Missouri man convicted as a teen of murdering his mother says the real killer is still out there

A Missouri homicide investigation has been reopened after questions have been raised in regards to the conviction of Michael Politte. Politte was 14 when he was charged in 1998 with murdering his mom, Rita, who died after being hit within the head and set on fireplace in her Hopewell dwelling.  More than three years after the crime, he was convicted and sentenced to life in jail, although he maintained he was harmless. Politte spent almost 20 years in jail earlier than a brand new legislation handed in Missouri that made him eligible for parole. Now 38 and out on parole, Politte tells “48 Hours” correspondent Erin Moriarty who he believes is answerable for the homicide. 

A MURDER IN HOPEWELL

Michael Politte: There’s nothin’ on this world that anyone can ever do to me that is gonna be worse than what I seen.

On Dec. 5, 1998, Michael Politte says he woke as much as discover his mom’s physique mendacity on her bed room flooring — on fireplace.

He was 14 years previous.

Michael Politte: What I seen was hatred and evil. … The person who did that to my mom hated her with all the pieces inside ’em.

Rita Politte was simply 40 when she died. All these years later, Michael’s older sisters, Chrystal and Melonie, nonetheless have vivid reminiscences.

Erin Moriarty (taking a look at photograph album): What’s the very first thing that involves thoughts when you concentrate on Rita?

Melonie Politte: Her giggle. Definitely.

Chrystal Politte: She was all the time laughing, smiling.

Michael and his sisters grew up within the tiny, rural group of Hopewell, Missouri. It’s about 70 miles southwest of St. Louis.

Chrystal Politte: We did not lock our doorways. … We lived by all of our household.

Michael Politte: We rode bicycles, bikes … I used to be pleased.

Michael glided by the nickname “Bernie” again then.

Melonie Politte: His center identify is Bernard. It’s quick for Bernard.

Their mother and father, Edward and Rita, obtained married as teenagers, and Chrystal and Melonie say the couple had their struggles.

Melonie Politte: He was very mentally abusive.

Chrystal Politte: He additionally cheated on her —

Melonie Politte: Quite a bit.

Chrystal Politte: But she beloved him. Love — It outweighed every other feeling she ever had(crying).

Eventually, although, love wasn’t sufficient.

Michael Politte: I witnessed violence between the 2 of ’em.

There had been allegations of home violence on each side. The yr earlier than the homicide, there was an incident the place police had been known as. Michael informed an officer that his dad pushed his mother to the ground and choked her. The couple in the end divorced in the summertime of 1998 after greater than 20 years of marriage. The divorce decree cited Edward’s infidelity.

Michael Politte: My dad would — he would attempt to pay me to come back reside with him. I would not. I needed to reside with my mother.

Michael ended up having to separate time between each mother and father. On Dec. 4, 1998, he was at his mother’s. That night time, she was out working at an area bar, and Michael was dwelling alone.

Michael Politte: Probably 7, 8 or so, I get bored. … I experience my bicycle right down to the overall retailer.

It’s there that Michael says he met up along with his good friend, 15-year-old Josh SanSoucie, who he invited to sleep over. The two frolicked for hours till Michael’s mother obtained dwelling round midnight.

Michael Politte: I requested him, I used to be like, “Man, where do you wanna sleep at?” … “You can sleep here in the living room on the foldout couch.” … “Or you can just sleep, you know, on the floor in my room.” He’s like, “I’ll just crash on your floor.”

Michael says he slept by means of the night time—till simply earlier than 6:30 a.m., when he and Josh awoke and seen smoke within the room.

Michael Politte: We ran outta the room. … My mother’s … bed room door is dealing with me …  And I might see the glow, an orange glow in that space.

He says he known as out to his mother, however there was no reply.

Erin Moriarty: Michael, what are you feeling at this level?

Michael Politte: Panic, concern.

Michael says he went and grabbed a hose exterior after which ran towards his mother’s room — and what he noticed, he’d always remember.

Michael Politte: I seen blood on her legs. And she was on fireplace from the waist up. And I flip the water hose on. … I do not understand how lengthy I sat there. It coulda been minutes, it coulda been seconds. I do not know (emotional).

Josh ran to get assist, nevertheless it was too late.  Chrystal would quickly get a name from her brother with the news.

Chrystal Politte: I simply sat on my mattress, and I simply stored sayin’, “I don’t wanna go. I don’t wanna go. I don’t wanna go.” (Crying) Because, , then it is actual.

Chrystal picked Melonie up and by the point they obtained to the scene, police vehicles and fireplace vehicles had been lining the driveway.

Chrystal Politte: Mike was … within the entrance seat, passenger facet of the police automobile. And we simply ran as much as the window … requested him what was—like, what occurred. … And he had soot on his face and he had tear marks all down his face. And— he stated, “I don’t know. Mom’s dead.”

Tammy Nash: You might scent the smoke; you would scent flesh.

Tammy Nash labored for the Washington County Sheriff’s Department again then and was one of many responding officers.

It was clear that this was a homicide. Rita had suffered blunt pressure trauma to the pinnacle and blood was seen on her bed room partitions, indicating a battle had occurred. A fireplace marshal rapidly concluded that an accelerant was used to set her on fireplace.

Erin Moriarty: What was your job at that time? What was your project?

Tammy Nash: To collect the proof … We was in search of something that … she coulda been struck with. … We by no means discovered a weapon.

While Nash processed the scene, Michael and Josh had been taken away to the sheriff’s division for questioning. A police report signifies that on the best way, Michael requested an officer one thing that rapidly put him beneath suspicion. He requested, “What’s going to happen to my mom’s truck?”

Erin Moriarty: Isn’t that an odd factor to say after you simply noticed your mom on fireplace?

Michael Politte: I do not suppose so.

Chrystal Politte: When you lose somebody, you wanna grasp onto issues. To me that is all it was, . And our mother beloved that truck.

But it did elevate eyebrows. And on the sheriff’s division, Michael was given a voice stress take a look at.

Michael Politte: And then they informed me that I failed.

Investigators additionally took Michael’s sneakers in order that an accelerant sniffing canine might look at them.

Michael Politte: They stated that the canine alerted to my sneakers to — an accelerant.

Erin Moriarty: How would you describe the tone of the questioning after the canine alerted in your sneakers, and after you failed this voice stress take a look at?

Michael Politte: They wasn’t questioning me no extra. … They had been telling me that I did one thing.

Michael and Josh each insisted they did not know what occurred to Rita, that that they had stayed in Michael’s room all night time. But investigators informed them they did not consider them. The boys had been questioned repeatedly. And, two days after the homicide, Josh gave a videotaped assertion, with an officer on all sides and his mom current. That assertion appeared to poke a gap in Michael’s account. He stated he woke as much as a noise in the midst of the night time.

JOSH SANSOUCIE: I heard slightly thud, and I assumed I heard, like a — a lady’s voice …

OFFICER 1: Did Bernie get up too, or did you —

JOSH SANSOUCIE: No.

OFFICER 2: — see Bernie within the room at the moment?

JOSH SANSOUCIE: No.

OFFICER 2: Bernie wasn’t in mattress?

JOSH SANSOUCIE: I did not see him …

OFFICER 2: Could you may have seen him if he was?

OFFICER 1: You seemed on the—

OFFICER 2: Is that sure or no?

JOSH SANSOUCIE: Yes.

OFFICER 2: OK …

OFFICER 2: So, there is not any doubt that he wasn’t within the mattress? OK. And was he anyplace else in that bed room?

JOSH SANSOUCIE: No.

Shortly after Josh gave that assertion, on Dec. 7, 1998, 14-year-old Michael Politte was arrested for his mom’s homicide.

Michael Politte: I all the time believed that I used to be gonna be discovered harmless as a result of I did not have something to do with what occurred to my mom. Boy, was I in for a impolite awakening.

“I DIDN’T MURDER MY MOTHER”

Erin Moriarty (taking a look at photograph album): He appears like a extremely pleased child.

Melonie Politte: He was all the time actually pleased.

When Melonie and Chrystal realized that their 14-year-old brother had been arrested for his or her mom’s homicide, they are saying they could not consider it.

Melonie Politte: How had been they developing with that conclusion? … I simply thought they had been loopy.

Chuck and Patsy Skiles are Michael’s uncle and aunt. They reside subsequent door to the place the crime happened. They additionally felt police had made a mistake.

Chuck Skiles: He did not do it and I need him cleared.

Patsy Skiles: You know, we was the primary ones to see him … after it occurred. He had no scratches, no nothin’ on him.

Chuck Skiles: He was all the time givin’ his mother a hug.

Patsy Skiles: He beloved his mother.

But whereas Michael’s household believed in his innocence, the reality is, Michael was hardly the mannequin little one — one thing that even he admits.

Erin Moriarty: You failed seventh grade thrice.

Michael Politte: Yeah, I used to be on my third yr — as a result of I turned truant. I simply wasn’t goin’.

Skipping faculty was one factor, however 10 months earlier than the homicide, issues obtained so unhealthy that Michael was hospitalized for behavioral points after he threatened to kill his mom and himself.

Michael Politte: For no matter cause, I informed her that I might put her six toes beneath identical to her mother and pa.

Erin Moriarty: Did you imply that, Michael?

Michael Politte: No, I did not. And it is the most important remorse of my life.

Melonie and Chrystal blame Michael’s misbehavior on their mother and father’ divorce.

Melonie Politte: Our dad would type of put him within the center.

Erin Moriarty: Michael was clearly an offended, troubled teenager.

Melonie Politte: Yeah, I feel he was mad at our dad, for positive.

Erin Moriarty: Was he mad at your mother, as properly?

Melonie Politte: No, I feel — I imply, I do know they did not all the time get alongside completely. I do not suppose any dad or mum and little one does.

Three years handed with Michael in custody, awaiting trial. And then the prosecution got here to him with a deal: plead responsible to voluntary manslaughter and he’d spend a most of 15 years in jail.

Michael Politte: I rejected it.

Erin Moriarty: You did not give it some thought?

Michael Politte: No.

Erin Moriarty: Why not?

Michael Politte: ‘Cause I did not homicide my mom.

In January 2002, Michael Politte, then 17 years previous, went on trial. His life was on the road. The prosecutors and protection lawyer who tried the case did not reply to “48 Hours”‘ calls, however Josh Hedgecorth — the present prosecutor of Washington County, the place the homicide happened — was prepared to speak in regards to the case.

Erin Moriarty: What was an important proof?

Josh Hedgecorth: The scientific proof … And that might begin with the sneakers that he was sporting on the sheriff’s workplace.

Not solely had a canine detected an accelerant on Michael’s sneakers, in accordance with the prosecution, later testing additionally confirmed the presence of gasoline on them. And there was testimony that an accelerant had been used to burn Rita’s physique.

Josh Hedgecorth: And so, all of those elements collectively I feel solidified that he should have set the hearth.

But Michael had informed police that gasoline discovered on his sneakers meant nothing, and that he and his associates would typically set fires for enjoyable.

Michael Politte: We all did that. … It was in — it was within the nation.

In reality, Michael informed police that simply hours earlier than the homicide, he and his good friend Josh used gasoline to set a hearth on the railroad tracks close to his home — earlier than Rita obtained dwelling.

But the prosecution used that admission as one other piece of proof in opposition to Michael. They argued the burn sample on the tracks matched the burn sample on Rita.

Linda Dickerson-Bell and Jonathan Peterson had been jurors on the case.

Jonathan Peterson: I’m like, “It’s not looking good for him.”

Linda Dickerson-Bell: What they had been telling us was that Michael had an issue with burning and that … he was the one particular person that would have executed this.

The jurors by no means heard about Michael’s issues in school and that menace to his mom, however a witness testified a few disagreement that Michael had along with his mom weeks earlier than the homicide. It was over cash, and he sat flicking a lighter afterwards.

Michael Politte: It occurred. But not in the best way that the State portrayed it. … I used to be flickin’ the wheel on the lighter. That’s that.

Erin Moriarty: You weren’t threatening your mom with that?

Michael Politte: No.

And there was one thing much more damaging: the prosecution claimed that Michael had really confessed to the crime throughout a suicide try at a juvenile detention heart precisely one month after the homicide. Three witnesses who labored there wrote in studies that Michael stated, “I haven’t cared since … I killed my mom.” But Michael says that is not what he stated.

Erin Moriarty: When they requested you why you had been making an attempt to kill your self, you say you stated what?

Michael Politte: I have not cared since they killed my mother.

It’s the distinction of 1 phrase. But that one phrase carried plenty of weight. And the jury would by no means hear from Michael, as a result of when it was the protection’s flip, he did not take the stand.

And leaving the jury with much more unanswered questions was the truth that they had been informed that Josh, the opposite boy in the home that night time, had been granted immunity.

Linda Dickerson-Bell: I stored ready, pondering, “OK, well if he’s been given immunity then he’s got to have something to offer.” 

But the jury by no means noticed or heard from Josh in any respect. He wasn’t known as to the stand, they usually had been by no means proven his videotaped assertion. Michael’s sisters additionally weren’t known as.

Linda Dickerson-Bell: I by no means actually heard anyone in his protection say, “Michael didn’t do this.”

Instead, the protection hinged its case on the dearth of direct proof: no homicide weapon had been discovered and, regardless of the violence of the assault, Michael had no accidents and no blood on his clothes. After three days of testimony, the case went to the jury.

Linda Dickerson-Bell: To maintain somebody’s life in your hand, have you ever ever executed that? It’s not a nice factor to do. … I needed to get it proper.

But Dickerson-Bell and Peterson say they had been left with so many questions — too many questions — they usually felt pressured by different members of the jury.

Jonathan Peterson: I feel everyone lastly simply obtained to me and simply, like — , “We’re ready to go home.” And then I used to be like, “Hell, but, you’re ready to go home and this kid’s ready to go to prison?”

After greater than 4 hours, the jury filed into the courtroom with their verdict: responsible of second-degree homicide.

Linda Dickerson-Bell: I wept.

Erin Moriarty: Why?

Linda Dickerson-Bell (crying): Because it was fallacious.

Michael was sentenced to life in jail.

Michael Politte: It was unbelievable. … I by no means thought it will occur.

Michael would spend years in a Missouri jail earlier than a brand new crew of legal professionals would take his case and make it their mission to show it round.

Megan Crane: The State primarily by no means actually had any case in opposition to this child. But the case that they even did have again at trial has been indisputably confirmed false.

“PROBLEMATIC” EVIDENCE?

After Michael Politte was convicted and sentenced to life on the age of 18, he was despatched to the Missouri State Penitentiary — as soon as known as “the bloodiest 47 acres in America.”

Michael Politte: Bein’ so younger, I used to be a goal. … I obtained in a battle my first day there … Dudes had been making an attempt to rape me.

Michael says he turned determined for some sense of security.

Erin Moriarty: You turned a skinhead? 

Michael Politte: Yeah. Joined a gang.

Erin Moriarty: That’s the place you bought the tattoos?

Michael Politte: Yup. … It was somethin’ that … I felt like I wanted to do to outlive. … It’s not the best way that I really feel. It’s not the best way that mother raised me. I simply did not slot in.

Michael says he longed to show his innocence and get out of jail. He wanted to rent a lawyer, so he says he requested his dad for assist.

Erin Moriarty: Did he?

Michael Politte: Nope.

Erin Moriarty: So how did you retain up any hope in any respect?

Michael Politte: I did not for just a few years. I used to be a heroin addict — anytime I left my cell I used to be lookin’ for medicine. I used to be simply self-medicatin’.

That’s the best way issues had been — till Michael lastly discovered one thing that gave him hope. Five years after his conviction, he wrote a letter to the Midwest Innocence Project, they usually agreed to take his case. The group labored on it for years and ultimately, attorneys Tricia Bushnell, Megan Crane and Mark Emison turned concerned.

Megan Crane: Mike was convicted as a result of he was a child, pure and easy. … They stated … he wasn’t emotional sufficient. … Trauma does not appear like what individuals suppose it ought to appear like.

Bushnell, Crane and Emison picked aside the case in opposition to Michael. They say it was based mostly on unhealthy science, beginning with the prosecution’s declare that an accelerant was used to set the hearth that killed Rita.

Mark Emison: When the hearth investigator got here to the scene — they instantly decided it was a fuel-fed … fireplace — based mostly on simply visible patterns — simply based mostly on wanting on the scene — which, on the time, violated gold requirements of fireplace investigation. … There needs to be lab testin’.

And lab testing was executed on carpet samples from the crime scene. No accelerant was detected. The prosecution defined that away by saying it might have burned up, however protection lawyer Megan Crane says that suggestion is not affordable.

Megan Crane: There’s no scientific foundation for that being attainable.

Erin Moriarty: Do you consider that the jury believed that the truth is there was an accelerant used to set Rita on fireplace?

Mark Emison: Absolutely. … The fundamental case in opposition to Michael was that it was a gasoline fireplace … and … with a purpose to try and tie Mike to the crime, the one bodily proof was the gasoline that the State alleged … was on his sneakers.

But Michael’s new legal professionals say that Michael’s sneakers did not have gasoline on them, both. They say a chemical used within the shoe manufacturing course of was wrongly recognized as gasoline at trial. And even the Missouri State crime lab agrees. In a 2020 letter, officers say, “… it is now known that solvents found in footwear adhesives have similarities to gasoline.” But that “In the late 1990s, this knowledge was not widely known.”

Erin Moriarty: Could the canine have been alerting to the chemical compounds used within the sneakers?

Mark Emison: Absolutely.

Megan Crane: The jurors cared in regards to the fuel on the sneakers. … They requested to see the sneakers. … It was the nail within the coffin.

But what about Michael’s alleged confession on the juvenile detention heart? Witnesses wrote that they heard him say, “I haven’t cared since … I killed my mom.” But Michael insists he stated, “I haven’t cared since … they killed my mom.”

Tricia Bushnell: In the identical method we discuss tunnel imaginative and prescient, individuals can hear what they wish to hear. We’re speaking about one phrase in a room the place there’s numerous exercise taking place. … They have a child within the detention heart that they consider has most likely dedicated this crime, proper? … And so, that is their view of him.  

There is one massive query that continues to be. What about Josh SanSoucie? Remember, the jury was informed he obtained immunity, and there was that videotaped assertion the place he informed police that he awoke in the midst of the night time and Michael wasn’t there.

OFFICER 2: So, there is not any doubt that he wasn’t within the mattress? OK. And was he anyplace else in that bed room?

JOSH SANSOUCIE: No.

Now, a few years after the crime, Josh is talking publicly for the primary time about what he says actually occurred that night time.

Josh SanSoucie: I’ve spent nearly all of my life simply tryin’ to neglect about it.

KEY WITNESS SPEAKS OUT

Josh SanSoucie: I’ve executed fairly good simply movin’ on with it. But, I imply, it is nonetheless — it is all the time there, ?

Josh SanSoucie is now 39 years previous. He says he is by no means been fairly the identical since he awoke from that sleepover at Michael’s on the age of 15 and located himself in the midst of a homicide investigation. He says he was questioned by police repeatedly for hours at a time.

Josh SanSoucie: Every time I’d inform ’em one thing, they might be like, “No, that’s not what happened. This is what happened.” … I bear in mind tellin’ my mother. I stated, “They keep saying that I’m lying.” I stated, “I don’t even know if I’m telling the truth anymore.”

But the reality, Josh says, is that nothing out of the abnormal occurred on that night time in query.

Josh SanSoucie: It was identical to a traditional night time.

JOSH SANSOUCIE (videotaped assertion): And I could not sleep excellent that night time. I used to be simply type of waking up. I awoke one time …

But what about that videotaped assertion the place Josh informed police that he awoke in the midst of the night time and Michael wasn’t there?

OFFICER 2: So, there is not any doubt that he wasn’t within the mattress? OK. And was he anyplace else in that bed room?

JOSH SANSOUCIE: No.

Josh SanSoucie: I do not bear in mind ever saying that. … And I really feel like if I stated that, then it was possibly at a weak level or somethin’.

Michael’s attorneys say they’ve seen this all too typically in interrogations.

Tricia Bushnell: What we see in Josh’s interrogation is the results of hours and hours of interrogation … And each different time, he has by no means, ever stated that that was what occurred.

In a deposition proper earlier than Michael went on trial, Josh stated that he by no means sat up from the place he was sleeping on the ground and that, “It’s not that I did not see him in his bed. It’s I couldn’t see him in his bed.”

Josh SanSoucie: There’s no method I might see something that is on prime of the mattress.

So, why did Josh take that immunity deal?

Josh SanSoucie: I simply needed it as a result of I knew they was gonna attempt to pin it on me or Bernie. … And I used to be, like, “Well, in the event that they’re giving immunity, then possibly I haven’t got something to fret about, ?

Michael’s legal professionals say the prosecution was probably making an attempt to get Josh to flip on Michael and the actual fact they did not even put Josh on the stand, says all of it.

Megan Crane: They did not name him as a result of it wasn’t gonna go properly for them. … He had nothing useful to say for the State.

Erin Moriarty: Why did not the protection name Josh?

Megan Crane: That’s an important query, Erin. And there is a lotta nice questions on what the protection did not do and who they did not name.

Michael’s trial lawyer was a public defender again then. In a court docket affidavit, he admits that Michael’s case was the primary murder case that he had tried on his personal. And that in the present day, he would deal with his illustration of Michael in a different way.

Michael’s new authorized crew was dedicated to getting him out of jail. They filed court docket paperwork suggesting another suspect: Michael’s father, Edward Politte.

Michael Politte: I consider he’s answerable for what occurred to my mom.

If that is true, which means Michael’s personal father stood by and let his son take the autumn for a homicide that he was behind. Michael’s sisters say their father was livid over the monetary phrases of the divorce. A choose had finalized them simply 4 days earlier than the homicide.

Melonie Politte: She obtained half of his retirement.

Chrystal Politte: Maintenance —

Melonie Politte: Maintenance —

Chrystal Politte: — little one help.

Melonie Politte: Child help. Alimony. … And the one factor that I bear in mind about rising up with our dad is you do not mess along with his cash. You simply do not do it.

Chrystal Politte: He had an outburst — within the court docket. … He stated, “You’ll never live to see a dime of that money.”

Police did interview Edward Politte after the homicide. He had an alibi. He was dwelling, greater than 80 miles away, on the time of the homicide. But Michael’s protection crew says investigators did not look laborious sufficient.

Megan Crane: They did not in any respect examine the likelihood that maybe Ed did this with another person. 

And Michael says he believes his dad did prepare the homicide and had assist.

Michael Politte: I feel he employed Johnny to homicide my mom.

“Johnny” is Johnny Politte, Edward’s cousin. Michael’s authorized crew recognized witnesses who place Johnny close to the crime scene on the morning of the homicide, simply as first responders had been arriving.

Larry Lee: Well, I had heard sirens … and as I’m comin’ up the street and I’m approaching … the railroad tracks, Johnny Politte was walkin’ down the railroad tracks.

Larry Lee is a kind of witnesses. He has recognized Johnny for years.

Larry Lee: As he is walkin’ as much as my truck, he requested me if I heard about Rita. … He stated, “Somebody killed her.” And I’m like, “Dude, what?”

About per week later, Larry’s spouse Carolyn says Johnny got here to their door.

Carolyn Lee: And it was like 6 o’clock within the morning. He stated – “I need to know what you know about Rita’s death.” … He stated, “Me and Edward are doin’ our own investigation. And we heard you were up at the store talkin’ about it.” … And I stated, “Johnny I don’t know nothin’.” … “No, we need to know what you know,” he stated. And I stated, “You know, I think it’s time for you to go.”

Erin Moriarty: Were you scared?

Carolyn Lee: Somewhat bit.

Erin Moriarty: Did the 2 of you speak to investigators about this?

Carolyn Lee: No. … We suppose again now, and we want we’d’ve.

Larry Lee: And I ain’t sayin’ he had something to do with something, both. I do not know. But, .

Another man locations Johnny Politte’s truck close to the identical spot that Larry Lee says he bumped into Johnny on the morning of the homicide. In an affidavit filed by Michael’s crew, the person says he noticed the truck simply as emergency automobiles had been coming down the street.

Former investigator Tammy Nash says she does not bear in mind listening to that Johnny Politte had been seen that morning, however she does recall one thing that occurred within the days after the homicide — as soon as the crime scene had been launched.

Tammy Nash: Somebody got here into the sheriff’s division … and stated that that they had discovered a tire iron, or tire software or one thing … within the closet.

Erin Moriarty: Whose closet?

Tammy Nash: Michael’s closet.

Police information present the one that discovered that tire software was Johnny Politte.

Erin Moriarty: Could you may have missed that in your first search?

Tammy Nash: No. No.

Erin Moriarty: Are you completely positive —

Tammy Nash: I’m constructive I didn’t miss that.

Erin Moriarty: If wasn’t there if you searched, what does that imply?

Tammy Nash: That someone positioned it there.

Tammy went and retrieved the tire software from Michael’s closet. It was later dominated out because the homicide weapon.

Erin Moriarty: Do you consider that tire iron was put in your closet to set you up?

Michael Politte: I do.

Johnny and Edward Politte did not reply to “48 Hours”‘ request for an interview. Neither has been charged within the case. It’s been years since Michael and his sisters have spoken to their father, however they are saying they did ask him whether or not he had something to do with their mom’s homicide and he denied it. 

Tricia Bushnell: It’s not our job and it isn’t our focus to say who did commit this crime. But what we do know is it was not Michael Politte.

And whereas Michael’s legal professionals had been making an attempt to show that, the case would take a flip.

MICHAEL POLITTE (exterior jail): I by no means thought at the present time would come.

Michael Politte: Best day on this planet. It was wonderful.

A SECOND CHANCE 

Tricia Bushnell: It’s laborious — it is actual laborious right here in Missouri — to get these convictions overturned, it is a battle.

Michael Politte’s authorized crew was shut down by appeals courts at each flip.

Melonie Politte (crying): It is a continuing battle with, , Goliath actually is what it seems like.

Despite the letdowns, Michael and his sisters stored up hope that at some point he can be freed. And in 2021, there was an sudden improvement: a invoice handed in Missouri giving juvenile offenders convicted of significant crimes a second likelihood.

Michael Politte: It gave me an instantaneous parole listening to.

Michael went earlier than the parole board asking for his launch.

Michael Politte: I informed ’em I used to be harmless, and I informed ’em for this reason I’m harmless, and for this reason it’s best to consider I’m harmless.

It labored. On April 22, 2022, Melonie and Chrystal introduced family and friends and a change of garments to the Jefferson City Correctional Center.

Melonie Politte: It was a extremely nice day.

Chrystal Politte: It was a dream come true, actually.

On that day, Michael Politte walked out of jail. Incarcerated at simply 14-years-old, he was now 38.

Michael Politte (exterior jail): Where’s my legal professionals? 

Michael Politte (exterior of jail): It’s overwhelming to see all of the love. All the nights sitting in my cell, questioning what it will be wish to be out right here and have this second, and have it lastly come true — it is superior. … Yup. It’s lastly right here. …  I’m free.

Michael says he felt his mother’s presence when a fowl flew by overhead.

Michael Politte (exterior jail, wanting up on the sky): Hi mother.

Michael Politte (exterior jail): She’s all the time in my ideas. She’s all the time in my thoughts. And all the pieces I do and all the pieces that I’m processing in the present day is guided by her.

Michael left jail that day doing one of many issues he loved most earlier than he went in — using a motorbike.

Michael Politte (exterior jail): We’re gonna take a motorbike experience from the parking zone to the railroad tracks. … I’m leaving right here the identical method that I got here in right here, using a bicycle. … Justice for Rita. Let’s go. Let’s go, man (crowd cheers).

Michael Politte: (Laughs) It felt good. It was one of the best bike experience on this planet.

Following his launch, Michael moved in along with his sister, Melonie. He began getting these reminders of jail, his tattoos, coated up with new artwork. He additionally discovered a job as a carpenter and obtained his driver’s license.

Erin Moriarty: You’re now out. Is that sufficient?

Michael Politte: No, it ain’t sufficient.

Erin Moriarty: Because as you sit proper now, you’re a convicted felon on parole.

Michael Politte: Yep.

Erin Moriarty: You have a prison report that claims you killed your mom.

Michael Politte: Yep.

Michael desires to clear his identify. And it simply may occur as a result of Josh Hedgecorth, the present prosecutor within the county the place the homicide happened, has filed a movement asking for Michael’s conviction to be overturned.

Josh Hedgecorth: To me, all of it — all the time comes again to the science.

Hedgecorth agrees with Michael’s attorneys that the scientific proof used to convict Michael is problematic.

Josh Hedgecorth: So, I do not consider that Michael acquired a good trial. … I can not say that the prosecutor on the time knew what he was placing on was false … It simply should not have been offered.

Erin Moriarty: Could you retry Michael Politte for the homicide of his mom based mostly on the proof you may have in the present day?

Josh Hedgecorth: On the proof I’ve in the present day … I do not consider I might file this case.

But whereas the native prosecutor believes Michael’s conviction ought to be thrown out, one other public official, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, is combating it.

Megan Crane: In each exoneration in Missouri, the lawyer basic fights it as a result of, they are saying, “We have to respect, honor, and protect the verdict of these jurors” … Well, that goes out the window when the jurors themselves need this verdict overturned.

In sworn affidavits, 5 jurors have questioned whether or not Michael obtained a good trial — together with Jonathan Peterson and Linda Dickerson-Bell.

Linda Dickerson-Bell: I don’t consider that Michael Politte killed his mom. … But I do not know the best way to repair it.

The lawyer basic’s workplace did not reply to “48 Hours”‘ request for remark, however in a court docket submitting, they are saying Michael “cannot meet the standard for actual innocence.” And the lawyer basic has argued that the proof in opposition to Johnny and Edward Politte would have been inadmissible at trial.

Michael hopes {that a} choose will hear the case and determine to overturn his conviction, however within the meantime, prosecutor Josh Hedgecorth has revealed to “48 Hours” that the native sheriff’s division has reopened the investigation into Rita’s homicide.

Josh Hedgecorth: We wanna do the correct factor. If another person did this, we wanna know that. … even when it is new proof that it was Michael.

Neither Hedgecorth, nor the native sheriff, would touch upon the specifics of the investigation, together with whether or not Johnny Politte or Edward Politte are individuals of curiosity.

Josh Hedgecorth: I really feel unhealthy for Bernie and his household. I imply, all the pieces they needed to undergo. Bernie misplaced his complete childhood.

Josh SanSoucie hasn’t seen Michael Politte since they had been youngsters, however they hope to at some point reunite. The night time of that sleepover and its aftermath has haunted Josh all these years.

Erin Moriarty: What would you say to him?

Michael Politte: I’m sorry. And that, , he did not do something fallacious.

In Potosi, Missouri, not removed from the place the homicide happened, Rita’s truck has sat all these years.

Her household says they held onto it as a result of it is one of many solely issues they’ve left of her.

Michael Politte: That’s her truck. You know, it is part of her. That belongs to her.

They hope to repair it up and get it operating once more.

Michael Politte: We’re gonna get justice for her. I consider that at some point. We’re gonna get justice for Rita.

Earlier this month, Washington County Prosecutor Josh Hedgecorth misplaced his bid for reelection.   

Separately, the Missouri Supreme Court has quickly halted Hedgecorth’s effort to overturn Politte’s conviction. 

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Produced by Stephanie Slifer and Emily Wichick. Sara Ely Hulse is the event producer. Doreen Schechter, Joan Adelman and Gary Winter are the editors. Lourdes Aguiar is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the chief story editor. Judy Tygard is the chief producer.