Ted Green

County attorney Jennifer Jochum knew there would be backlash for accepting the plea deal.

But she also felt as they proceeded to trial, the case was only getting weaker.

There were chain of custody issues from the evidence going through so many hands over the years.

And with some witnesses dead, testimony could be deemed inadmissible.

It was leaving them uncertain the case could be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

But since Mary Kay's murder occurred in 1969, sentencing guidelines from then would have to be used.

A conviction of conspiracy to murder in 1969 carried only two years of prison time.

On August 27, 2025, just before formal sentencing was to occur, we spoke with Kathy and Mark.

They already knew the maximum sentence that could be imposed was two years.

His thing was he didn't want to die in jail.

He didn't want to die in prison.

Mary Kay didn't want to die that day either.

At sentencing, Kathy and Mark addressed the court.

Joseph Ambrose chose to say nothing.

Due to Nebraska's good time sentencing reduction law, Joseph Ambrose's sentence was cut in half.

With time served, he was released on November 15, 2025.

For Mary Kay Hesse's family, the quest for justice after more than 50 years remains elusive.

She didn't deserve this at all.

She was a 17-year-old girl full of life.