Sandra Hemme, a woman who served 43 years for a murder she did not commit, has finally been released after her conviction was overturned. At 20 years old, she was found guilty of stabbing library worker Patricia Jeschke to death in 1980, despite no evidence linking her to the crime other than a confession given under heavy sedation.
Now 64, Hemme is believed to have served the longest known wrongful conviction of a woman in US history. Her legal team at the Innocence Project expressed gratitude for her release and vowed to continue fighting to clear her name. While she is no longer incarcerated, her case is still under review.
The overturning of her conviction came after a review found clear proof of her innocence, including evidence that was not disclosed to her defense team at the time. The review also revealed that local police had ignored evidence pointing to one of their own officers, Michael Holman, who later went to prison for another crime and has since passed away.
Holman’s truck was seen in the area on the day of the murder, his alibi was uncorroborated, and he used the victim’s credit card after claiming he found it in a ditch. Additionally, a pair of distinctive gold earrings belonging to the victim were found in Holman’s home.
Hemme was interrogated multiple times by police under the influence of medication and sedatives after being involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital. She had no motive for the crime, no forensic evidence linked her to the murder, and there were no witnesses implicating her.
After her release, Hemme was reunited with her family in a nearby park, where she embraced her sister, daughter, and granddaughter. Her father, who is receiving palliative care, is also eager to see her. Her defense lawyer noted that she will need assistance as she transitions back to life outside of prison, having spent the majority of her life behind bars and being ineligible for social security.
