Man imprisoned in '93 murder of ISU student may soon go free

SPRINGFIELD -- After being imprisoned since 1995 for the murder of an Illinois State University student, Alan Beaman may be moving toward freedom.

McLean County State's Attorney Bill Yoder has reportedly decided not to ask for a review of an Illinois Supreme Court decision last month to scrap Beaman's conviction in the murder of Jennifer Lockmiller.

Beaman's attorney said Thursday that Yoder was not pursuing the case.

The next step is for Beaman to be released from the Dixon Correctional Center and be returned to McLean County where his attorneys will ask that he be released on bond.

Beaman was sentenced to 50 years for Lockmiller's 1993 stabbing and strangling.

The state high court ruled evidence used by prosecutors was weak and violated his right to due process. Justices said prosecutors didn't reveal evidence about another possible suspect.