By AP/St. Louis Public Radio
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has filed paperwork aimed at keeping Dale Helmig behind bars, at least for now.
Helmig's conviction for the 1993 killing of his mother was thrown out earlier this month. Monday was the deadline for the state to challenge the judge's ruling, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Koster filed paperwork just before the deadline.
Koster has not taken a position on Helmig's guilt, but has said it is appropriate for an appellate court to review whether Dekalb County Senior Judge Warren McElwain acted within his jurisdiction in tossing out the conviction.
Helmig's attorney, Sean O'Brien, also filed paperwork on Monday.
O'Brien is asking the appellate court to release Helmig on bond.
McElwain cited prosecutorial zeal, false evidence and poor representation in overturning the 1996 conviction.