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. The bodies of the three boys had been found in Robin Hood Hills, a stretch of forested land in the city that was popular with children and where Christopher, Michael and Steve were last seen together. So if the West Memphis Three aren't the real killers, who is? Damien Echols was sentenced to death, Jessie Misskelley Jr. to life imprisonment plus two 20-year sentences, and Jason Baldwin to life imprisonment. Byers submitted dental records that showed the marks on the body didn't match his original teeth and subsequently passed a polygraph during the documentary's filming. Advances in DNA testing allowed forensics to be utilized on hairs found at the scene, with none again matching for the three imprisoned men. Into this misunderstanding step Damien Echols, 18, Jessie Misskelley Jr., 17, and Jason Baldwin, 16. However, police thought they had their culprits and were willing to ignore Ricky Climer and Avis Bly's severe mental illnesses. He quickly retracted the statement, and police aren't believed to have considered them suspects any longer than the period of their arrest. All three were convicted, not based on evidence but by a "twisted portrayal of their character", given sentences varying from death to life in prison, and then eventually exonerated following the advent of improved DNA technology. However, the matter was sent to appeal, and Burnett was elected to the Arkansas State Senate, with his replacement being David Laser. One of the few pieces of forensic evidence recovered at the scene was a hair belonging to a Black male found on a sheet that had been used to wrap one of the victims. Local community members also rallied in support of the three, believing that their initial trial was unfair and handled incorrectly. 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.Attorney Patrick Benca, who represents Meanwhile, police questioned Misskelley alone, despite the suspect only having an IQ of 72. One such suspect was none other than Byers. ", '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 The deals disappointed both those who still believed the three guilty and their supporters, with many feeling the bargain made them look guilty. The following afternoon, the bodies of Steve Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were found by a muddy ditch. The police were called, but he had left by the time they arrived, and nobody from law enforcement entered the bathroom until the next day after the discovery of the bodies. One of the charges of making terroristic threats was connected to a domestic dispute between him and his first wife, Sandra Byers, who accused him of threatening her life and assaulting her with an electronic stunning device. So, this tells me that this offender was someone they know," Clemente said. The West Memphis Three were charged with the murder of three boys in 1994. 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). Meeting with Echols, Hutcheson reported that nothing incriminating was said. Baldwin got life behind bars, and Echols was sentenced to death by lethal injection. 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. The time spent to conceal them could have been skipped completely if there was no known relationship to the victims, Clemente told Ruff. No ritual paraphernalia or markings were found at the scene, and many in the police believed those responsible had been sexual predators or strangers from outside the town. It took 18 years, a deep probe into the criminal justice system, and the rallying of a town. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Prosecutors would only give up harassing Misskelley for his testimony when I threatened to hold a press conference and disclose their efforts to entice his testimony." All three appealed the convictions. 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. Moore was the group leader and, like his best friends, a proud cub scout, wearing his uniform even when not at meetings. } "We are planning to move ahead and test this evidence using the latest DNA technology available to hopefully identify the real killer(s) of the three children in 1993, and exonerate Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jesse Misskelley.". Here's when clocks will 'spring forward' in 2023, Arkansas Supreme Court chief justice announces departure from WM3 case, West Memphis Three continue fight to get DNA tested. "We are pleased that the evidence is intact," Benca said, according to WREG. When three boys turn up murdered, a small town is desperate to find the killer. The condition of the bodies led to the initial belief the three had been raped and then killed. They were mutilated and bruised, and their clothes were in the nearby creek. Toggle dark mode 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. hitType: 'event', Yet Misskelley kept talking, confessing again on Feb. 4. Damien Echols was sentenced to death, Jessie Misskelley Jr. to life imprisonment plus two 20-year sentences, and Jason Baldwin to life imprisonment. ga('ads.send', { ADVERTISEMENT New evidence immediately began to come to light that cast even further doubts on the already shaky judgment and presented new and surprising suspects. Then read about the woman who was convicted for locking her deaf sister in a room for seven years. Toggle dark mode They were 17, 16, and 18 years old respectively. ga('ads.send', { WebThe West Memphis Three were the first people in West Memphis, Arkansas who were accused of murdering the three young boys. 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. 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. Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three? 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. The West Memphis Three had trials in 1994, with Echols and Baldwin tried together and Misskelley tried separately. Autopsies revealed that Byers died of multiple injuries, while the other two boys died of multiple injuries with drowning. However, it wasn't just about the music with many embracing rebellious philosophies that were inherently offensive to the traditions of Christianity, respect and patriotism that have always defined small-town rural America. ET. All three spent most of their days as any other mid-1990s teenagers - listening to rock music, watching pro wrestling on television, and either poking around under the hood of a car or simply hanging out and causing trouble. Sign up for newsletter today. Prosecutors in the case argued that Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley had killed three boys the prior year as part of Satanic rituals. hitType: 'event', Benca said he hopes the evidence can be tested for DNA to help clear the name of his client, who along with Jason Baldwin and Jesse Misskelley Jr. was convicted of murder as a teenager in 1994. After 18 years behind bars, they were freed. The West Memphis Three were charged with the murder of three boys in 1994. He has devoted himself to writing, music and art. They'd first come into contact almost precisely a year before Echols was arrested alongside his then-girlfriend Deanna Holcomb. But it seemed the story for the West Memphis Three was over. A new round of DNA testing later showed no genetic material linked the men to the crime scene evidence, and they were released from prison in 2011 after agreeing to an Alford plea. He admitted the crime on June 3, June 11 and Aug. 19 and implicated others. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. What came after the arrest is quite well-documented. It wouldn't be the only evidence that linked Hobbs to the murders, with his wife Pamela finding a knife that her son had carried with him in her husband's nightstand. MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. But in the process, the West Memphis Three get blamed for the crime they didn't commit. All three were charged and accused of committing a Satanic murder. }) When three boys turn up murdered, a small town is desperate to find the killer. media-tech companies with hubs around the world. 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 still had the convictions, but the men would be free. Undertaking a polygraph, Martin seemingly showed deception when asked, "Do you know what was used to tie up those three boys?" There was a sense of disconnect from society amongst many young people, with the counter-culture that produced grunge giving way to the metal Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. Working at the crime scene, police made a series of errors that would significantly impede the case. However, during his time at the station, Aaron mentioned that his three friends had been killed at "the playhouse.". Who Is The Real Killer Behind The 'West Memphis Three' Murders? window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ A second hair found at the scene was consistent with his friend, David Jacoby. Soon after, witness, Narlene Hollingsworth, reported she saw three boys riding bikes, almost hitting one when he rode out in front of her car. If the offender came across the boys as they were doing something wrong or misbehaving, it would have been even easier to control and reprimand them, said Clemente. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Echols and Baldwin were best friends and shared a profound distaste for Bible Belt life in West Memphis, Arkansas and were drawn toward the rebellion of metal music and associated books and movies. Subsequent interviews with Vicki Hutcheson were just as contradictory. Despite doubt over the way authorities handled the case, as well as a lack of substantial evidence, the West Memphis Three were found guilty. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function(event) { 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. 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. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. He kept a calendar of the lunar cycle so he and Jones could patrol the county and check for covens. 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. 'West Memphis Three' case: John Byers, suspect and stepfather of one of the slain boys, dies in car crash. 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. Meanwhile, at the Marion Police Department, Detective Don Bray was attempting to administer a polygraph test to Vicki Hutcheson, who had recently moved to the city. Morgan and Holland left town on May 10 and headed to Oceanside in California, their departure shocking many who knew them. He was called a 'baby killer.'. While he remained immature, he was on an early road to adulthood as he worked part-time as a roofer and expecting a baby with his girlfriend, Domini Teer. The discovery comes after West Memphis Police Chief Michael Pope resigned Tuesday. Like John Mark Byers, Hobbs was a wifebeater. 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 The Forgotten West Memphis Three, streaming now on Oxygen. }); Echols' legal team has filed a response to the Attorney General's request, where they are asking the court to deny it. 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. ADVERTISEMENT One individual on the police radar was convicted pedophile James K. Martin. Echols, one of the West Memphis Three, and his legal team have hit another obstacle as they try to get the court's permission to test newly found evidence for DNA. Who Is The Real Killer Behind The 'West Memphis Three' Murders? 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. Opinion remains divided on whether the right men were convicted or if the actual killers still walk the streets of West Memphis. If some stranger who looked very threatening approached these three boys, I think the first reaction of these boys would be to run away, to look for help. Driver was the kind of individual who saw Satanism in every corner, blaming campfires, dead animal carcasses and pentagram graffiti on the dark arts. The child claimed they were committed by Spanish-speaking Satanists. if(document.querySelector("#adunit")){ On May 5, 1993, that trouble for Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley, seemed to have got indescribably more severe. The alert was assigned to Officer Regenia Meek, who filled out reports and, with Officer John Moore, did a brief search, but nothing more expansive. However, it wouldn't only be many of the victims' families who were dissatisfied, with former FBI criminal profiler John E. Douglas saying the killings were likely the work of one individual whose intent was to degrade the victims. 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. Police detective Bryn Ridge would later testify he somehow lost the samples from Bojangles' wall. The new documentary focused on the bite marks, with the prosecution arguing that the marking seen on Christopher Byers' face in photographs is from a belt buckle and not teeth. 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. After 3 years of fighting to get new evidence tested for DNA, the state says the WM3 petition should be tossed out and now, the attorneys are responding in court. eventAction: 'click_ads' It was a fact, leading investigators to believe he had inside knowledge of the case. The inherent belief in that line of thought eventually led to the arrest of 18-year-old Damien Echols, 17-year-old Jessie Misskelley Jr., and 16-year-old Jason Baldwin, three out-of-sorts teens who became popularly known as "The West Memphis Three.". 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 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. 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 . The Story Of The West Memphis Teens Wrongfully Imprisoned 18 Years For Satanic Murder. While Morgan, Holland and "Mr. Bojangles" already seem to have more against them than Echols, the police were now focusing solely on the one angle and one suspect, getting Vicki Hutcheson to agree to have her home wired. 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. }); Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Candy-Land idealism is quietly suffocated in the relentless humidity. }); There was a sense of disconnect from society amongst many young people, with the counter-culture that produced grunge giving way to the metal By Benjamin H. Smith Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three?