(SOUNDBITE) (English) LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE MARK ARNOLD, SAYING OFF-CAMERA:

"The petition is granted. The judgment is vacated. The conviction is overturned and as to Ms. Mellen, the case is dismissed."

After spending 17 years behind bars, Susan Mellen cried tears of joy Friday as a judge overturned her conviction

59 year old Mellen was convicted in 1998 of killing her former boyfriend. She served 17 years of her sentence until a judge ruled she had been wrongly accused.

During a news conference after her release, she thanked her family for their support and said she looks forward to spending time getting re-acquainted with them.

Mellen's case was re-examined after the testimony which incriminated her had been called into doubt.

Local attorney Deirdre O'Connor.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) LAWYER DEIRDRE O'CONNOR SAYING

"She was convicted because it was a titillating story and the prosecutor was skilled and the defense was not."