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Here’s what’s been going on at the Innocence Project this month.
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8 Facts About Sandra Hemme's Case You Need to Know
Sandra “Sandy” Hemme has spent the last 42 years in prison for a crime that evidence suggests she did not commit, making her the longest-known wrongly incarcerated woman in the United States. She was convicted for the 1980 murder of Patricia Jeschke in St. Joseph, Missouri, despite no physical evidence or witness tying her to the crime. Police targeted her while she was a psychiatric patient receiving treatment. They exploited her mental illness and coerced her into making false statements while she was in this deeply vulnerable state. Now, the Innocence Project team is working to free Sandy. Please take a moment to read about her case, and then help us raise awareness about this injustice by sharing this article on
social media.
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 Image from the Albert “Ian” Schweitzer court case
Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023 in Hilo, Hawaii. (Marco Garcia/The Innocence Project)
Help Ian Schweitzer After Wrongful Conviction
Ian Schweitzer spent nearly 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit based on false informant testimony. Thankfully in January of this year, Ian was exonerated based on new DNA testing that excluded him and identified a single unknown male suspect. Now he’s out of prison and trying to rebuild his life after more than two decades of wrongful incarceration — will you help him get back on his feet by making a donation to his personal fundraising page right now?
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 Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies during her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (Image: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
9 Women Who’ve Made History in the Legal System
During Women’s History Month, we wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the trailblazing women who have led the way for change and who embody the spirit of progress in the legal space. While we certainly still have a long way to go when it comes to gender equity, it’s worth looking back at the icons and pioneers who got us to where we are today. Read and learn more about these nine women who have made history in our legal system.
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 Kyana Champion (left) and Tyrone Holmes (right). (Image: Courtesy of Kyana Champion)
How the Innocence Project’s Social Work Team Supports Exonerees Reclaiming Their Autonomy
March was Social Work Month, so we celebrated our incredible social work team and recognize the dedication, compassion, and empathy they impart to serve people in transition. A key part of the work we do at the Innocence Project is supporting exonerees after they get out of prison and ensuring that they have a smooth transition back home — and it’s our social work team who takes on that responsibility. In honor of all the social workers out there, please take a moment to read more about our team’s work, and then watch this video that highlights the incredible work this
time does.
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New Colorado Law Makes It Easier for Wrongly Convicted People to Prove Innocence Using DNA Evidence
In March, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed new legislation into law that fixes Colorado’s post-conviction DNA testing statute to help ensure that wrongly convicted Coloradans can access DNA testing that can prove their innocence. In the 20 years since Colorado’s original post-conviction DNA testing statute was enacted, it has only allowed a handful of petitioners to access DNA testing. Learn more about the new law and how it will help reverse more injustices in Colorado.
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Peter L. Markowitz, Professor of Law at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Joins the Innocence Project Board of Directors
We are so excited to announce that Peter L. Markowitz, professor and Associate Dean of Equity in Curriculum and Teaching at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, has been elected to our Board of Directors. As the founder and co-director of the Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigration Justice Clinic, Professor Markowitz is an expert on the intersection of criminal and immigration law, which is the clinic’s prime focus, in addition to immigration enforcement issues. Read more about Peter’s work and why he wanted to join the Innocence Project team.
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Exonerations Around the U.S.
University of Indiana McKinney School of Law Wrongful Conviction Clinic client Leon Benson was exonerated on March 8, 2023 after serving 25 years wrongfully incarcerated; Michigan Innocence Clinic client Mack Howell was exonerated on March 20, 2023 after serving 7.5 years wrongfully incarcerated; Innocence Project of Florida client Sidney Holmes was exonerated on March 13, 2023 after serving 34
years wrongfully incarcerated; CPCS Innocence Program client Barry Kamara was exonerated on March 21, 2023 after serving 18 years wrongfully incarcerated.
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