Missouri woman’s murder conviction tossed after 43 years. Her lawyers say a police officer did it

Missouri woman’s murder conviction tossed after 43 years. Her lawyers say a police officer did it

A judge has overturned the conviction of a Missouri woman who was a psychiatric patient when she incriminated herself in a 1980 killing. Sandra Hemme has spent 43 years behind bars. Her attorneys argue the killing actually was committed by a now-discredited police officer. Judge Ryan Horsman ruled late Friday that Hemme had established evidence of actual innocence. Her attorneys says this is the longest time a women has been been incarcerated for a wrongful conviction. The judge said Hemme must be freed within 30 days unless prosecutors retry her. Prosecutors didn't immediately respond to a phone message from The Associated Press seeking comment.