DNA could back innocence claim in ‘93 ISU killing
CHAMPAIGN — A lawyer says another set of DNA test results strengthen the claims of innocence of a man who spent 13 years in prison for the killing of his ex-girlfriend.
The Illinois Supreme Court reversed Alan Beaman’s conviction in 2008 and he is seeking a certificate of innocence.
One of his lawyers, Karen Daniel, says the DNA results she was handed at a court hearing Tuesday “clearly advance” the case, which the state is opposing.
The (Bloomington) Pantagraph reported that she would not discuss specifics.
In an earlier round of testing in June, a vaginal swab taken from murder victim Jennifer Lockmiller contained no DNA from Beaman.
Lockmiller, an Illinois State University student, was stabbed and strangled in 1993.
The innocence petition could entitle Beaman to $170,000 in state compensation.