John,

Sandra “Sandy” Hemme has spent more than four decades in prison for a crime that evidence supports she did not commit, making her the longest-known wrongly incarcerated woman in the U.S.

But even though she’s spent the majority of her life in prison for something she didn’t do, she still has hope that her name will be cleared — and we’re working every day to make that hope a reality. Will you join our efforts by signing this petition and showing your support for Sandy as we fight for her freedom?

Despite the fact that no physical evidence or eyewitness tied her to the crime, Sandy was convicted of the 1980 murder of Patricia Jeschke in St. Joseph, Missouri. At the time, Sandy was a 20-year-old psychiatric patient receiving treatment at a local hospital. Police questioned her for hours while she was physically restrained, sedated, and being treated with antipsychotic medication. They completely exploited her mental illness and coerced her into making false statements while she was in a vulnerable state.

Then, during her trial, the jury was left in the dark about the extremely coercive circumstances in which police obtained her false statements. Sandy’s trial lasted just one day, and her attorney presented no witnesses.

We’re working to free Sandy and resolve this horrible injustice. Will you show your support for Sandy’s fight for freedom by adding your name to this petition right now?

Thank you so much for your support,

The Innocence Project Team