pg.acq.push(function() { They'd first come into contact almost precisely a year before Echols was arrested alongside his then-girlfriend Deanna Holcomb. hitType: 'event', ADVERTISEMENT A prime example of the issues with the confession was that Misskelley was giving false information that was believed accurate by police at the time, stating that he saw Echols and Baldwin go into the woods with the three boys and rape them. They were released on Aug. 19, 2011. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { An attorney involved in the West Memphis Three case, in which three teenagers were convicted of killing three boys in 1993, is claiming that evidence related to the case that was believed to be lost or destroyed has been located at the West Memphis Police Department, local CBS affiliate WREG reported. Misskelley was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. But it seemed the story for the West Memphis Three was over. The West Memphis Three were the distinctive people in the town of West Memphis; however, there was little evidence suggesting they killed the three young boys. The West Memphis Three are Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr., whoas teenagerswere convicted in 1994 of triple murder in West Memphis (Crittenden County). Who Is The Real Killer Behind The 'West Memphis Three' Murders? Echols lawyer stated that new DNA evidence did not place him at the scene of the crime. In 2010, the West Memphis Three were granted to appear before the Arkansas Supreme Court based on the new DNA evidence and potential misconduct by the jury. }); Opinion remains divided on whether the right men were convicted or if the actual killers still walk the streets of West Memphis. Tape recorded, Misskelley would claim that "When the boys came up, Damien grabbed one of them, I don't know which one and the other two tried to get Damien to stop, and then me and Jason come out and started grabbing them, started hitting them." Increasingly alarmed, searchers saw a black shoe floating in a muddy creek that afternoon. It took 18 years, a deep probe into the criminal justice system, and the rallying of a March 3, 2023, at 3:19 p.m. Video Shows Memphis Jailers Beating Black Inmate Who Died. ", 'Very open to the idea': Julia Wandelt takes DNA test to verify if she is missing Swiss girl Livia Schepp, Kayla Lemieux: Teacher with prosthetic Z-cup breasts suspended WITH PAY after pics show her dressed as man, 'We have lots to reveal': Madeleine McCann lookalike Julia Wandelt posts footage of meeting with PI probing claims, Lindsay Clancy case: Psychologist reveals psychosis red flags family members could have spotted, Horror at Larchwood Care! WebDevil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three is a 2002 true crime book by Mara Leveritt, about the 1993 murders of three eight-year-old children and the subsequent trials of three teenagers charged with and convicted of the crimes.The names of the three teens convicted - Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley - would come to be Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. Goths, punks and skaters were in the ascendency, and Middle America was horrified. The 'West Memphis Three' were exonerated following the advent of improved DNA technology (West Memphis Police Department) John Mark Byers, who was suspected in the deaths of three West Memphis children in 1993, died in a car crash earlier this week, officials in Tennessee revealed on Friday, June 19. His behavior as it became apparent Echols, Misskelley, and Baldwin would be cleared of the murders, was questioned as well. Branch had 21 particular wounds, including a large gouge to the left side of his face, with Byers having 62 differing injuries. }) There were even witnesses who placed Misskelley at his trailer until 6:30 p.m., the time the boys went missing, with one revealing he picked him up to go wrestling around 7:30 p.m. When they didn't, the first phone call would be made to police not long afterward, John Mark Byers raising the alarm with police close to 8 p.m. Despite doubt over the way authorities handled the case, as well as a lack of substantial evidence, the West Memphis Three were found guilty. During questioning, Echols mentioned wounds to the genital that one of the victims suffered. Both Echols and Misskelley had dropped out of high school, while Baldwin continued to achieve high grades, making the pair something of an odd couple, known for their involvement in petty crimes such as vandalism. It can now be tested, to see who left DNA at the crime scene. Efforts to release the West Memphis Three would be aided in 2003 when Vicki Hutcheson ultimately recanted her testimony, telling the "Arkansas Times" that everything she told police was a lie. 'West Memphis Three' case: John Byers, suspect and stepfather of one of the slain boys, dies in car crash. Speaking about Echols to The New York Times in 1993, high school teacher Jim Ferguson said, "he's like some wacko cult member.". Misskelley was interrogated for 12 hours, of which less than an hour were recorded. Both men were increasingly concerned about the potential for human sacrifices when it was a full moon. Never mentioned in the autopsy or at either trial, they didn't match for Echols, Misskelley or Baldwin. The West Memphis Three were the distinctive people in the town of West Memphis; however, there was little evidence suggesting they killed the three young boys. The 'West Memphis Three' were exonerated following the advent of improved DNA technology (West Memphis Police Department) John Mark Byers, who was suspected in the deaths of three West Memphis children in 1993, died in a car crash earlier this week, officials in Tennessee revealed on Friday, June 19. 'Feels Like Home:' electrical failure from a light fixture caused December fire that killed 1, Shelby County reporting an increase in drug-related overdoses, largely due to fentanyl, Severe weather threat is over | Prepare for a sunny weekend, Daylight saving time starts soon. let gads_event; Subsequent interviews with Vicki Hutcheson were just as contradictory. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. All three were second-grade pupils at Weaver Elementary School, with Branch being an honor student. hitType: 'event', Generation X was seen as cynical slackers, beholden to social-tribal identity and influenced by the likes of MTV and the ever-growing internet. However, during his time at the station, Aaron mentioned that his three friends had been killed at "the playhouse.". },false) Entering a plea of not guilty, Richard Ofshe testified that Misskelley's confession had been a "classic example" of police coercion. During the filming, cameraman Doug Cooper would be given a folding hunting knife by John Mark Byers, Christopher Byers' stepfather. Hutcheson was accused of settling from her employer and forced to bring her young son, Aaron Hutcheson, to the interview. Quoted by WMC-TV in 2013, Jacoby said, "They said close to the crime scene because at one time I did walk near where they had found the kids with Terry Hobbs, his father-in-law, his wife," adding. Pamela Hobbs gave numerous interviews to the press where she spoke about the knife, the DNA, and the events of May 5 and 6, 1994. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were best friends. It is easy for many to look at the South as hillbilly central, full of prejudice and backward attitudes, with somewhat elitist attitudes often prevalent when discussing the case. Police almost immediately turned their attention to Baldwin, Echols and Misskelley and suspected them of killing the boys. This was a result of getting enraged, going too far, and then having to basically clean up the mess," he said. These three would come to be known as the West Memphis Three. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Every piece is still there https://t.co/8tzxOWjZLH, - Damien Echols (@damienechols) December 21, 2021. Equally, Wiccans reject their beliefs are a form of Satanism, with the movement being closer to Neo-Paganism and nature religions and almost exclusively pacifistic in nature. His prior history of domestic violence didn't reflect well either. All three appealed the convictions. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Baldwin got life behind bars, and Echols was sentenced to death by lethal injection. It was likely the teenager was deliberately provoking Driver and exaggerating his lifestyle, leading the officer to become convinced that Echols was involved in a Satanic cult straight from a horror film. By Benjamin H. Smith Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three? Curiously, most of the injuries suffered by Byers were to the lower body, whereas the damage inflicted on Branch and Moore was primarily to the upper body. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. According to her new story, police had threatened to take her child if she didn't "cooperate." However, her description of the boy she nearly hit was inconsistent with either Branch, Byers or Moore, and it was, in fact, a fourth boy by the name of George Taylor. Bike found near the "West Memphis Three" crime scene. Sometimes justice is neither pretty, nor is it perfect, but it was important to take this opportunity to be free.". While the stepfather initially denied it had ever been used, he later changed his story and said he had used it just once, to cut deer meat. He showed several old scars from prior injuries. He even said that he saw John Mark Byers assisting in the killings. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ Initially a suspect himself amongst some people, John Mark Byers added his voice to those doubts before being killed in a car crash last year. Driver's comments surrounding the case raised troubling questions over his competence to serve, stating he believed Echols and his girlfriend intended to sacrifice their expectant child to Satan. Nine days later, Misskelley would confess again. One individual on the police radar was convicted pedophile James K. Martin. The assailant is also prone to violent outbursts, likely has a history of domestic violence, and places a high importance on punishment. But in the process, the West Memphis Three get blamed for the crime they didn't commit. ga('ads.send', { However, the day afterward, Hutcheson would tell police that she, Echols and Misskelley had all attended a Wicca meeting in Turrell, Arkansas, where Echols became drunk and started to loudly brag about having committed the killings of Branch, Byers and Moore. John Mark Byers, stepfather of Chris Byers and initially the subject of considerable suspicion himself, is shown calling Terry Hobbs a "baby killer" outside an Arkansas courtroom. He said the evidence, which he claims city officials previously told him was lost, destroyed or missing, was found intact and organized. Toggle dark mode Terry Hobbs and Pamela Hicks. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. Friends and family tried in vain to find the missing boys. All three would be happy to talk, with Bly saying that Misskelley was the leader of a Satanic cult that also involved Baldwin, Echols, his girlfriend Domini Teer, and others 20 in all. WebThe West Memphis Three were the first people in West Memphis, Arkansas who were accused of murdering the three young boys. ET. There is no mention of Santic overtones or symbolism in the early written reports by police, nor correspondence with the FBI. One such suspect was none other than Byers. Police detective Bryn Ridge would later testify he somehow lost the samples from Bojangles' wall. I believe there was an incident of over-disciplining one of the boys. They were mutilated and bruised, and their clothes were in the nearby creek. The West Memphis Three were charged with the murder of three boys in 1994. While Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley may have begun to rebuild their lives, there is still no solace or closure for the families of Steve Branch, Christopher Byers, and Michael Moore. Christopher Byers' father, Rick Murray, was one of the early voices to speak out against the West Memphis Three's convictions, with Pamela Hobbs perhaps becoming the most vocal. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! It became humiliating, something I'd do everything I could to hide from the rest of the world. Then read about the woman who was convicted for locking her deaf sister in a room for seven years. Indiana man accused of murdering motorist after accident in Illinois now facing charges in separate murder, Man shot, killed after crash on highway, suspect charged with murder, police say, Woman Started Firing At Pool Party, Killing One And Injuring Two, Police Say, Subscribe to Front Page Detectives Newsletter. VEGA, Texas (KFDA) - Two people were killed and two others were injured after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 west of Vega. She would state that her son had strangely said "I love you, mom" repeatedly on the way home from school on the day he vanished. He tried to fight back and showed defensive injuries. When three boys turn up murdered, a small town is desperate to find the killer. New evidence immediately began to come to light that cast even further doubts on the already shaky judgment and presented new and surprising suspects. Over the nine years since their release, there have been dozens of theories that pointed to other suspects who could have been behind the deaths of Christopher, Michael, and Steve. The use of shoelaces had yet to be revealed to the public, yet Martin was eventually cleared of any involvement. Adding that his client was "a mentally handicapped person who is quite suggestible. WebWest Memphis Three, three American men who in 1994, while teenagers, were found guilty of murdering three young boys in West Memphis, Arkansas, allegedly as part of devil worship. At the trial, the prosecution continued the claims of Satanic overtones, calling Dale W. Griffis of the unaccredited Columbia Pacific University distance learning school as an "expert" witness to affirm the killings were definitely occult related. However, the matter was sent to appeal, and Burnett was elected to the Arkansas State Senate, with his replacement being David Laser. Attorney General Griffin expects Echols' legal team to refile in Craighead County, but he said that it won't make a difference in the long run. In 1997 Byers had all his teeth removed, claiming both that medication he was taking caused gum disease and he'd planned to remove them as he had suffered dental problems for years. Despite the continuing doubts over the testimony, police pulled in Misskelley on June 3 alongside two other alleged cult members, Ricky Climer and Alvis Bly. However, Misskelley wouldn't only confess in that police interview room. 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. She also revealed that her ex-husband had once asked her sister point-blank if she suspected him in the killings. If they thought they could trust the person who was the actual threat, then that person could get close enough to them to control them so that they couldn't run away," he told Ruff. Damien Echols was sentenced to death, Jessie Misskelley Jr. to life imprisonment plus two 20-year sentences, and Jason Baldwin to life imprisonment. At the scene, Steve Jones, assistant juvenile probation officer, openly speculated that Echols was capable of the crime, saying, "it looks like Damien Echols finally killed someone.". While he was on medication that may have affected the outcome, including Xanax, it seems that his suspected involvement in the killings was a complete dead end. Misskelley's confession couldn't be utilized if he had stood trial alongside Echols and Baldwin under what is known as the Bruton rule stemming from Bruton v. United States. Working at the crime scene, police made a series of errors that would significantly impede the case. Who Is The Real Killer Behind The 'West Memphis Three' Murders? Echols was from a poor background and struggled both with poverty and his mental health, having been institutionalized for several months after considering suicide. The following afternoon, the bodies of Steve Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were found by a muddy ditch. Sign up to receive breakingFront Page Detectivesnews and exclusive investigations. All three bodies were immediately removed from the water before the coroner arrived, meaning that they were exposed to sunlight and insects before judgments could be made surrounding rigor mortis and the time of death. Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley were accused of killing three eight-year-old boys: Chris Byers, Stevie Branch, and Michael Moore. "He had to spend this time because if he didn't, he would get caught. WebThe West Memphis Three were the first people in West Memphis, Arkansas who were accused of murdering the three young boys. Despite the defense stating that Echols' statements on Byers genitals and the boys being drowned could have been public knowledge locally, particularly considering known leaks had been made, both Echols and Baldwin were found guilty on three counts of murder. Misskelley confessed during the interrogation but later took rescinded it, stating that he did it out our fear and intimidation. In 2000, Berlinger and Sinofsky would produce "Paradise Lost 2: Revelations," a sequel to their 1996 film. The DNA of these three children is likely in that evidence," said Lonnie Soury, a member of Damien Echols' legal team. Police on the case felt that there were cult-like and satanic overtones to the murders. Both had histories of drug offenses, and Morgan claimed to police he suffered from memory loss and blackouts, stating he "might have" killed the three boys. Judge Laser vacated all previous convictions and ordered a new trial where the West Memphis Three would be allowed to make the plea, sentencing them to time served. The Story Of The West Memphis Teens Wrongfully Imprisoned 18 Years For Satanic Murder. 1." "Chief Pope's resignation is completely unrelated to the West Memphis three rumors being sent out on social media," the statement reads. }); eventAction: 'load' Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Who killed Stevie Eventually, three local teenagers, Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley, and Jason Baldwin, were zeroed in on as the prime suspects. }); John Mark Byers, who was suspected in the deaths of three West Memphis children in 1993, died in a car crash earlier this week, officials in Tennessee revealed on Friday, June 19. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. Soon after, witness, Narlene Hollingsworth, reported she saw three boys riding bikes, almost hitting one when he rode out in front of her car. The Story Of The West Memphis Teens Wrongfully Imprisoned 18 Years For Satanic Murder. Stating that he was "scared of the police," Misskelley confessed to murder. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { Their clothing was found in the same creek, and some of it had been twisted around sticks that had been fixed into the muddy ditch bed. With the addition of a 10-year suspended sentence, a probation type sentencing which meant if they did anything illegal they would be put back in jail, the West Memphis Three were sentenced to time served. A few years later, he was facing charges relating to the use of terroristic threats, grand theft, and drug use. All three boys were naked and hogtied using their shoelaces, each ankle tied with a wrist behind their backs. However, this approach was countered by other officers who believed firmly the occult must be involved at some level, looking immediately toward Damien Echols, who had built a reputation in the local community. To this day, it is still unclear who is responsible for the brutal murders, and in hopes of uncovering new potential leads, investigative podcaster Bob Ruff reexamined the case in . Another story claimed Aaron saw a mass of "The Dragons," an alleged coven with five members, spoke Spanish and sang about Satan. A polygraph indicated some level of deception in his statements to police, yet it should be noted that a heart condition may have affected the results. He took one of them I don't know which one cut him on I think it was on this side of his face.". In statements under oath, the three witnesses say that Michael Hobbs told them, "My uncle killed three boys in West Memphis." Sign up for newsletter today. Yet, none of this makes a murderer, and Echols, like most readers of LaVey and Crowley, believed that their work had been unfairly maligned as evil, instead calling to libertarian freedom away from the confines of Christian morality. All Rights Reserved. Stevie Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore. With the evidence mounting that all three accused had been innocent, the deal ensured that Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley would never be allowed to pursue civil action against the state of Arkansas for wrongful imprisonment. Due to marital problems stemming from Stevies death, the couple divorced in 2004, reported CNN. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); Yet Misskelley kept talking, confessing again on Feb. 4. Prosecutors argued that the three teenagers, with Echols as the lead, committed the murders as part of a satanic ritual. Echols was generally seen as the dominant personality where Baldwin was concerned. "But I didn't wear hats back then; my hair could have blown around anywhere.". 1:53 Digital Original Motivations For Investigating The West Memphis Case 1:05 Preview MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. The West Memphis Police Department denied any connection in a statement to ABC 24 Memphis. document.querySelector("#ads").addEventListener('click',function(){ That changed on May 5, 1993, when three second-grade boys were reported missing. Attempting to shelter from a storm, the two broke into a trailer and were charged with burglary and sexual misconduct. To understand the story of the West Memphis Three, it's important to remember the cultural atmosphere that was prevalent throughout America in the mid-1990s. It went too far, and because of that, he had to kill all three of them," he said. The documentary was filmed on 79 days over ten months up to the point of the West Memphis Three's conviction. The story will be familiar to many working-class American youths, with Echols' poverty and mental health struggles disconnecting him from society, writing that "As I grew older I learned to be ashamed of being poor, too. During part two of the documentary special, Ruff sat down with retired FBI Supervisory Agent Jim Clemente, who created a suspect profile to help narrow down the possible suspect pool. Taylor's presence suggests that at 4:30 p.m., Branch and Moore had not yet found their friend Byers. Was there a serial killer still on the loose in Arkansas? Classmates at Weaver Elementary School, the three were active in their Cub Scout troop and responsible enough to be trusted to roam their neighborhood without By Benjamin H. Smith Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three? Despite the alarming inconsistencies and recanting his confession, saying that he was fatigued, threatened and intimidated, police quickly arrested Echols and Baldwin. On Feb. 8, Misskelley claimed he had been drunk at the time of the killings and was drinking Evan Williams whiskey, claiming that he had thrown a bottle away under a bridge in West Memphis, swearing on the Bible as to the truth of his latest claims. Starting in the weeks that followed the killings, documentary filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky began to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case for their film "Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills," airing in June 1996 on HBO.
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