The 3rd District Appellate Court has remanded the bond hearing for Cleve Heidelberg back to the Circuit Court.
Peoria County Circuit Judge Al Purham vacated Heidelberg’s murder conviction last month and ordered a new trail. The 74-year-old man was convicted of shooting and killing Peoria County Sheriff’s Sergeant Raymond Espinoza at the Bellevue Drive-in Theatre in 1970. Heidelberg has been incarcerated since his arrest. New evidence introduced before the circuit court raises the question of reasonable doubt.
But during Heidelberg’s bond hearing last week Judge Purham asked the 3rd District Appellate Court to determine whether it was appropriate to grant Heidelberg bond and release pending a new trial.
The Appellate court also ordered a the circuit court to do an evidence-based vital-risk assessment of Heidelberg by May 10th.