The West Memphis Three is the name given to three men who were convicted in 1994 of the murder of three young boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. The men, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr., were teenagers at the time of the murders and were known in the community for being outsiders and having an interest in alternative music and culture.
The case became infamous for its controversial aspects, including allegations of coerced confessions, questionable evidence, and a rushed trial. Many people, including celebrities and activists, believed that the men were wrongfully convicted and campaigned for their release.
The West Memphis Three were finally released from prison in 2011 after years of court battles and appeals thanks to an unusual plea bargain in which they maintained their innocence but admitted that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to convict them. The case has been covered extensively in documentaries, books, and articles, and debates continue to rage about it both domestically and internationally.
Since their release from prison, they have continued to maintain their innocence and work to clear their names. They have also become advocates for criminal justice reform and have spoken out about the flaws in the justice system that led to their wrongful convictions.
In 2018, new DNA evidence was introduced in the case that pointed to a possible suspect, Terry Hobbs, who was the stepfather of one of the victims. However, Hobbs has denied any involvement in the murders and no charges have been filed against him.
The case has also had a lasting impact on the families of the victims and the community of West Memphis. Some people in the community still believe that the West Memphis Three are guilty and that justice has not been served. Others believe that the true killer or killers have never been brought to justice.
In 2020, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that new DNA evidence could be tested in the case. This was seen as a potential breakthrough that could finally lead to a definitive answer about who was responsible for the murders.
The DNA testing was conducted in 2021, and the results were inconclusive. The testing did not definitively link any of the suspects or potential suspects to the crime scene. However, the testing did reveal that some of the evidence collected at the crime scene did not match any of the West Memphis Three, raising further questions about their guilt.
Despite the results being inconclusive, the case continues to be discussed and of interest, and many people continue to support the West Memphis Three and call for justice for the victims and their families. Additionally, the case has sparked more extensive discussions about the use of DNA evidence in criminal investigations and the risk of incorrect convictions.
The West Memphis Three case is a complicated and divisive one that poses significant issues with the criminal justice system as well as the influence of the media and public opinion on legal proceedings.
20 years
Its been almost 20 years since the murder of three young boys, Steve Branch, Christopher Byers, and Michael Moore in West Memphis Arkansas in 1993 and the trial that would be from local to national headlines soon after. With Hollywood and many others having opinions on either side.
New access to the evidence against the three teenage boys at the time may see light. This evidence has not been tampered with new reports say and could shine light or a new perspective on the case. Echol’s one of the defendants says his attorney has gotten access to the evidence and see it with his one eyes and feels there may be some of the evidence that could be enough to exonerate the three teen boys now adults for the violent murder that happened in 1993 in West Memphis Arkansas.
The West Memphis Three, as they have been famously named, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley, have served time in prison for the murder that news reports from the area said seemed like Satanic rituals. At this point, they are going to get new DNA test run on the evidence before any other information is released according to WMC TV.