italian courtroom and to the world that the 24-year-old had been acquitted of murder, one of her attorneys watched and cheered from thousands of miles away.

Theodore “Ted” Simon watched the verdict come down from a TV screen in New York City.

He watched in silence, making small notes, as the judge first announced that Knox had been found guilty of slander and would have to pay a fine, but when the judge said, “Both defendants have been acquitted by the charges A, B,C,” referring to the murder charges, Simon let out a loud, “YES!” and fist-pumped the air.

“Thank God,” he said, then returned to his laptop.

In an interview with “Nightline,” Simon said the verdict ”absolutely makes clear” that Knox wasn’t responsible for the death of her British roommate, Meredith Kercher, and explained his reaction.

“My reaction was I was extremely appreciative, grateful and certainly thankful,” he said. ”Not only for Amanda but for her family because this was a monumental wrongful conviction, and it finally was corrected.”

Simon went on to say that the next step for Knox and her family is to undergo “regrouping and serious reflection.” Knox is expected to return home to Seattle immediately.

“[They will] start re-evaluating their lives and seeing things much differently without the horrific weight that has been burdening them for so long.” Simon said. “This has been a four-year nightmarish marathon that no child, or parent should ever have to endure.”

Tune into “Nightline” tonight at 11:35 ET to watch the full report of the Amanda Knox trial.