DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A Macon County judge's decision on Thursday could clear the path for a new trial for the Slover family. 

The legal battle seeks to overturn the verdicts against the Slover family. A jury convicted Michael Slover, Janette Slover and Michael Slover Jr. for the 1996 murder of Karyn Hearn Slover.

Defense attorneys for the Slover family argue that all three convictions were a miscarriage of justice. The Illinois Innocence Project and the Exoneration Project believe they have new DNA evidence to overturn the family's convictions.

During Thursday's hearing, Macon County Circuit Court Judge Rodney Forbes denied the State's motion to dismiss the post-conviction relief, clearing the way for an evidentiary hearing. 

The evidentiary hearing will include witnesses, evidence and expert testimony from both sides. After the hearing, the judge could make a ruling that grants the Slover family a new trial. 

Michael Slover Jr. walks into the courtroom ahead of his Aug. 27 court appearance. 

As the judge made his ruling, Michael Slover Jr. could be seen breathing a large sigh of relief, and his shoulders relaxed. 

After Thursday's hearing, WAND News spoke with the Illinois Innocence Project. Attorney Karl Leonard told WAND News this is the next step in giving Michael his day in court. 

"Mr. Slover and his parents have been looking forward to having their day in court for a long time, and we're pleased that they will finally get to have their day in court," Leonard said.  

In March, Forbes ruled the DNA evidence the defense obtained from items from the crime scene could be submitted to the State Data Indexing System and National Data Indexing System, or CODIS. 

Former Macon County State's Attorney Jay Scott, who returned to the role to represent the prosecution, has consistently maintained that the Slover family is responsible for Karyn's 1996 death.

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