SPRINGFIELD - Alan Beaman appeared to move a step closer to freedom Thursday.

McLean County State's Attorney Bill Yoder apparently has decided not to ask for a review of an Illinois Supreme Court decision in May that tossed out Beaman's 1995 conviction in the murder of Jennifer Lockmiller.

Yoder did not immediately return telephone messages Thursday, but Beaman's attorney, Karen Daniel, confirmed that Yoder was not pursuing the case.

Although he no longer stands convicted of the murder, the charges against Beaman still stand, Daniel said.

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

That process could start as early as June 26.

Beaman was sentenced to 50 years behind bars in connection with Lockmiller's 1993 stabbing and strangulation at her apartment near Illinois State University in Normal.

Beaman, originally from Rockford, and Lockmiller, from Decatur, had dated as college students in Bloomington-Normal.

The court ruled evidence used by prosecutors to send Beaman to prison was weak and violated the former Illinois Wesleyan University student's right to due process of law. The court said prosecutors didn't reveal evidence about another possible suspect, known as John Doe in court papers.

Under court rules, Yoder had until Thursday to decide whether to appeal the high court's decision.

Daniel said Yoder's decision was not unexpected, given the Supreme Court's unanimous ruling.

"It doesn't at all surprise me," said Daniel of the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Beaman's mother, Carol Beaman of Rockford, said earlier this week that her son is preparing for his chance at freedom. For example, he's preparing to take his driver's test once he's released, she said.