A Manhattan judge tossed out a murder conviction Tuesday and ordered a new trial for a man who has spent 25 years in jail for the 1990 stabbing death of a Utah tourist on a subway platform that became emblematic of one of New York City’s bloodiest years.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Eduardo Padro denied Johnny Hincapie’s motion to vacate his conviction on the grounds of actual innocence, but vacated his conviction on the basis of new evidence. Hincapie’s relatives, who were in the courtroom, erupted into cheers and began to cry.