Patty Prewitt, Missouri’s longest-serving female prisoner, is released just in time for Christmas after serving 40 years for her husband’s murder.
Holden: Patty Prewitt is finally free after spending 40 long years in prison for the murder of her husband back in 1984. She got out just in time to celebrate Christmas with her family, which is pretty heartwarming.
At 75, she’s the longest-serving female prisoner in Missouri. Governor Mike Parson commuted her sentence along with a few others, giving her a chance to reunite with her loved ones.
Patty expressed her gratitude, saying how thankful she is to be home for the holidays. She’s been fighting for her freedom for years, claiming she didn’t kill her husband, William “Bill” Prewitt.
The case was a big deal back in the day. Patty said an intruder broke in and attacked them while they were sleeping. But investigators didn’t buy it, thinking she was the one who did it.
They found the murder weapon in a pond on their property, and some evidence pointed to her. But Patty’s family has always stood by her, insisting she was wrongfully convicted.
She even turned down a plea deal that could have let her out much earlier. Instead, she took a life sentence, maintaining her innocence all the while.
Over the years, she filed for clemency multiple times, with her kids backing her up. They believed the investigation was flawed and that key evidence was ignored.
Now, she’s out and enjoying the holiday season with her family. While her murder conviction still stands, she’s on parole and finally getting to spend time with her loved ones.
Her case was one of several that the governor addressed recently, showing a shift in how some cases are being handled in Missouri.