SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Lawyers of an Illinois man exonerated of murder charges say he deserves a chance to present his case against a town and three former officers.

The Pantagraph reports that attorneys argued Thursday before the Illinois Supreme Court regarding Alan Beaman’s lawsuit against the town of Normal and retired officers Dave Warner, Tim Freesmeyer and Frank Zayas.

Beaman served more than 12 years of a 50-year sentence on murder charges related to the 1993 death of his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lockmiller. The state’s high court reversed his conviction in 2008 after deciding the evidence wasn’t convincing.

Beaman is asking the court to reverse a lower court’s ruling dismissing his lawsuit, which alleges the town and officers conspired to frame him. His attorneys say a jury should review the case.

The town’s lawyer says allowing a jury to consider the accusations could set a negative precedent for police.