Missouri
Missouri woman imprisoned for library worker’s 1980 murder will get hearing that could lead to her release
A Missouri woman who has spent more than 40 years in prison for a murder her supporters believe she did not commit will get a court hearing that could lead to her release.
The Missouri attorney general’s office has agreed to an evidentiary hearing for Sandra Hemme, 63, who was convicted of murder in the Nov. 12, 1980, killing of Patricia Jeschke, a library worker in St. Joseph, The Kansas City Star reported Thursday.
Lawyers for the Innocence Project filed a petition in February seeking to exonerate and free Hemme, who was a patient at a psychiatric hospital when she gave conflicting statements about the murder to investigators.
“Police exploited her mental illness and coerced her into making false statements while she was sedated and being treated with antipsychotic medication,” the Innocence Project said.
In a response filed last week, the attorney general’s office asked Circuit Judge Ryan Horsman to require lawyers involved in the case to be ready to set a date for the evidentiary hearing when they meet on July 10.
Her attorneys say the only evidence linking Hemme to Jeschke’s death were “wildly contradictory” and “factually impossible” statements she gave to detectives while she was a patient at the St. Joseph State Hospital’s psychiatric ward.
She initially didn’t mention a murder, then claimed Jeschke was killed by a man who police later determined was in Topeka at the time, and then later said she knew about the murder because of “extrasensory perception,” according to her attorneys.
Two weeks after Jeschke’s nude body was found on the floor of her apartment in eastern St. Joseph, Hemme told authorities she thought she stabbed the victim with a knife but then added “I don’t know. I don’t know,” according to her attorneys.
The attorney general’s office said Hemme’s attorneys have “alleged facts that if true may entitle her to relief.”
Hemme initially pleaded guilty to capital murder, but her conviction was thrown out on appeal. She was then found guilty in 1985 during a one-day jury trial in which the only evidence was her “confession.”
The Innocence Project says state officials withheld evidence during the trial that would have implicated a 22-year-old St. Joseph police officer who was investigated for insurance fraud and burglaries and later spent time in prison in Missouri and Nebraska. He died in 2015.
Hemme’s lawyer also presented no witnesses at her trial, which lasted just one day, according to the Innocence Project.
Shortly after Jeschke was found dead, the officer used her credit card. Jeschke’s earrings were found in his apartment and the officer’s colleagues could not corroborate his alibi – that he was having sex with another woman at a motel next to Jeschke’s apartment when she was killed.
Lloyd Pasley, who was a senior member in St. Joseph’s detective division in 1980 and served twice as interim police chief in the department, said he believes Hemme is innocent and evidence suggests the officer was the killer.
The Missouri attorney general’s office, currently held by Republican Andrew Bailey, has a long history of opposing wrongful conviction motions. Bailey’s office did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Bailey has only been in office since January. But his predecessor, Eric Schmidt, who is now a U.S. senator, fought against efforts to free Kevin Strickland. He was exonerated in 2021 after spending 43 years in prison for a triple murder he did not commit. Schmidt also opposed an effort to exonerate Lamar Johnson, who was freed in February after 28 years in prison.
Kent Gipson, a Kansas City-based attorney who has filed hundreds of post-conviction claims over three decades, said he could think of only one other innocence case where the attorney general’s office agreed to an evidentiary hearing. Gibson is not involved in the Hemme case.
The Innocence Project said the St. Joseph police also wrongfully convicted a person with a mental health illness not long before Jeschke’s killing. In 1979, Melvin Lee Reynolds, who also was a patient at St. Joseph’s State Hospital, was convicted in the 1978 murder of a 4-year-old boy, the group said. Officers allegedly obtained a false confession from Reynolds after interrogating him repeatedly, according to the Innocence Project.
Four years later, Reynolds was exonerated.
Click the + Icon To See Additional Sharing Options
Between January 6, 2025, and January 8, 2025, the Missouri State Highway Patrol made a total of eight arrests across north Missouri. The charges ranged from driving while intoxicated to felony parole violations.
It is important to note that, while all the individuals listed below have been reported as arrested, they may not have been physically transported to jail. Depending on the circumstances, an individual may be issued a summons, which includes a court date. When the Missouri State Highway Patrol issues a summons with a court date, it is considered an arrest, even if the individual is not physically taken to jail.
Paul C. Schuetz, 53, of Savannah, Missouri
On January 6, 2025, at 7:05 PM, Paul C. Schuetz was arrested in Andrew County. Schuetz was charged with failing to drive on the right half of the roadway and driving while intoxicated (alcohol). He was held at the Andrew County Law Enforcement Center on a 12-hour hold.
Roberto Lopez-Vargas, 31, of Des Moines, Iowa
Roberto Lopez-Vargas was arrested in Clinton County on January 8, 2025, at 5:37 PM. He faced charges of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, a felony, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, a misdemeanor. Lopez-Vargas was held at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office on a 24-hour hold.
Derrick A. Woodruff, 41, of Kahoka, Missouri
On January 6, 2025, at 12:50 PM, Derrick A. Woodruff was arrested in Scotland County. His charges included driving while intoxicated (first offense), failure to maintain the right half of the roadway, and driving without insurance. Woodruff was held at the Clark County Jail on a 12-hour hold.
John W. Snell, 38, of Knox City, Missouri
John W. Snell was arrested in Lewis County on January 7, 2025, at 1:16 AM. He was taken into custody on a Shelby County warrant for a moving traffic violation. Snell was held at the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department and was bondable.
Peggy A. Stepuszek, 67, of Lockport, Illinois
On January 7, 2025, at 11:50 AM, Peggy A. Stepuszek was arrested in Macon County. She was charged with driving while intoxicated (alcohol) and speeding. Stepuszek was held at the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and later released.
Dillion S. Levings, 38, of Paris, Missouri
At 2:11 PM on January 7, 2025, Dillion S. Levings was arrested in Randolph County. He faced charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving without a valid license, and failure to register a motor vehicle. Levings was held at the Randolph County Jail and was bondable.
Anthony R. Miller, 39, of Arbela, Missouri
On January 7, 2025, at 4:40 PM, Anthony R. Miller was arrested in Clark County. Miller faced charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from the Clark County facility.
Jeffrey L. Kimbal, 45, of Brookfield, Missouri
Jeffrey L. Kimbal was arrested on January 7, 2025, at 6:44 PM in Linn County. Kimbal faced a felony charge for a parole violation warrant. He was held at the Linn County Jail without bond.
Post Views: 1,063
Related
Click the + Icon To See Additional Sharing Options
Missouri
Firebug sentenced to 12 years in prison for torching occupied Missouri home using Takis chips
She took the meaning of Takis Fuego literally.
A Missouri woman was sentenced to 12 years behind bars after she intentionally torched a home full of people using a bag of Takis tortilla chips.
Patricia Williams, 44, was handed her sentence Tuesday after pleading guilty to first-degree arson for sparking the Aug. 11, 2023, blaze in Greene County, multiple outlets reported.
Williams admitted to authorities that she used the spicy snack to start the fire knowing it would combust due to its high grease content, according to court documents.
The convicted arsonist was captured on surveillance footage purchasing $2 of gasoline at a nearby gas station before entering a home and pouring the petrol from a soda bottle onto a pile of clothes and all over the laundry room floor.
The firebug then ignited the Takis chips and tossed the flaming bag onto the gasoline-soaked garments, setting the house ablaze, according to court documents.
Three people managed to escape the home without injury and reported Williams to the police after witnessing her brazen deed.
The pyro was later discovered with soot still on her face and was booked at Greene County Jail, local outlets reported.
Police also found Williams had several warrants out for her arrest, court documents show.
The relationship between Williams and the victims remains unclear.
Detroit Police officers authorized to wear Lions hats during NFL playoffs
Newsom calls Trump's claims 'pure fiction' after president-elect points finger over California fire tragedy
At SF Mayor Lurie’s Chinatown Party, Dancing, Fireworks and a Promise of Unity | KQED
Dallas Mavericks game moved up due to weather
Agent Sheds Light on Hill Situation
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
The 39th president will be buried later at his Georgia home. Here’s the latest.
FBI informant who made up Biden bribe story gets 6 years in prison
Three Gaza hospitals face imminent closure as latest Israeli raids kill 50
LA fires: What's happening in Los Angeles, and what caused the wildfires?
Hollywood Hills Fire Threatens Beloved Los Angeles Landmarks
-
Business1 week agoThese are the top 7 issues facing the struggling restaurant industry in 2025
-
Culture1 week agoThe 25 worst losses in college football history, including Baylor’s 2024 entry at Colorado
-
Sports1 week agoThe top out-of-contract players available as free transfers: Kimmich, De Bruyne, Van Dijk…
-
Politics7 days agoNew Orleans attacker had 'remote detonator' for explosives in French Quarter, Biden says
-
Politics6 days agoCarter's judicial picks reshaped the federal bench across the country
-
Politics5 days agoWho Are the Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
-
Health4 days agoOzempic ‘microdosing’ is the new weight-loss trend: Should you try it?
-
World1 week agoIvory Coast says French troops to leave country after decades