In 2000, the biological father of christopher byers, rick murray, expressed his doubts about the guilty verdicts on the west memphis three website. Officer bill durham of the west memphis police headed to the town to investigate. The line is fuzzy there, but many people made absurd claims about the west memphis three and whether they were true or not, they werent very convincing. This page serves to dispel all the myths, lies, and misrepresentations surrounding the west memphis three case. Below is all the evidence against the west memphis three as posted by luckyballandchain in reddits unsolved mysteries sub which supports the case that the three not only committed the murders they were accused of but that the state of arkansas has now aided them in getting away with it. If anything, the west memphis three are victims too. All the evidence that shows why the notorious west memphis. The true story of the west memphis three thriftbooks.
Following their conviction, a series of documentaries drew attention to the case and suggested they were victims of satanic panic, a widespread fear in the 1980s that satanism would infect. The case against the west memphis 3, volume i and where the monsters go. From the 3 who were convicted to the byers stepfather. May 17, 20 in 1994, three teenagers known as the west memphis three were convicted for the murder of three young boys in west memphis, arkansas. Jessie knew damien echols, who was suspected of being involved in murdering the three victims, and the police were questioning anyone who knew him. After a teen named jessie misskelley confessed to the crime, he and two other teens, damien echols and jason baldwin, were found guilty in. The stepdad maintains that he is innocent, according to cnn. Former west memphis three inmate damien echols says he pays very little attention to true crime fandom. In his book almost home damien claims he barely knew jessie misskelley. The evidence itself doesnt support their guilt, which is why they were let out of prison.
All three of the accused were convicted of the murders and sentenced to. If you are reading this website you have probably spent a few hours watching one or. During the trial, the prosecution asserted that the children. The most obvious first question is, do the west memphis three. Now released, sinclair believes the west memphis three are guilty. Essay on the west memphis three were guilty 532 words. I am posting these links for people who have not heard of this case and wish to understand about the trial, the murders and why three. Many, many lives were ruined in this process which i feel was due to lazysloppy police work and small town prejudice. I concluded, and am still convinced, that they were guilty, he said. So while they are free, the west memphis three are still legally guilty. Damien echols has fooled you all the trench reynolds report. They pleaded guilty because they know if the case went back to trial, theyd be found guilty based on the evidence. When the storied west memphis three walked to freedom 18 years after they were imprisoned for allegedly killing three 8yearold boys in west memphis, arkansas, there. Ive been watching and reading a lot on the the west memphis 3 and still unsure whether they are innocent or guilty.
An account of events leading to the wrongful convictions of damien echols, jason baldwin, and jesse misskelley for the murders of three eightyearold boys in west memphis, arkansas in 1993, including posttrial developments. The three main protagonists in the documentry paradise lost. This has lead to a great deal of resentment in the town about how they have been depicted in the media. If the west memphis three are guilty as you say, why did the judge offer them an alford plea. The west memphis three are three men who were tried and convicted in 1994 of the 1993 murders of three boys in west memphis, arkansas. The west memphis 3 admitted to guilt in the case and was let go with time served which means that they did thier time for the crime so if trench reynolds wants to think they are guilty then he can sleep well knowing that they paid the price and the west memphis three win because they are finally set free. Because of the west memphis three reputation as being devil worshipers and their gothi. I just wanted to talk about this because it has really affected my family and father, steve branch, in. So, ive been listening to the new season of the podcast truth and justice about the west memphis murders. But at the end of the day, three little boys were brutally murdered in. Despite a lack of evidence and copious amounts of missteps among cops and prosecutors and to say nothing of the simple fact that the west memphis three were innocent juries quickly found the teens guilty in 1994.
Amazing book about 3 arkansas teenagers wrongly convicted of murder of 8 yr old boy. That despite being in an impossibly complicated political and legal position, he found a way to get three innocent men out of. If the west memphis three are innocent, who are the real. Aug 19, 2011 i think that the west memphis three are guilty.
Despite the discrepancies, misskelley made multiple confessions. Neighbours reported theyd last seen them playing around 6. Its really weird that three totally innocent men all tried to fabricate alibis for the same period of time that just happens to correspond with a murder theyre suspected of. Before we look at what began in west memphis, arkansas in 1993, lets go back 300 years to 1692, when two girls in salem, massachusetts identified three. The families of the three victims are divided in their opinions as to the guilt or innocence of the west memphis three. Freed following a plea bargain nearly 20 years later, the debate over their innocence rages on.
West of memphis was produced by damien and one of his famous supporters peter jackson. Aug 19, 2011 if the west memphis three want compensation for their wrongful imprisonment, theyll have to sue the district attorneys office and the prosecutors within it. Is damien echols the worlds most popular convicted child. She provided a written statement saying that she had never told any such story to loretta smith.
The secret evidence against the west memphis three. Oct 21, 2003 the story of three eight yearolds murdered and the west memphis three, the three boys who were subsequently tried, convicted and condemned for those murders, is a fullblown clusterbomb of sloppy and irresponsible investigation, prosecution and adjudication and well worth being prominent in the public record for the foulups that can and do. They are guilty despite what the documentaries, books and news stories have said over. At the time, the prosecution asserted that the boys were murdered as part of a satanic ritual. The author recounts his firsthand court coverage, interviews with witnesses, research, and other information he gathered in the case. Damien echols was sentenced to death, jessie misskelley, jr. The true story of the west memphis three is a much better source of information. Apr 24, 2005 just in case youve never heard of the west memphis 3, heres the case in a nutshell. Below is all the evidence against the west memphis three as posted by. Many believe that the west memphis three were convicted based on misleading evidence and smalltown prejudices. Oct 18, 2014 a virtual line in the sand i n the online sphere, the west memphis three debate is divided into two camps believers in the innocence of the convicted and nonbelievers who feel that echols, baldwin and misskelley are indeed responsible for the triple murder. Anyone interested in the west memphis three should read this book. Without reading all the underlying documents, it is difficult to conclude whether anyones online analysis or documentary covers everything and portrays all of the relevant facts. Since his release, he has published a nonfiction book about both his.
The men garnered national attention due to a series of documentaries and books that questioned their convictions as well as the vocal support of numerous celebrities. The real west memphis three chris byers, michael moore, and stevie branch welcome west memphis three facts. Former death row inmate damien echols on life after death. Apparently both he and damien have written best selling books and perhaps he felt some competitiveness towards damien. When the storied west memphis three walked to freedom 18 years after they were imprisoned for allegedly killing three 8yearold boys in west memphis, arkansas, there were crowds of people outside the. The evidence that shows why the notorious west memphis three. Aug 23, 2017 when three small boys were found brutally murdered a horrified community wanted swift justice. Just in case youve never heard of the west memphis 3, heres the case in a nutshell. While he has been the subject of several films and books, hes not keen on. Three people including the chief of police, identified a photo of damien echols as the one they knew as michael elinburg. Former west memphis three inmate damien echols says he pays.
The west memphis three are three men known for being convicted as teenagers in 1994, of the 1993 murders of three boys in west memphis, arkansas, united states. The prosecution claimed the murders were part of a satanic ritual. I dont want this to be about whose side you are on. This book is extremely biased against the accused killers.
The west memphis three are three men known for being convicted as teenagers in 1994. The names of the three teens convicted damien echols, jason baldwin, and jessie misskelley would come to be known as the west memphis three. West memphis three wrongful imprisonment lawsuit still a. Last week, the west memphis three damien echols, jason baldwin and jessie misskelley were released from prison after serving 18 years for the murder of three young children in a small arkansas town. Mar 20, 2019 damien echols, one of the west memphis three, and actor johnny depp at a press conference for the film west of memphis at the 2012 toronto international film festival in toronto. I have always been on the fence about the guilt or innocence of damien, jason and. Mar 18, 2019 in an alford plea, the defendant asserts he is innocent, but admits the state has enough evidence to convict him.
After a teen named jessie misskelley confessed to the crime, he and two other teens, damien echols and jason baldwin, were found guilty in two separate trials. A skeptics guide to the west memphis three documentaries. It led to the release of the men, created global outrage about their plight and tainted the community of west memphis with a lasting shame. Damien echols, jason baldwin, and jessie misskelley who were 18, 16, and 17 respectively.
The so called journalists, came across as smug, trite and self serving. In the documentary called west of memphis, carson said he was on lsd and had difficultly believing what was real and what wasnt. On june 3rd of 1993, jessie was brought to the west memphis police station at 10. Numerous books have been written about the murder of three 8 year old boys in west memphis, tn in 1993. He lived in a trailer park in west memphis, less than two miles away from the crime scene. West memphis three innocence worst, case, murder, defendant user name. Somewhere along the way, the kids were murdered and thrown into a secluded, wooded area known to locals as robin hood hills.
Awardwinning journalist mara leveritts the devils knot remains the most comprehensive, insightful reporting ever done on the investigation, trials, and convictions of three teenage boys who became known as the west memphis three. He was known for walking around west memphis constantly, and testified in 1994. In reality the raping, mutilation, and murdering was done by the first two. Dna evidence proves innocence of west memphis three. In 2011, after nearly two decades of prison, the three men were released from prison after entering an alford plea, which is a rare plea which allows people to plead guilty, even while claiming innocence, in order to avoid greater. Now, thanks to extensive investigation we know why. In 1994, teenagers damien echols, jessie misskelley, jr. We, the undersigned, implore you to ensure that these three men receive a fair trial and prove their guilt. If the west memphis three want compensation for their wrongful imprisonment, theyll have to sue the district attorneys office and the prosecutors within it. West memphis three the west memphis three are three men who while teenagers were tried and convicted, in 1994, of the 1993 murders of three boys in west memphis, arkansas.
I n the online sphere, the west memphis three debate is divided into two camps believers in the innocence of the convicted and nonbelievers who feel that echols, baldwin and misskelley are indeed responsible for the triple murder. Hollywood stars such as johnny depp got behind the three men, as many believed thered been a miscarriage of justice. Aug 10, 2012 cbs news correspondent erin moriarty on the guilty plea that actually freed three arkansas men imprisoned for murder 19 years ago. Oct 30, 2007 the west memphis three, damien echols, jessie misskelley and jason baldwin, have been in prison for 12 years as the result of a controversial trial in 1993 where they were falsely convicted for the murder of three young children in west memphis, arkansas. Profiler john douglas says amanda knox and west memphis three. Steven, your narrative a skeptics guide to the west memphis three documentaries was informative and so well written that i just had to comment on a job well done, i have written a book on the wm3 murders that is titled, the west memphis boogieman. They should still be in prison for the horrendous crimes to children they did do read this book to know the whole truth of this case. On may 5, 1993, three little boys from west memphis, arkansas, went out for a bike ride with a promise to their parents that they would be home for dinner. Inside the dark heart of murder which focuses on the amanda knox and west memphis three cases, douglas wrote that he became interested in kerchers murder case when his frequent collaborator mark olshaker, told him the case had remarkable echoes to the west memphis three, and by that. No journalist has written more stories about the case than jared. Medias role in the case of the west memphis threemy.
The most obvious first question is, do the west memphis three give up their right to sue by pleading no contest. The mainstream media bought into the premise that those boys were innocent. As have echols, miskelly and baldwin, and their years of incarceration have damaged them, guilty or innocent. The evidence supporting the conviction of the west memphis three is incomplete and does not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that they are guilty. Damien echols, jessie misskelley, and jason baldwin cc from wikipedia in the evening of may 5 th, 1993 in west memphis, arkansas three 8 year old boys were brutally raped, mutilated, and murdered by the west memphis three. Aug 04, 2018 west of memphis was produced by damien and one of his famous supporters peter jackson. Baldwin, 34, echols and misskelley, both 36, pleaded guilty to first and seconddegree murder charges while proclaiming their innocence, according to the new york times. Three at last the story of the west memphis three gq.
On 5 may 1993, three 8yearold cub scouts went missing in west memphis, arkansas. In the evening of may 5 th, 1993 in west memphis, arkansas three 8 year old boys were brutally raped, mutilated, and murdered by the west memphis three. Prosecutors then offered the west memphis three a plea deal. However, the prosecutors in the case still maintain a genuine belief that the three men are guilty. Aug 23, 2011 many believe that the west memphis three were convicted based on misleading evidence and smalltown prejudices. But whatever you think about the west memphis three guilty or innocent theres a powerful reminder here of the hope, the chance, of relief.
Three young boys were murdered in west memphis, arkansas. Do you think damian echols and the west memphis three are inocent. The best book about the west memphis 3 case yet written published by user, 12 years ago written in an objective newspaper style, blood of innocents is the single best book yet written about the west memphis murder case of 1993 in which 3 eight year olds were sadistically murdered, tortured and mutilated. False confessions and the west memphis three, innocence project, 23 augustus. The case against the west memphis 3 killers, volume ii this two volume study is the most thorough and definitive case study of this crime in book form.
I, for one, dont know if the west memphis three are guilty or innocent. The true story of the west memphis three is a 2002 true crime book by mara leveritt, about the 1993 murders of three eightyearold children and the subsequent trials of three teenagers charged with and convicted of the crimes. Its really weird that three totally innocent men all tried to fabricate alibis for. The trio, dubbed the west memphis three negotiated a plea bargain with prosecutors. For weeks in 1993, after the murders of three eightyearold boys, police in west memphis, arkansas seemed. Mar 28, 2016 it was a case that shocked the nation. Aug 18, 2017 despite a lack of evidence and copious amounts of missteps among cops and prosecutors and to say nothing of the simple fact that the west memphis three were innocent juries quickly found the teens guilty in 1994. The fact is todd and dana moore parents of michael moore, terry hobbs stepfather of stevie branch, and steve branch father of stevie branch all still firmly believe the wm3 are guilty as charged. Supporters of the west memphis three and lazy journalists often say even the parents of the victims think the west memphis three are innocent. The paradise lost and west of memphis documentaries and the book and. The book also claims that the police almost immediately ignored much more evidence. That he does not, in fact, believe the west memphis three are guilty.
There was a movie made that was pro west memphis 3, not guilty and numerous books pro and con. If damien, jason, and jessie really are guilty, then i pray that evidence of such will turn up or that they will confess. The west memphis three are three men who were tried and convicted as teenagers, in 1994, of the 1993 murders of three boys in west memphis, arkansas. While the three, better known as the west memphis three, entered an alford plea and are therefore not innocent in the eyes of the law, dna evidence suggests someone else is responsible for the 1993 murders of james michael moore, stephen branch, and christopher byers. Oct 01, 2010 three innocent lives were already taken unjustly, but ruining 2 more innocent lives and ending another innocent life is not going to justify the deaths of stevie, christopher, and michael. Former west memphis three inmate damien echols says he. Echolss alibi did not survive crossexamination at trial the jury would surely have noted this. There are also the reports of misskelleys crying fits after the murders.
Whether the men are guilty or innocent may never be determined. A trio of teens dubbed the west memphis three were jailed. Mar 14, 2015 im hoping for jessie to come out again and confess until the cows come home, write a book, do whatever he has to do to get right with god and make this case come to light again until everyone can see this is obvious that the west memphis three surely did this horrific crime the west memphis two especiallyi mean jason is the one who cut. Do you think damian echols and the west memphis three are.
Three local teens dubbed the west memphis three were charged and found guilty of the brutal slayings, but they long maintained their innocence. My gut feeling is that if a person is truly innocent, who has spent 18 years fighting for his innocence, hes not going to go and plead guilty to killing three 8yearold boys unless hes guilty. Witches in west memphis gives a comprehensive insiders view into the west memphis three case. But tonight, we are looking particularly at media and the role they played in furthering the injustice that put these men in prison. Damien echols, jason baldwin, and jessie misskelley were arrested, tried and convicted of killing michael moore, stevie branch, and chris byers. In 2011, they pled guilty to the crimes using an alford plea, yet were released from prison with time served.
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