John,

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. Nevertheless, police targeted Sandy, then a 20-year-old psychiatric patient receiving treatment at St. Joseph’s State Hospital. Police questioned her for hours while she was sedated, physically restrained, and being forcibly medicated. Police exploited her mental illness and coerced her into making false statements while she was in this deeply vulnerable state.

Sandy’s case is absolutely heartbreaking, and here at the Innocence Project, we’re fighting to get her the justice she deserves. Will you take a moment right now to read more about Sandy’s case and then share her story with your friends and family online to help raise awareness?

During her trial, the jury was never told about the profoundly coercive circumstances under which police obtained her statements. Sandy’s trial lasted only one day, and her attorney presented no witnesses. Police hid evidence that implicated a fellow police officer as the person who actually killed Patricia Jeschke.

There is overwhelming evidence that points to Sandy’s innocence — and that’s why her legal team has filed a petition for habeas relief in the 43rd Circuit Court of Livingston County.

We’re working every day to free Sandy, but we need to build up support for her. Please, read through the facts of her case right now, and then share her story on social media to help spread the word about this injustice.

Thank you so much for your support,

The Innocence Project Team