Judge Overturns Conviction In 2001 Rochester Slaying

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — A judge has overturned the murder conviction of a man who police have said confessed to a 2001 slaying in Rochester.

A judge said in the ruling released Wednesday that new witnesses in the case provided a more reliable version of the fatal shooting of Miguel Cruz than what police said 15 years ago was Jose Torres' confession.

Angel Carrasquillo, now behind bars for a murder, said at a hearing earlier this year that he had killed Cruz.

Torres has said his confession was coerced.

The Monroe County District Attorney's Office declined to comment, saying it hadn't received the judge's decision. The office can appeal, press for a new trial or allow Torres to go free.

Prosecutors have maintained that Torres is the killer and his confession was legitimate.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]