Former New York City police officer Richard Diguglielmo is set to become a free man again after having his 1997 murder conviction overturned.

Diguglielmo had served 10 years for shooting and killing Charles Campbell. A judge ruled Thursday that Diguglielmo acted in self-defense, and the former police officer is expected to be set free Friday.

During his trial, witnesses testified Diguglielmo was not in danger when he shot Campbell. New testimony surfaced last year, however, with two witnesses claiming they were pressured by police to recant original statements saying Diguglielmo acted in self- defense.

In the decision, Judge Rori Bellatoni criticized former District Attorney Jeanine Pirro saying she "continuously attempted to shift the focus away from the evidence and testimony."

Randall McLaughlin, attorney for the Campbell family, says the decision is an outrage and he hopes an appeals court will reverse it. Further appeals have to come directly from the district attorney's office, however.