A U.S. District judge Friday threw out the racketeering murder conviction against the two NYPD officers who became known as "mafia cops."

Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa were found guilty in Brooklyn court in April of committing or facilitating eight murders for the Luchese crime family while on the force. However, the judge found the statute of limitations had expired on the slayings. The judge also ordered the two be given a new trial on money laundering and drug charges.

The 77-page ruling agreed with a jury that Eppolito and Caracappa were guilty of murder, kidnapping and other crimes. But the judge said the law compelled him to set aside the verdict.Related Information