A 20-yr-old murder case in Kankakee is about to take a new turn. Aureliuse “Buddy” Piper was convicted and sentenced to 39-years in prison for the 1997 murders of three people – M.T. Hawkins Sr., Patricia Easter (who was Easter’s girlfriend) and M.T. Hawkins Jr. (the senior Hawkins’ 9-yr-old son).

Now, 55-yr-old Buddy Piper is set to be released from prison. The case has a long history of court hearings. Piper was convicted four times but all were overturned on appeal. And there will not be a 5th trial.

According to the Daily-Journal, in a recent plea deal Piper did not plead guilty to the three murders...but the deal will let him walk free. Piper doesn’t admit to the charges against him but admits the prosecution likely could prove them.. He’ll be on parole for three years after his release.

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