Cheers erupted in a Riverhead courtroom Thursday morning after a judge approved $1 million bail for Martin Tankleff.

At a news conference after his bail hearing, Tankleff called the day a ?dream come true.?

Tankleff was convicted in 1990 for the 1988 murders of his parents, Arlene and Seymour Tankleff, at their Belle Terre home. After a detective falsely told the teen his father had awakened from a coma and implicated him, Tankleff confessed to the crimes. However, Tankleff quickly recanted the confession and refused to sign a written statement police had prepared.

Tankleff, who was 17 at the time of the murders, maintained for years that he is innocent and that the murders were arranged by a former business partner of his father.

Last week, an appeals court overturned Tankleff?s conviction, saying new evidence suggested someone else might have killed his parents.

Tankleff has served 17 years of his 50-years-to-life sentence.

Relatives and supporters have tried over the years to win Tankleff the right to a new trial. Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota did not immediately say whether he would seek to prosecute Tankleff again.

Tankleff is due back in a Riverhead courtroom on Jan. 18.

AP wire reports contributed to this story.

Family members celebrate Tankleff's releaseNeighbors react to the Martin Tankleff developmentsTankleff?s full bail hearingTankleff?s statement after his bail hearingFull press conference after Tankleff?s hearingExclusive interview with Tankleff?s aunt and uncle after the bail hearing

For previous News 12 Long Island coverage on the Tankleff case for the past 20 years, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.

Related Information:PreviousTankleff coverageMartinTankleff: The Case Reviewed