Missouri Woman’s Conviction Overturned After 43 Years in Prison

A judge has overturned the conviction of Sandra Hemme, a Missouri woman who has spent 43 years behind bars for a 1980 killing. Hemme, who was a psychiatric patient at the time of her incrimination, has been granted a new trial or immediate release within 30 days. Judge Ryan Horsman ruled that Hemme had presented evidence of her actual innocence and criticized her trial counsel’s ineffectiveness, as well as the prosecution’s failure to disclose exculpatory evidence.

Hemme’s attorneys, representing the New York-based Innocence Project, have argued that the crime was committed by Michael Holman, a former police officer who had attempted to use the victim’s credit card. They claim that authorities ignored Hemme’s inconsistent statements and suppressed evidence pointing to Holman’s involvement. The judge concurred, stating that there was no evidence connecting Hemme to the crime, while evidence directly implicated Holman.

The case dates back to November 13, 1980, when Patricia Jeschke, a 31-year-old library worker, was found brutally murdered in her apartment. Hemme, who had a history of psychiatric hospitalizations, came under suspicion when she showed up at a nurse’s home carrying a knife and refusing to leave. She was heavily sedated and unable to articulate coherent responses during initial questioning.

Throughout the interrogations, Hemme’s statements changed dramatically, often incorporating details that the police had recently uncovered. She initially accused a man named Joseph Wabski of the murder, but he was later cleared when it was discovered he was at an alcohol treatment center during the crime. Hemme then confessed to being the lone killer, but police began to focus on Holman, who had been arrested for insurance fraud and had attempted to use Jeschke’s credit card.

Despite evidence linking Holman to the crime, the investigation abruptly ended, and crucial details were withheld from Hemme’s defense team. Faced with mounting pressure, Hemme eventually pleaded guilty to capital murder in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. However, her guilty plea was later overturned on appeal, and she was convicted again in 1985 after a one-day trial that excluded information about coercive interrogations.

Hemme’s attorneys have filed a motion seeking her immediate release, emphasizing the injustice she has endured for over four decades. They vow to continue their efforts to dismiss the charges and reunite Hemme with her family. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office has not yet commented on the judge’s ruling.