When Cleve Heidelberg woke up in his jail cell Monday morning, he didn’t know he’d be stepping outside hours later in civilian clothing. In fact, Heidelberg was notified just minutes before that he’d be released, for the first time in 47 years.

Cleve Heidelberg could just be days away from stepping outside Peoria County Jail, for the first time since 1970. On Friday, Peoria County Judge Al Purham set bond for Heidelberg at $500,000, which means he must put up 10 percent, $50,000, to be released from custody.

This week, 73-year-old Cleve Heidelberg will have spent exactly 46 years in prison. Heidelberg, a black man, was convicted of murdering a Peoria County Sheriff’s sergeant in 1970. Since that time, Heidelberg has filed numerous petitions arguing his innocence.

A 45-year-old Peoria murder case is being brought back to light. After reviewing details of the incident, court documents and statements from witnesses, several people say the suspect who’s serving a 100-year prison sentence is innocent.