Pantagraph.com | News | Beaman opens up about prison and life on the outside

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

justme2 wrote on Jul 3, 2008 1:37 PM:

" TO Keedo: I do not know who did it, maybe this man did do it. But I seem to remember that there was another person of interest who the police did not really look at. I believe it was a current boyfriend of hers? I may be mistaken as it has been a long time, but I believe there was a current boyfriend at the time or at least someone of interest that the police and detectives simply dismissed as a possibility and instead focused on this man. "

justme2 wrote on Jul 3, 2008 1:35 PM:

" To My Thoughts - Yes there was an explanation of where he was at the time of the murder and it was in Rockford, if I'm not mistaken. The defense was able to provide a timeline and in this timeline, if in fact true, there was no reasonable way that he could have come to normal and back to Rockford in that frame of time, unless he flew like superman. Since we all know that noone can "fly like superman", well then again, if the timeline is true and they have the evidence to prove it, he could not have reasonably committed the crime.

13 years ago, I was 20 years old. I lived here, I heard about it, but to be honest, I didn't follow it closely. Is he innocent? I do not know, but I remember even back then, there was a doubt in my mind of his guilt due to this "timeline" evidence. "

Ankiel wrote on Jul 3, 2008 1:20 PM:

" To Keedo:

Excellent legal logic. Who cares if there's sufficient evidence? Let's just convict him because it doesn't look like anyone else did it. This is why the term "jury of your peers" can be a bit unsettling. The "beyond a reasonable doubt" part gets overlooked way too often by jurors who base their findings on some arbitrary attribute of the defendant, be it race, sex, or age. "

mostly curious wrote on Jul 3, 2008 1:12 PM:

" The only people who know for sure whether he did it or not are Beaman himself and Jennifer Lockmiller. I'm willing to support the justice system and let it run its course. I doubt very much that Bill Yoder will take this to trial again unless he is certain that Beaman is guilty. I am assuming Bill Yoder is a decent human being and would not put this man on trial again if he felt he was innocent, upcoming election or not. That's the stuff of movies, not real life. Get real people. "

keedo98 wrote on Jul 3, 2008 10:17 AM:

" If he did not do it, then who did??? Random murder is rare "

ONLY IN AMERICA wrote on Jul 3, 2008 10:07 AM:

" Just because a couple of professors took the case DOESN'T MEAN HE'S INNOCENT

Thanks to all you arm chair attorneys for the play by play..... "

oldschoolbirdfan wrote on Jul 3, 2008 9:53 AM:

" Doesn't double jeopardy apply? How can the man be tried for the exact same crime twice? Also......to sassy, you are correct, no one is ever found "innocent" by a jurry in a court of law. "Not Guilty" and "innocent" are entirely different concepts. "

Gelfing wrote on Jul 3, 2008 9:33 AM:

" In the eyes of the legal system sassy, he did not commit the crime. His guilt was "overturned", therefore putting him back in the "Innocent until proven" category. Our system guarantees that we are considered innocent, or, NOT having committed the crime, until proof is provided otherwise. "

sassy wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:22 AM:

" Correct me if I'm wrong...and I'm sure you will. I was under the impression that the "Center for Wrongful Convictions" is only stating (& has already proven) that the evidence did not support Beaman's guilty verdict, therefore he was "wrongfully convicted" not necessarily that he did not commit the crime. "

Rivers wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:18 AM:

" The state's attorney is positioning for the opportunity to offer a plea and CYA themselves. They just want to see what kind of defense is assembling for him and it looks like it could be a good team. They'll probably bury the county office in paperwork in the next 6 months. "

Boston wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:04 AM:

" To MadMatigan--Do you really believe that the Center for Wrongful Convictions at a prestigious university like Northwestern would become heavily involved in a case unless they truly believed that there was insufficient evidence or reasonable doubt of Alan's guilt? Were you in town at the time of the crime--I was and I followed the case very closely since I was affiliated with ISU.

Yes, and I am a Christian conservative who has great sympathy for any victim and his or her family. However, I certainly do not want an innocent person imprisoned.
Do you? "

Fishpoop wrote on Jul 3, 2008 7:56 AM:

" Thanks Reader I am still running! I just am working to have my signs made to put through out the yards in bloomington! "

Reader715 wrote on Jul 3, 2008 7:38 AM:

" I forgot to add...I vote for Fishpoop! "

Reader715 wrote on Jul 3, 2008 7:37 AM:

" I know someone that served on that jury and if I recall, they said his "cockiness" is what added weight to a decision...I was surprised at that statement but can see how that would weigh on a jury member. I am personally of the opinion that there was not enough evidence, from what I have read and heard via the news mediums to convict Mr. Beaman and that there seemed to be much left out. Kudos to the Center of Wrongful Convictions for taking this on. Mr. Yoder...these folks don't take something on unless they know they can win, please don't waste our tax money. Best of luck to you Mr. Beaman...hopefully all of this will be behind you soon. "

Stuart wrote on Jul 3, 2008 7:03 AM:

" Welcome home Mr. Beaman "

My Thoughts... wrote on Jul 3, 2008 5:55 AM:

" To Boston: "Forget about it"? I have faith that there MUST be something there. Maybe he is innocent....Maybe not? I agree with the person that said that there may be evidence that we don't know about. Does he have an explaination for where he was at the time of the murder? Come on people- if he is guilty, wouldn't you rather he spent time in prison- or should he go free? There is a reason Yoder is proceeding with this- at least give him a chance. Why is it that we place blame on someone who is doing his job? My sympathy is for the Lockmiller family- I HOPE YOU GET CLOSURE AND JUSTICE IS SERVED- Hang in there..... "

MadMartigan wrote on Jul 3, 2008 12:53 AM:

" I love this town.

You'd think that by reading these comments regularly that there are nothing but a bunch of Pat Robertson/Rush Limbaugh clones ready to line up anyone associated with a crime for public executions.

Yet here is a man who went through a trial for murder and has had his name dragged through the mud that is Central Illinois print media through two decades now, and he is regarded as a saint. Not knowing anymore about his guilt or innocence than any of the "names" below this post, I find it baffling that Mr. Beaman has emerged squeaky-clean from the court of public opinion. Perhaps our ELECTED State's Attorney Mr. Yoder, who doubtless has access to much more information about this case upon which he based his educated decision to retry, would do well to contact some of these individuals with too much time on their hands to see what facts and figures their opinion is based on.

Oh, and I am well aware of the blatant hypocrisy I exhibit by posting my unsolicited observation, but the irony is too delicious to pass up. "

senior lady wrote on Jul 2, 2008 10:52 PM:

" My son was convicted for a crime he did not commit. The states attorney didn't care. He only wanted another notch in his belt. I wonder if he would like to sit in a cell knowing that he did not commit the crime. It is so unfair, and if they had done a little more research, they would have found out the truth, but that didn't interest them. I hope that Mr. Yoder, like states attorneys in other counties, will think harder before they jump on the conviction bandwagon. Good luck to Mr. Beaman. I'm sorry he has to endure another trial. I'm sorry that the taxpayers will have to foot the bill. "

masteryoda wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:47 PM:

" I won't say he is guilty or not guilty like the rest of you claiming he is not. Why don't we let the State's Attorney make the decision on if there is enough evidence to go a head with another trial. A jury of 12 came to the decision once he was guilty and they seemed to have enough to convince them, unless we have strong proof he didn't or couldn't have done it let's not rush to judgment either way until they look at all the evidence again. Hendricks was found not guilty a second time also, doesn't mean he didn't do it. If Pelo gets his conviction overturned in ten years are you all going to jump to his defense and say don't retry him he his innocent, or it would be a waste of money to retry him? That's why we have a legal system and hopefully it works. "

Philomath wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:48 PM:

" There's no way Beaman did this. One of the John Does had more motive and opportunity. "

Boston wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:21 PM:

" Good luck, Alan. Once again, I plead with Bill Yoder not to retry Alan Beaman. Give
everyone in McLean County a break and forget about it! As I have written before, I will NEVER support Bill Yoder again as I have in the past if he retries Alan. I am convinced that the evidence is too weak to convict him. Doesn't he think that Alan already has suffered enough?

Again, my sympathies to the Lockmiller family in the loss of their daughter. "

isunormalil wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:08 PM:

" Karen L. Daniel for States Attorney! "

isunormalil wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:07 PM:

" Yoder is trying to make a name for himself for his reelection. Yoder needs to be impeached with the governor and Emil Jones. Why doesn't the news media call him out for wasting our tax dollars? "

mod1 wrote on Jul 2, 2008 5:34 PM:

" Yoder will have his backside handed to him on this one.
Why would you retry this case? "

Charlemagne wrote on Jul 2, 2008 5:21 PM:

" That is so horrible, having your life changed as you sit in prison for a crime that you did not commit. Imagine if that happened to you, it is a horrible thought. I hope the truth comes out and justice is served "

michelle24 wrote on Jul 2, 2008 5:03 PM:

" I wish you the best, Alan. "

420 man wrote on Jul 2, 2008 4:06 PM:

" why retry him??? i really want to know. Yoder is a tool!!! "

tiltee2 wrote on Jul 2, 2008 4:02 PM:

" Thank you to all of the people who did not assume this man was guilty. I am glad he was granted freedom and has a second chance at life with his family and friends. "

barelybreathing83 wrote on Jul 2, 2008 3:54 PM:

" Best wishes to the Beaman family. "

Fishpoop wrote on Jul 2, 2008 3:33 PM:

" Thank you to the attorneys that are fighting for Alan and standing by him!!!! Friends of his from college are there anytime for trial if we need be!!!! "

Ads by Yahoo!

Refinance Rates As Low As 5.34%

Online Degrees

New Car Weekly Sales