The Illinois Supreme Court has reversed itself, saying it will consider a lawsuit filed against a town and three former police officers by a man wrongfully convicted in a 1993 murder case.
The Illinois Supreme Court has reversed itself, saying it will consider a lawsuit filed against a town and three former police officers by a man wrongfully convicted in a 1993 murder case.
Alan Beaman’s lawsuit was dismissed by a lower court last year. That ruling was upheld by an appellate court and later the Supreme Court. But the high court reversed its decision on Thursday and granted a petition to consider arguments in the case, The (Bloomington) Pantagraph reported.
Beaman served more than 12 years in prison for the 1993 death of his ex-girlfriend, Jennifer Lockmiller, who was a student at Illinois State University. The Illinois Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 2008, saying evidence against Beaman was less than convincing.
Beaman later filed a lawsuit seeking damages against the town of Normal and former officers he alleges conspired to frame him.
Thomas DiCianni, a lawyer for the town and the former officers, said his clients were puzzled by the Supreme Court’s decision.
« But we’re confident the Supreme Court is not going to see this any differently » than the courts that have previously rejected the lawsuit, DiCianni said.
David Shapiro, one of Beaman’s lawyers, said he was pleased the court has agreed to hear a lawsuit about « a travesty of justice that robbed Alan Beaman of his liberty and youth. »
« Alan’s heroic fight will now continue in the highest court of this state, » Shapiro said.
