Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
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Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
On May 5, 1993 three eight-year-old boys were reported missing in West Memphis, Arkansas.
On May 6, 1993 the grisly discovery of the mutilated bodies of the three boys was made.
The young victims
The convicted
The Arkansas Attorney General will defend the conviction of Damien Echols before the Arkansas Supreme Court on September 30, 2010.
The West Memphis 3 is the name given to three teenagers who were tried and convicted of the murders of three children in West Memphis, Arkansas, United States in 1993. Damien Echols was sentenced to death. Jessie Misskelley, Jr., was sentenced to life in prison, plus 40 years (he received two 20-year sentences in addition to the life sentence). Jason Baldwin was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The case has received considerable attention. Their supporters believe the arrests and convictions were a miscarriage of justice and that the defendants were wrongfully convicted during a period of intense media scrutiny. The defendants remain imprisoned, but legal proceedings are ongoing.
In July 2007, new forensic evidence was presented in the case, including evidence that none of the DNA collected at the crime scene matched the defendants, but did match Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of one of the victims, along with DNA from a friend of Hobbs' who he had been with on the day of the murders. The status report jointly issued by the State and the Defense team on July 17, 2007 states, "Although most of the genetic material recovered from the scene was attributable to the victims of the offenses, some of it cannot be attributed to either the victims or the defendants." On October 29, 2007, the defense filed a Second Amended Writ of Habeas Corpus, outlining the new evidence.
In September 2008, Judge David Burnett (Circuit Court) denied Echols' application for a hearing on the new DNA evidence. The Arkansas Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Burnett's decision on September 30, 2010. Unless that court reverses the conviction, he will proceed to federal court on his pending writ of habeas corpus.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Memphis_Three
On May 6, 1993 the grisly discovery of the mutilated bodies of the three boys was made.
The young victims
The convicted
The Arkansas Attorney General will defend the conviction of Damien Echols before the Arkansas Supreme Court on September 30, 2010.
The West Memphis 3 is the name given to three teenagers who were tried and convicted of the murders of three children in West Memphis, Arkansas, United States in 1993. Damien Echols was sentenced to death. Jessie Misskelley, Jr., was sentenced to life in prison, plus 40 years (he received two 20-year sentences in addition to the life sentence). Jason Baldwin was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The case has received considerable attention. Their supporters believe the arrests and convictions were a miscarriage of justice and that the defendants were wrongfully convicted during a period of intense media scrutiny. The defendants remain imprisoned, but legal proceedings are ongoing.
In July 2007, new forensic evidence was presented in the case, including evidence that none of the DNA collected at the crime scene matched the defendants, but did match Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of one of the victims, along with DNA from a friend of Hobbs' who he had been with on the day of the murders. The status report jointly issued by the State and the Defense team on July 17, 2007 states, "Although most of the genetic material recovered from the scene was attributable to the victims of the offenses, some of it cannot be attributed to either the victims or the defendants." On October 29, 2007, the defense filed a Second Amended Writ of Habeas Corpus, outlining the new evidence.
In September 2008, Judge David Burnett (Circuit Court) denied Echols' application for a hearing on the new DNA evidence. The Arkansas Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Burnett's decision on September 30, 2010. Unless that court reverses the conviction, he will proceed to federal court on his pending writ of habeas corpus.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Memphis_Three
Last edited by Piper on Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:23 pm; edited 3 times in total (Reason for editing : update)
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
A Most Heinous Crime
By Fiona Steel
On the afternoon of 6 May 1993, West Memphis was rocked by the news of the discovery of the mutilated bodies of three eight-year-old boys. Rumors regarding the nature of the murders spread like wildfire through the town. It was soon well known that the boys had been cut with a knife, raped and at least one of the boy's genitals had been cut, many of these rumors were based on inaccurate police assumptions. By 12.00 p.m. the next day, police were questioning their first suspect, Damien Echols. Several weeks later Jessie Misskelley, an associate of Echols, confessed to the murders, implicating Damien Echols and another friend, Jason Baldwin. Soon after, following a confession by Misskelley, the three teenagers were arrested and charged with the murders of James M. Moore, Steven E. Branch and Christopher M. Byers.
The citizens of West Memphis were relieved that the monsters that had committed these heinous crimes had been apprehended and justice would be served. There was a great deal of anger in the community directed towards these three adolescents, supposedly involved in Satanic cults, who were accused of killing three innocent boys as part of a Satanic ritual. Rumors of Satanic groups had abounded in this dominantly Baptist community for decades. Details of their exploits were well known although there was never any proof of any murders actually having been performed in the past. From the time the arrests were made until they were tried, local papers fed the community's blood-lust, with stories of Satanic abominations appearing on a regular basis.
On Wednesday 19 January 1994, Jessie Misskelley was sent to trial after an attempt to have his confession suppressed was denied. Two weeks later, he was found guilty on one count of first degree capital murder and two counts of second degree capital murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with no parole. He was seventeen years old.
The trial of Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols began on Tuesday 4 February 1994. On Monday 18 April 1994, they were both found guilty on three counts of capital murder. The next day Jason, just sixteen, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of forty years. Eighteen-year-old Damien Echols was sentenced to death by lethal injection.
More than five years after these sentences were handed down the three young men continue to proclaim their innocence and are persevering in their attempts to have new trials granted. This in itself is not unusual. There are many guilty men who have succeeded in tying up the legal system in the process of appeals for as many as fifteen years. What is unusual in this case is that they are not alone in proclaiming their innocence. Thousands of American citizens are convinced that Jessie, Jason and Damien were wrongly tried and convicted and are now lending their support to the fight for justice. Everyday this support is growing and now includes many criminal and legal experts who are throwing the weight of their knowledge and experience behind the three boys.
Damien Echols claims that he was found guilty long before the trial began because he was considered weird by many in the community, having practiced the Wicca religion and listened to the music of supposedly Satanic groups such as "Metallica." Jason believes he was found guilty by association. Jessie claims that his confession was coerced, claiming he had told police whatever they had wanted him to so that they would let him go.
Under question in this case is not merely whether Jessie, Jason and Damien are guilty or innocent, but whether the correct legal processes were upheld to secure their convictions. Was the basic tenet of the American legal system, the presumption of innocence, discarded in order to satisfy a community's call for the revenge of the dreadful murders of three innocent children?
Read more here:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/famous/memphis/index_1.html
By Fiona Steel
On the afternoon of 6 May 1993, West Memphis was rocked by the news of the discovery of the mutilated bodies of three eight-year-old boys. Rumors regarding the nature of the murders spread like wildfire through the town. It was soon well known that the boys had been cut with a knife, raped and at least one of the boy's genitals had been cut, many of these rumors were based on inaccurate police assumptions. By 12.00 p.m. the next day, police were questioning their first suspect, Damien Echols. Several weeks later Jessie Misskelley, an associate of Echols, confessed to the murders, implicating Damien Echols and another friend, Jason Baldwin. Soon after, following a confession by Misskelley, the three teenagers were arrested and charged with the murders of James M. Moore, Steven E. Branch and Christopher M. Byers.
The citizens of West Memphis were relieved that the monsters that had committed these heinous crimes had been apprehended and justice would be served. There was a great deal of anger in the community directed towards these three adolescents, supposedly involved in Satanic cults, who were accused of killing three innocent boys as part of a Satanic ritual. Rumors of Satanic groups had abounded in this dominantly Baptist community for decades. Details of their exploits were well known although there was never any proof of any murders actually having been performed in the past. From the time the arrests were made until they were tried, local papers fed the community's blood-lust, with stories of Satanic abominations appearing on a regular basis.
On Wednesday 19 January 1994, Jessie Misskelley was sent to trial after an attempt to have his confession suppressed was denied. Two weeks later, he was found guilty on one count of first degree capital murder and two counts of second degree capital murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with no parole. He was seventeen years old.
The trial of Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols began on Tuesday 4 February 1994. On Monday 18 April 1994, they were both found guilty on three counts of capital murder. The next day Jason, just sixteen, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of forty years. Eighteen-year-old Damien Echols was sentenced to death by lethal injection.
More than five years after these sentences were handed down the three young men continue to proclaim their innocence and are persevering in their attempts to have new trials granted. This in itself is not unusual. There are many guilty men who have succeeded in tying up the legal system in the process of appeals for as many as fifteen years. What is unusual in this case is that they are not alone in proclaiming their innocence. Thousands of American citizens are convinced that Jessie, Jason and Damien were wrongly tried and convicted and are now lending their support to the fight for justice. Everyday this support is growing and now includes many criminal and legal experts who are throwing the weight of their knowledge and experience behind the three boys.
Damien Echols claims that he was found guilty long before the trial began because he was considered weird by many in the community, having practiced the Wicca religion and listened to the music of supposedly Satanic groups such as "Metallica." Jason believes he was found guilty by association. Jessie claims that his confession was coerced, claiming he had told police whatever they had wanted him to so that they would let him go.
Under question in this case is not merely whether Jessie, Jason and Damien are guilty or innocent, but whether the correct legal processes were upheld to secure their convictions. Was the basic tenet of the American legal system, the presumption of innocence, discarded in order to satisfy a community's call for the revenge of the dreadful murders of three innocent children?
Read more here:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/famous/memphis/index_1.html
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
"West Memphis 3" Follow-Up
Posted: 12:51 PM ET
September 2, 2010
Statement from Diana Moore, mother of murder victim Michael Moore:
In 1993, all I wanted was justice for Michael, Christopher, and Stevie, and closure for myself, and my family. 17 years later, still no justice, or closure.
Since the convictions, the media has made it a point to make this case all about the convicted. I would like to take this opportunity to remind people that three innocent 8 year old children were brutally murdered, and these three men were convicted on the evidence presented to 24 , (in total), juror members that voted unanimously to convict.
Not one of the celebrities interviewed in this program has ever bothered to personally read the case file at West Memphis PD, or speak to anyone involved in prosecuting this case.
My little boy died that day. I'm his mother, and wish to say that the public remains ignorant about what happened in court primarily as a result of the Paradise Lost films, and the writing of Mara Leveritt. My voice is small compared to theirs, but I believe more relevant. They weren't there during the trials, and they didn't lose anybody. I lost almost everything, and not a day goes by that I don't mourn for Michael. The public should think about that before casting their lot in with Eddie Vedder and Natalie Maines.
Snipped from:
http://larrykinglive.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/02/west-memphis-3-follow-up/
Posted: 12:51 PM ET
September 2, 2010
Statement from Diana Moore, mother of murder victim Michael Moore:
In 1993, all I wanted was justice for Michael, Christopher, and Stevie, and closure for myself, and my family. 17 years later, still no justice, or closure.
Since the convictions, the media has made it a point to make this case all about the convicted. I would like to take this opportunity to remind people that three innocent 8 year old children were brutally murdered, and these three men were convicted on the evidence presented to 24 , (in total), juror members that voted unanimously to convict.
Not one of the celebrities interviewed in this program has ever bothered to personally read the case file at West Memphis PD, or speak to anyone involved in prosecuting this case.
My little boy died that day. I'm his mother, and wish to say that the public remains ignorant about what happened in court primarily as a result of the Paradise Lost films, and the writing of Mara Leveritt. My voice is small compared to theirs, but I believe more relevant. They weren't there during the trials, and they didn't lose anybody. I lost almost everything, and not a day goes by that I don't mourn for Michael. The public should think about that before casting their lot in with Eddie Vedder and Natalie Maines.
Snipped from:
http://larrykinglive.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/02/west-memphis-3-follow-up/
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines and Johnny Depp: Defending the West Memphis Three
6 days ago
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Punk goddess Patti Smith, superstar Johnny Depp, Dixie Chick Natalie Maines and grunge political activist Eddie Vedder descended on Bill Clinton's hometown Saturday night with a message.
Free the West Memphis Three.
The West Memphis Three case has dragged on for 17 years, becoming an international cause.
Read more:
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/08/29/dixie-chicks-natalie-maines-and-johnny-depp-defending-the-west/
6 days ago
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Punk goddess Patti Smith, superstar Johnny Depp, Dixie Chick Natalie Maines and grunge political activist Eddie Vedder descended on Bill Clinton's hometown Saturday night with a message.
Free the West Memphis Three.
The West Memphis Three case has dragged on for 17 years, becoming an international cause.
Read more:
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/08/29/dixie-chicks-natalie-maines-and-johnny-depp-defending-the-west/
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
Why do celebrities always think the public gives a damn what they think??? Why must they always insert themselves into things that they have no business putting their noses in??
Diana Moore is right.... those celebrities didn't lose their innocent 8 year old son. And they weren't there during the trial, day in and day out. And most likely, they haven't even bothered to learn all the facts of the case. I wonder if any of them would feel these three convicted murderers should be freed it it was THEIR 8 year old son who had been murdered.
Natalie Maines, in particular, makes me sick.
Diana Moore is right.... those celebrities didn't lose their innocent 8 year old son. And they weren't there during the trial, day in and day out. And most likely, they haven't even bothered to learn all the facts of the case. I wonder if any of them would feel these three convicted murderers should be freed it it was THEIR 8 year old son who had been murdered.
Natalie Maines, in particular, makes me sick.
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
My heart aches for the families of these 3 slain boys...
I know about this story and cant believe how there were convictions...thankfully DNA was finally extracted where it will exonerate these accused.. They shud have never been charged in the first place as there was only circumstantial evidence and a law enforcement agency who was relentless in having these accused tried...
This story is a great example of LE going after someone and becoming relentless. Then the media follows and the public is polluted with shoddy LE and reporters..
Next the person/ppl are charged and the jury somehow finds the person guilty... not because of overwhelming evidence either...
These boys were convicted on sheer suspicion after much doubt was cast agaisnt them.. They sure werent saints but after reading of thee lack of evidence they were convicted on, it is sickening...
I used to believe that everyone LE went after was prolly guilty.. I have come to a different belief because of so many wrongful convictions where there wasnt enough evidence to justify charges .. let alone how a jury found the person guilty..
Circumstantial evidence shud not be allowed to justify charges... it is inevitable in most cases that once LE charge someone, they will likley be found guilty..
I wish the public wud demand more than circumstantial evidence... Lets face it .. cases of circumstance cud make the pope look guilty..
I am really questioning our judicial system.. I am glad these convicted felons, have a huge voice behind them...I dont care if its a celebrity or a lawyer who becomes involved for the sake of miscarriages of justice..
If these guys didnt have this voice, I doubt they wud ever get another chance... The proof is in the pudding and the step fathers DNA was finally found on the remains... none of the accused.. thats enough for me, especially knowing the step dads alleged history along with the fact that there was physical evidence of any of the accused anywhere...cant even believe they were charged..
Obviously I dont know if they committed this crime, but I do think that the evidence that convicted them was far too little...
I also want to be clear... I wud never want justice forfitted or denied for any victim, yet I am not satisfied with how easy circumstantial evidence is collected and used to convict ppl... It seems to be rampant.. Witchunts are becoming part of daily media stories and for really no reason.. this is wrong
I believe that " beyond a reasonable doubt" is a very loose term and needs restructuring...new boundaries..
We are seeing more and more exonerations because of dna being found, where convictions are being overturned..
There are many cases where there either isnt dna left,(after shoddy botched investigations or we havent found a way to extract the physcical/chemical evidence yet, to find the evidence...
We have to start learning from all these false convictions and set some new rules.. It seems to be getting worse now..
The internet brings national attention to many cases and it appears that LE have a way of taking short cuts by polluting a persons potential innocence with implication. Then the media seems to accept it and run with it....by then its too late for that person.. Being impartial seems to be non existent .. It seems more and more groups of 12 impartial ppl are getting harder to find.. but I do think that is the fault of so many charges being laid with little or no evidence..
Also, although I cant imagine what a victim of crimes, family goes through. It seems that many of these families are so focused on having justice that it seems that many are easily swayed by LE's suspicions, and influence... I do not blame the families, but I blame LE... I also want to point out that families beliefs can be planted and influenced by LE with little or no evidence and then theses families become witnesses, which holds alot of weight where the accused is even more looked down upon..
Curious to know if anyone watched the footage on this case and your thoughts about it?
I know about this story and cant believe how there were convictions...thankfully DNA was finally extracted where it will exonerate these accused.. They shud have never been charged in the first place as there was only circumstantial evidence and a law enforcement agency who was relentless in having these accused tried...
This story is a great example of LE going after someone and becoming relentless. Then the media follows and the public is polluted with shoddy LE and reporters..
Next the person/ppl are charged and the jury somehow finds the person guilty... not because of overwhelming evidence either...
These boys were convicted on sheer suspicion after much doubt was cast agaisnt them.. They sure werent saints but after reading of thee lack of evidence they were convicted on, it is sickening...
I used to believe that everyone LE went after was prolly guilty.. I have come to a different belief because of so many wrongful convictions where there wasnt enough evidence to justify charges .. let alone how a jury found the person guilty..
Circumstantial evidence shud not be allowed to justify charges... it is inevitable in most cases that once LE charge someone, they will likley be found guilty..
I wish the public wud demand more than circumstantial evidence... Lets face it .. cases of circumstance cud make the pope look guilty..
I am really questioning our judicial system.. I am glad these convicted felons, have a huge voice behind them...I dont care if its a celebrity or a lawyer who becomes involved for the sake of miscarriages of justice..
If these guys didnt have this voice, I doubt they wud ever get another chance... The proof is in the pudding and the step fathers DNA was finally found on the remains... none of the accused.. thats enough for me, especially knowing the step dads alleged history along with the fact that there was physical evidence of any of the accused anywhere...cant even believe they were charged..
Obviously I dont know if they committed this crime, but I do think that the evidence that convicted them was far too little...
I also want to be clear... I wud never want justice forfitted or denied for any victim, yet I am not satisfied with how easy circumstantial evidence is collected and used to convict ppl... It seems to be rampant.. Witchunts are becoming part of daily media stories and for really no reason.. this is wrong
I believe that " beyond a reasonable doubt" is a very loose term and needs restructuring...new boundaries..
We are seeing more and more exonerations because of dna being found, where convictions are being overturned..
There are many cases where there either isnt dna left,(after shoddy botched investigations or we havent found a way to extract the physcical/chemical evidence yet, to find the evidence...
We have to start learning from all these false convictions and set some new rules.. It seems to be getting worse now..
The internet brings national attention to many cases and it appears that LE have a way of taking short cuts by polluting a persons potential innocence with implication. Then the media seems to accept it and run with it....by then its too late for that person.. Being impartial seems to be non existent .. It seems more and more groups of 12 impartial ppl are getting harder to find.. but I do think that is the fault of so many charges being laid with little or no evidence..
Also, although I cant imagine what a victim of crimes, family goes through. It seems that many of these families are so focused on having justice that it seems that many are easily swayed by LE's suspicions, and influence... I do not blame the families, but I blame LE... I also want to point out that families beliefs can be planted and influenced by LE with little or no evidence and then theses families become witnesses, which holds alot of weight where the accused is even more looked down upon..
Curious to know if anyone watched the footage on this case and your thoughts about it?
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
I've watched all the documentaries on this case over the years.
If there is newly discovered forensic evidence and DNA pointing to others involvement, it needs to be investigated for the sake of justice for these little boys and their families. If the true killers are already imprisoned, they are where they need to be. If some other sick SOB got away with this, they need to be punished.
Clipped from above:
In July 2007, new forensic evidence was presented in the case, including evidence that none of the DNA collected at the crime scene matched the defendants, but did match Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of one of the victims, along with DNA from a friend of Hobbs' who he had been with on the day of the murders. The status report jointly issued by the State and the Defense team on July 17, 2007 states, "Although most of the genetic material recovered from the scene was attributable to the victims of the offenses, some of it cannot be attributed to either the victims or the defendants." On October 29, 2007, the defense filed a Second Amended Writ of Habeas Corpus, outlining the new evidence.
Celebrities don't sway my position on any matter.
If there is newly discovered forensic evidence and DNA pointing to others involvement, it needs to be investigated for the sake of justice for these little boys and their families. If the true killers are already imprisoned, they are where they need to be. If some other sick SOB got away with this, they need to be punished.
Clipped from above:
In July 2007, new forensic evidence was presented in the case, including evidence that none of the DNA collected at the crime scene matched the defendants, but did match Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of one of the victims, along with DNA from a friend of Hobbs' who he had been with on the day of the murders. The status report jointly issued by the State and the Defense team on July 17, 2007 states, "Although most of the genetic material recovered from the scene was attributable to the victims of the offenses, some of it cannot be attributed to either the victims or the defendants." On October 29, 2007, the defense filed a Second Amended Writ of Habeas Corpus, outlining the new evidence.
Celebrities don't sway my position on any matter.
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
"West Memphis 3" Get New Hearing in Murders of Three 8-Year-Old Cub Scouts
Posted by Caroline Black
November 4, 2010 2:38 PM
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (CBS/AP) After analyzing new DNA evidence, the Arkansas Supreme Court has ordered a new hearing for the "West Memphis 3," three men convicted as teens in the 1993 murders of three West Memphis Cub Scouts.
The justices also said a lower court must examine claims of misconduct by jurors who sentenced Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley, and Jason Baldwin..
Defense attorneys hope the DNA evidence will exonerate Echols, who has been on death-row since 1994, as well as Misskelley and Baldwin who are serving life terms in prison.
Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20021818-504083.html
Posted by Caroline Black
November 4, 2010 2:38 PM
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (CBS/AP) After analyzing new DNA evidence, the Arkansas Supreme Court has ordered a new hearing for the "West Memphis 3," three men convicted as teens in the 1993 murders of three West Memphis Cub Scouts.
The justices also said a lower court must examine claims of misconduct by jurors who sentenced Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley, and Jason Baldwin..
Defense attorneys hope the DNA evidence will exonerate Echols, who has been on death-row since 1994, as well as Misskelley and Baldwin who are serving life terms in prison.
Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20021818-504083.html
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
Justice for these three little boys needs to prevail, one way or another. If Terry Hobbs DNA was found at the scene there needs to be an answer as to why. If no DNA matches the three convicted, but they used other evidence to convict, it needs to be reinvestigated. I don't want to see these three walk if they are guilty. Three 8 year boys were abucted, sexually assaulted, stabbed, one of them horribly mutilated and left to die in a creek bed. One of the mothers said the public didn't hear all of the evidence brought forth in court, and I believe her. But if the step father's DNA is now known to be found at the scene, along with the friend of the step father's DNA, I agree with the new hearing.
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
Convicted child killers freed after plea change
Judge OKs deal with prosecutors and 'West Memphis 3' in horrific 1993 murders
Read article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44199686/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/
Judge OKs deal with prosecutors and 'West Memphis 3' in horrific 1993 murders
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Read article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44199686/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
Julie, thanks for posting the video and the Link. I remember when this happened years ago.
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
Piper wrote:Several weeks later Jessie Misskelley, an associate of Echols, confessed to the murders, implicating Damien Echols and another friend, Jason Baldwin. Soon after, following a confession by Misskelley, the three teenagers were arrested and charged with the murders of James M. Moore, Steven E. Branch and Christopher M. Byers.
I have read this thread several times and unless I have drastically misread the above quote and missed the answer somewhere, I am wondering if it is stated anywhere "why the confession if they didn't do it?"
Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
PI - I was looking for that too, couldn't find it.
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
I've always wondered the same thing. Apparently, Misskelley has a low IQ or some sort of mental impairment, from what I've read. I know from some other cases, innocent people have pleaded guilty, don't know why, LE pressure?
3 men convicted in 1993 Cub Scout slayings go free
By JEANNIE NUSS Associated Press
Posted: 08/19/2011 12:03:33 AM MDTUpdated: 08/19/2011 03:18:42 PM MDT
ONESBORO, Ark.—Three men convicted in the nightmarish slayings of three Cub Scouts went free Friday, nearly two decades after they were sent to prison in a case so gruesome it raised suspicions the children had been sacrificed in a Satanic ritual.
Doubts about the evidence against the trio had persisted for years and threatened to force prosecutors to put on a second trial in 2012.
Instead, the so-called West Memphis Three were permitted to plead guilty to murder in exchange for time served, ending a long-running legal battle that had raised questions about DNA and key witnesses—and attracted support from celebrities such as Eddie Vedder.
The men entered the pleas under a legal provision that allowed them to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict them.
"Although I am innocent, this plea is in my best interest," Jessie Misskelley said.
Damien Echols had been on Arkansas' death row and in 1994 came within three weeks of execution. He remained defiant, accusing prosecutors of using innuendo and faulty evidence to convict them.
In the event of a new trial, "they knew there would be more people watching, more attention on the case, so they wouldn't be able to pull the same tricks," Echols said.
Prosecutor Scott Ellington said it would be "practically impossible" to put on a proper trial after 18 years. The mother of a witness who testified about Echols' confession has publicly questioned her daughter's truthfulness. And a crime lab employee who collected fiber evidence at two of the defendants' homes has died.
Read more: 3 men convicted in 1993 Cub Scout slayings go free - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_18714646?source=rss#ixzz1VW3ByBUH
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse
3 men convicted in 1993 Cub Scout slayings go free
By JEANNIE NUSS Associated Press
Posted: 08/19/2011 12:03:33 AM MDTUpdated: 08/19/2011 03:18:42 PM MDT
ONESBORO, Ark.—Three men convicted in the nightmarish slayings of three Cub Scouts went free Friday, nearly two decades after they were sent to prison in a case so gruesome it raised suspicions the children had been sacrificed in a Satanic ritual.
Doubts about the evidence against the trio had persisted for years and threatened to force prosecutors to put on a second trial in 2012.
Instead, the so-called West Memphis Three were permitted to plead guilty to murder in exchange for time served, ending a long-running legal battle that had raised questions about DNA and key witnesses—and attracted support from celebrities such as Eddie Vedder.
The men entered the pleas under a legal provision that allowed them to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict them.
"Although I am innocent, this plea is in my best interest," Jessie Misskelley said.
Damien Echols had been on Arkansas' death row and in 1994 came within three weeks of execution. He remained defiant, accusing prosecutors of using innuendo and faulty evidence to convict them.
In the event of a new trial, "they knew there would be more people watching, more attention on the case, so they wouldn't be able to pull the same tricks," Echols said.
Prosecutor Scott Ellington said it would be "practically impossible" to put on a proper trial after 18 years. The mother of a witness who testified about Echols' confession has publicly questioned her daughter's truthfulness. And a crime lab employee who collected fiber evidence at two of the defendants' homes has died.
Read more: 3 men convicted in 1993 Cub Scout slayings go free - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_18714646?source=rss#ixzz1VW3ByBUH
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse
Piper- Posts : 10277
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
~Snipped~
Instead, the so-called West Memphis Three were permitted to plead guilty to murder in exchange for time served, ending a long-running legal battle that had raised questions about DNA and key witnesses—and attracted support from celebrities such as Eddie Vedder.
The men entered the pleas under a legal provision that allowed them to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict them.
The above plea, I don't understand at all....
Instead, the so-called West Memphis Three were permitted to plead guilty to murder in exchange for time served, ending a long-running legal battle that had raised questions about DNA and key witnesses—and attracted support from celebrities such as Eddie Vedder.
The men entered the pleas under a legal provision that allowed them to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict them.
The above plea, I don't understand at all....
Piper- Posts : 10277
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
But, with the new evidence presented in July 2011 showing that DNA found at the scene did not match any of the defendants, it made me go back to the videos and the stepdad. Terry Hobbs and his friend, made me think maybe.......I wonder what will happen from here. Of course, I don't know what happened. It's a horrible tragedy, these little boys suffered a horrific death. There is also still an unidentified bloody man running into the restaurant that night cleaning up, they never investigated or found this person....
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
West Memphis 3: The cost of freedom
By Erin Moriarty
September 17, 2011 5:28 PM
In their first television interviews since being freed from prison, Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin talk exclusively with "48 Hours Mystery" Erin Moriarty. Watch "West Memphis 3: Free" Saturday, Sept,. 17 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
This is what justice in Arkansas looks like: On Aug. 19, 2011, Judge David Laser in Craighead County released three men who had spent the last 18 years in prison, one of them on death row. But as part of an unusual plea agreement, the three men -- Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley -- who insist they are innocent, had to first plead guilty to three counts of murder.
Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20107784-504083.html
By Erin Moriarty
September 17, 2011 5:28 PM
In their first television interviews since being freed from prison, Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin talk exclusively with "48 Hours Mystery" Erin Moriarty. Watch "West Memphis 3: Free" Saturday, Sept,. 17 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
This is what justice in Arkansas looks like: On Aug. 19, 2011, Judge David Laser in Craighead County released three men who had spent the last 18 years in prison, one of them on death row. But as part of an unusual plea agreement, the three men -- Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley -- who insist they are innocent, had to first plead guilty to three counts of murder.
Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20107784-504083.html
Last edited by Justice4all on Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:40 pm; edited 1 time in total
Justice4all- Admin
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
Thanks fo posting this J4A, I was watching for somehting on them. I had not seen that it would be on tonight.
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Justice4all- Admin
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
If they REALLY didn't do it then I say...It's about time...I can't pass judgement or give any other opinion as I didn't get emotionally involved in this case...
Estee- Posts : 6008
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Re: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, Steve Branch -- Found Deceased 5/6/93 -- West Memphis Three Set Free 8/19/11
Pierce Morgan has an interview with Damien Echols, his wife Lorri Davis, and Jason Baldwin of the West Memphis Three tonight at 9 pm Eastern on CNN.
http://piersmorgan.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/29/damien-echols-of-west-memphis-three-describes-life-in-jail-i-hadnt-seen-daylight-in-almost-a-decade/?hpt=pm_mid
http://piersmorgan.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/29/damien-echols-of-west-memphis-three-describes-life-in-jail-i-hadnt-seen-daylight-in-almost-a-decade/?hpt=pm_mid
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