In fact, "no other witnesses or direct evidence (linked) Milke to the crime" other than Saldate's testimony.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

The detective testified he "didn't buy" Milke's reaction after he informed her that her son was dead.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

That was the plan, she said, when the boy got into the car with Milke's roommate, James Styers.

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"In the balance hangs the life of Milke, " Kozinski said, explaining the importance of his decision to overturn her convictions.

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The detective, Armando Saldate, said the friend told him that Debra Milke was involved in a plot to kill her son.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

But Milke offered a vastly different view of the interrogation and denied that she had confessed to any role in a murder plot.

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After pleading not guilty, Milke stood trial and tried to convince a jury that her account -- and not the detective's -- was the true one.

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Once this is done, a district court must order Milke's release unless prosecutors tell the court within 30 days that they plan to retry her soon.

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After that, Saldate said he placed Milke under arrest.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS