02-03-2025
Patty Prewitt: I finally got justice, but Missouri's legal system needs major reform
When you're accused of doing something you didn't do, that's bad enough. But when you're accused of a heinous act, arrested, convicted and locked away in prison for decades — that's brutal. But that's exactly what happened to me after my husband was murdered 41 years ago. I spent nearly 40 years in prison for a crime I didn't commit. During those years, my supporters and I petitioned every governor and every court asking for justice. These pleas, for the most part, fell on deaf ears.
On Dec. 20, only a few months ago, I was released. Outgoing Gov. Mike Parson commuted my sentence of life with no parole for 50 years. Although I'm innocent, I'll be on parole forever, paying $30 a month for the privilege. I'm still a convicted murderer in the eyes of the law. Over half of my life was wasted behind razor wire.
But freedom is a wonderful gift. I'm surrounded by loved ones, safe and warm in a beautiful home, and I enjoy every single minute of every day filled with unlimited hugs and snuggles, kisses, laughter, a soft bed, good and nutritious food, sweet dogs and cats that also are family, a bathtub, Alexa who knows all the songs, and quality time with my kids and fascinating grandchildren.
People keep asking if I'm overwhelmed. No, I'm not. Going to prison was overwhelming. Coming home is what I've been training for all these decades.
I have plenty of support, but many do not. How could I make it to parole meetings in Independence from Greenwood if I didn't have people with vehicles? I'm 75, so I don't have to find a job. How do younger parolees find work with no transportation and no suitable clothing? We need to do better for parolees who need help. I still haven't successfully signed up for Medicare. What a struggle.
Missouri needs to create a better method for applying for clemency with accountability and transparency. The current method is cloaked in secrecy and bogged down by poor organization. There were governors who not once acknowledged my clemency application or the thousands of calls, letters or emails from taxpaying citizens demanding my freedom. My successful clemency application was filed in May of 2010.
Before I experienced our justice system firsthand, I honestly believed that branch of government found and dispensed justice. The average person would be appalled at how poorly trials are conducted in America. The Midwest Innocence Project does the work that should have been done in the original court. Furthermore, our courts need to be more open to post-conviction appeals. For judges to deny DNA testing is ridiculous. What harm is a scientific test to a judge who is not paying for it?
I won't even go into how awful our prisons are in every way. I feel bad for all the good women I left behind. Most female inmates are mothers who were the primary caregivers for their children. Either a family member or the state must take responsibility for these brokenhearted children. Inmates are hidden in the shadows and our children suffer.
Now that I'm free, what am I doing now? I got my driver's license. I'm looking forward to good weather. I hope to be able to see a dentist and a primary care doctor soon. I'm studying to complete my bachelor's degree in humanities from Washington University in the fall. I'm also studying theater and literature with Prison Performing Arts in St. Louis. I'm petitioning for a pardon from Gov. Mike Kehoe, and my memoir 'Trying to Catch Lighting in a Jar,' describing my first 20 years in prison, will be published in May.
Meanwhile, I'm thankful and ecstatic to be free. I send my gratitude to everyone who supports justice, but there are still many changes that must come about to prevent others from suffering the injustice that I did.
Patty Prewitt is a native of Lone Jack and Lee's Summit class of 1967. She has four children, nine grandchildren and four great-grands.
