PHOTO GALLERY: Evidentiary hearing for Ryan Ferguson begins

April 16, 2012 | 4:25 p.m. CDT

An evidentiary hearing to consider a new trial for Ryan Ferguson in the 2001 murder of Columbia Tribune sports editor Ken Heitholt began Monday. The hearing is taking place in Cole County, where Ferguson is serving his prison sentence.

Ryan Ferguson enters a Cole County Circuit courtroom. On Monday, an evidentiary hearing began to consider a new trial for Ferguson in the 2001 murder of Columbia Tribune sports editor Kent Heitholt. | August Kryger/The Associated Press

Ryan Ferguson, right, talks to his attorney Kathleen Zellner in the Cole County Circuit courtroom on Monday. | August Kryger/The Associated Press

Convicted murder defendant Ryan Ferguson listens to Assistant Attorney General Ted Bruce deliver his opening statements during an evidentiary hearing in April. | August Kryger/The Associated Press