American Woman Sandra Hemme, Wrongfully Imprisoned for 43 Years, Released After Conviction Overturned

Sandra Hemme, who served what is believed to be the longest known wrongful imprisonment for a woman in U.S. history, has been released following the overturning of her conviction.

At 64 years old, Hemme was wrongfully imprisoned for 43 years for a crime she did not commit.

Hemme, then 20, was convicted in 1981 for the stabbing death of library worker Patricia Jeschke.

Her conviction was largely based on a confession made under heavy sedation in a psychiatric hospital, which has since been discredited.

Despite a lack of forensic evidence linking her to the crime, the confession was pivotal in her original conviction.

Circuit Court Judge Ryan Horsman’s 118-page ruling on June 14 detailed the key findings leading to the reversal of Hemme’s conviction.

The ruling revealed that crucial evidence of Hemme’s innocence had been withheld from her defense team and that local police ignored evidence pointing to Michael Holman, a now-deceased former officer.

Holman’s truck was seen near the crime scene, his alibi was unverified, and he was found with Jeschke’s credit card and distinctive earrings.

The ruling also noted that Hemme’s confession was given under the influence of antipsychotic medication and a powerful sedative, impairing her ability to provide an accurate account during interrogation.

Following her release, Hemme was reunited with her family in a nearby park, sharing emotional moments with her sister, daughter, and granddaughter. She plans to visit her father, who is in palliative care.

Hemme’s legal team at the Innocence Project expressed gratitude for her release but highlighted the ongoing challenges she faces, including adjusting to life outside prison and ineligibility for social security benefits.

Defense lawyer Sean O’Brien emphasized the need for continued support as Hemme transitions back to life outside of incarceration.