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Judge Dismisses Arguments Against Reinvestigating Heidelberg Case

Peoria 10th Circuit Court Judge Al Purham stands by his original ruling: The 1970 case involving Cleve Heidelberg must be reinvestigated by the Illinois Attorney General.

"I believe in transparency," Purham said.

That was his final statement in the courtroom Thurs., after hearing arguments from the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s office in defense of his decision not to reopen Heidelberg’s case.

At issue was State’s Attorney Jerry Brady’s personal ties to the trial's lead prosecutor, who Brady contacted before determining not to reopen the case earlier this year.

Circuit Judge Al Purham told the court he "has a problem with the State’s Attorney's office investigating itself."

The hearing came in response to a motion to reconsider, filed by Brady's office on Aug. 16.

The next hearing for Heidelberg’s case is set for September 22nd. Last month, Judge Purham ordered the case be reviewed by a special prosecutor from the Illinois Attorney General’s office.