A Historic Injustice
Hemme’s 43-year imprisonment marks the longest time a woman has been incarcerated for a wrongful conviction in the United States. Her attorneys filed a motion seeking her immediate release, expressing gratitude to the court for acknowledging the severe injustice Hemme had suffered for over four decades.
“We are grateful to the Court for acknowledging the grave injustice Ms. Hemme has endured for more than four decades,” her attorneys said in a statement. They vowed to continue their efforts to have the charges dismissed and to reunite Hemme with her family.
The Crime
The tragic events began on November 13, 1980, when Patricia Jeschke failed to show up for work. Her worried mother discovered her daughter’s body in her apartment, surrounded by blood. Jeschke’s hands were tied behind her back with a telephone cord, and a pair of pantyhose was wrapped around her neck. A knife was found under her head.
The brutal nature of the killing captured public attention, and detectives worked tirelessly to solve the case. Hemme, however, was not initially a suspect.
