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MAYSVILLE, Mo. (AP) --

Update: Monday, Dec. 13 at 6:26 p.m.

A central Missouri man whose conviction in the 1993 killing of his mother was overturned last month is now out of prison.

Dale Helmig, 54, had been serving a life sentence for first-degree murder since 1996 at a Cameron prison in northwest Missouri. A trial judge threw out the conviction, saying Helmig was the victim of injustice, and an appeals court ruled Monday he could be released on bond pending the state's appeal.

At a hearing later Monday, a judge set Helmig's bond at $5,000. His elated brother, Richard Helmig, was picking him up at the northwest Missouri courthouse.

The murder charge against Dale Helmig remains in place while the state appeals the reversal. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said the $5,000 bond for someone charged with murder is nearly unprecedented.

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Original Story:

A central Missouri man whose conviction in his mother's 1993 murder was overturned could be free on bond on Monday.

A Missouri appeals court sustained a defense motion Monday to release Dale Helmig. His attorney, Sean O'Brien, said the decision is a "huge step in the right direction."

Helmig must post 10 percent of a $50,000 bond before he can be released. O'Brien predicted that Helmig will be freed sometime Monday.

Helmig was convicted of murdering his mother, Norma Helmig. Her body was found tied to a concrete block in a flood-swollen river in Osage County. Her son was sentenced to life in prison.

A judge cited prosecutorial zeal, false evidence and poor representation in overturning the conviction.