Imagine being sentenced to 50 years in prison for a murder you didn't commit. That's what a Rockford native, Alan Beaman claims happened to him. He now lives with it every day.

Beaman eventually realized he had a choice to make. He decided to make the best of life in prison. He started a band and focused on religion.

Beaman changed his take on life over the past eleven years. Many people believe his original attitude might be one of the reasons he was convicted.

As optimistic as Beaman tries to be, he still mourns his loss of freedom.

Beaman expects he will eventually win an appeal and be released. Several judges have upheld his conviction in past appeals. The prosecution expects that will happen again with the current appeal.