A woman found guilty of a 1980 Buchanan County murder, Sandra L. Hemme, filed a Habeas Corpus suit in February of 2023 against the prison seeking release. Hemme has been serving her sentence at the Chillicothe Correction Center.
In January, a hearing was held in Livingston County Circuit Court on a Writ of Habeas Corpus, asserting her innocence and challenging her conviction. Much of this was based on expulsory evidence not disclosed to the defendant.
As a result of the hearing, on June 14th, Judge Ryan Horsman’s judgment was the Writ of Habeas Corpus is Granted and the state was to discharge Hemme unless she is brought to trial in 30 days.
A Motion To Stay and deny release was filed by the Prison to allow the state to review the order from the court.
On July 9th, an order of release for Sandra Hemme was issued by Judge Horsman. She is to be released on her own recognizance but shall be subject to special conditions. These include residing with her sister in Higginsville, refrain from the use of alcohol or controlled substances, and she must obtain a mental health evaluation.
Hemme remains in custody at the Chillicothe Correction Center as the state contends she must serve other sentences that were to be served consecutive to the conviction that was set aside. This will go before the Western District Court of Appeals.
