A judge formally dropped murder charges against Martin Tankleff Tuesday, ending a long legal saga that began with his conviction in 1990.

The office of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo previously recommended that charges be dropped during a hearing that took place on June 30. The judge's decision made that recommendation a reality, meaning Tankleff is now a free man after having served 17 years in prison following the murder of his parents in 1988.

Tankleff has been free on bail since an appeals court overturned his conviction in December of 2007. Following that decision, Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota decided not to retry Tankleff and turned the case over to the attorney general.

A special prosecutor for the attorney general said although there was some evidence that pointed to Tankleff, it wasn't strong enough to take to trial.

Tankleff's attorney, Bruce Barket, says the evidence that points to Tankleff came in the form of a confession that was coerced out of him by police.

Barket has not ruled out the possibility of a civil suit for Tankleff's conviction and subsequent imprisonment.

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