Sandra Hemme was 20 years old when she was sentenced to life in prison.
She was sentenced in November 1980, after being found guilty of stabbing Patricia Jeschke, a library employee in Missouri, United States.
But there was no evidence linking her to the crime other than a confession Hemme made under heavy sedation at a psychiatric hospital, a review of her case found.
Hemme is now 64 and her representatives say she has turned 64. longest unjust sentence known against a woman in the history of the United States.
The organization’s legal team Innocence Project (Innocence Project), which took on his case, said they are grateful that Hemme was finally reunited with his family and that they “will continue to fight” to clear his name, because although he is no longer in prison, his case is still under review.
The original 118-page ruling by Circuit Court Judge Ryan Horsman overturning his conviction, issued June 14, said Hemme’s attorneys had clear evidence of his innocence, including some that was not provided to his defense team at the time.
“This court finds that the totality of the evidence supports a finding of actual innocence,” Judge Horsman concluded.
The irregularities of the case
The case review found that the local police ignored evidence that pointed directly to one of his own agents, Michael Holmanwho later went to prison for another crime and died in 2015.
Holman’s truck was seen in the area on the day of the murder, his alibi could not be corroborated and he used victim Patricia Jeschke’s credit card after claiming he found it in a ditch.
A distinctive pair of gold earrings identified by Jeschke’s father were also found at Holman’s home.
None of this was disclosed to Hemme’s defense team at the time, the review said.
Hemme was questioned several times by the police under the influence of antipsychotic drugs and a powerful sedative after being involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Hemme was reported to have received occasional psychiatric treatment from the age of 12.
During questioning, his answers were “monosyllabic” and he was “not fully aware of what was happening,” court documents showed. At times he could barely hold his head up and was in pain from muscle spasms, a side effect of the medications.
Judge Horsman’s review noted that no forensic evidence linked Hemme to the murder. She had no motive and there were no witnesses linking her to the crime.
Sandra Hemme finally He was released from prison on July 19th and met his family in a nearby park where he hugged his sister, his daughter and his granddaughter.
Her father had been hospitalized and was receiving palliative care this week. His legal team said they planned to visit him as soon as they could.
From now on Hemme will live with her sister, the media reported. The Kansas City Star.
Defense attorney Sean O’Brien told the outlet that Hemme will need help because he has spent most of his life in prison without being eligible for social security.
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