Prosecutor dismisses charges against man for 1997 murder

URBANA – A Champaign County prosecutor has dismissed murder charges against a man accused in a 1997 murder.

Assistant State's Attorney Steve Ziegler said that, until federal proceedings are resolved against his star witness who told a jury he falsely implicated Erick Johnson, 29, for the murder of Timothy "Lucky" Payton, he can't prosecute Johnson.

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