A Missouri woman who spent over 43 years in prison for a murder her attorneys believe was committed by a discredited police officer may soon be released after a judge overturned her conviction. If released, Sandra Hemme will have the longest known wrongful conviction of a woman in U.S. history. Judge Ryan Horsman ruled that Hemme has established evidence of innocence and must be freed within 30 days unless prosecutors retry her. Hemme’s attorneys with the Innocence Project filed a motion seeking her immediate release.
Hemme’s attorneys expressed gratitude for the court’s acknowledgment of the injustice she endured and vowed to continue their efforts to dismiss the charges. The case revolves around Hemme’s unreliable statements and suppressed evidence implicating the former police officer, Michael Holman. Despite no evidence linking her to the crime, Hemme was convicted in 1985 after a contentious legal battle.
Hemme’s story highlights the failures of the justice system, with her attorney Larry Harman stating, “The system failed her at every opportunity.” Her potential release marks a crucial moment in a decades-long fight for justice.