The discovery comes after West Memphis Police Chief Michael Pope resigned Tuesday. They still had the convictions, but the men would be free. How the three died wasn't the same, with Moore and Branch being killed by multiple injuries and then drowning, with Byers dying of blood loss and not being drowned. 1." He showed several old scars from prior injuries. Who Killed },false) Until 2007, when the discovery of new forensic evidence reopened the case and a new statute permitting post-conviction testing of DNA evidence came about. So if the West Memphis Three aren't the real killers, who is? West Memphis Three But in 2011, the West Memphis Three walked free. Misskelley was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. True crime: The tragedy of the West Memphis Three The Story Of The West Memphis Teens Wrongfully Imprisoned 18 Years For Satanic Murder. The plea deal was accepted. Due to marital problems stemming from Stevies death, the couple divorced in 2004, reported CNN. Based on the way the boys were tied up hands bound on either side of the body to the same side ankle Clemente theorized the suspect is somebody who works with animal carcasses, a butcher or a hunter., [T]he ligatures are not restraining ligatures. Example video title will go here for this video. Police almost immediately turned their attention to Baldwin, Echols and Misskelley and suspected them of killing the boys. March 3, 2023, at 3:19 p.m. Video Shows Memphis Jailers Beating Black Inmate Who Died. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. 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. However, once again, Misskelley claimed Baldwin pulled out a knife, despite the evidence presented by experts that no knife had ever been used. 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. Police detective Bryn Ridge would later testify he somehow lost the samples from Bojangles' wall. The deal is a plea whereby a defendant maintains their innocence but recognizes that the evidence presented would be enough to convict them. The three men spent nearly 17 years in prison before being released in 2012 after entering an Alford plea, pleading guilty while maintaining their innocence. 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. media-tech companies with hubs around the world. During the filming, Byers had given cameraman Doug Cooper a hunting knife which makers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky handed over to the police after discovering what appeared to be blood on it. 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 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. Furthermore, Clemente believes the assailant was a male in his 30s who is either biologically related to one or more of the victims, a family member, or a very close community member. In 2000, Berlinger and Sinofsky would produce "Paradise Lost 2: Revelations," a sequel to their 1996 film. There was a sense of disconnect from society amongst many young people, with the counter-culture that produced grunge giving way to the metal of Rob Zombie, Korn, Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails. The condition of the bodies led to the initial belief the three had been raped and then killed. After 18 years behind bars, they were freed. So, this tells me that this offender was someone they know," Clemente said. True crime: The tragedy of the West Memphis Three 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. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. "I want to live and to continue to fight for our innocence. However, during his time at the station, Aaron mentioned that his three friends had been killed at "the playhouse.". 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. 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. Both knew Misskelley from school but were hardly considered friends, Misskelley having a reputation for violence. Stating that he was "scared of the police," Misskelley confessed to murder. While the charges were expunged from his record, documents detailing them were found at the Crittenden County Court by journalist Mara Leveritt. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), 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. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. The autopsy in full is harrowing reading, with Moore receiving 63 specific wounds, including ten skull fractures. connection to West Memphis Three Every piece is still there https://t.co/8tzxOWjZLH, - Damien Echols (@damienechols) December 21, 2021. So if the West Memphis Three aren't the real killers, who is? This would give him no time to meet his Echols and Baldwin, get drunk as he claimed, and then kill three children in an extended attack in the woods. The truth is, the ongoing debate over whether Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley were guilty has often clouded the undoubted fact that justice remains elusive for the other West Memphis Three, Steve Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore. } The state of Arkansas was hoping to do like they do in so many other cases with poor people, with people who are powerless to defend themselves. Youtube Mugshots of the West Memphis Three. Serving as professor emeritus of sociology at the University of California, it was expert testimony. 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). Jessie Misskelley was given two 20 year-sentences on top of life imprisonment, while Jason Baldwin also received life imprisonment. This was a result of getting enraged, going too far, and then having to basically clean up the mess," he said. Steve Edward Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore were all good kids. The police contended the tapes couldn't confirm this, with interference masking conversations. All three achieved the rank of "Wolf," and Moore had his blue Boy Scouts of America shirt and Boy Scout hat on as he ventured out on his bicycle. He kept a calendar of the lunar cycle so he and Jones could patrol the county and check for covens. 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. 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. There was a sense of disconnect from society amongst many young people, with the counter-culture that produced grunge giving way to the metal In 1973, his parents had called the police to report that he was threatening them with a butcher knife. The Brotherhood group he identified himself as being associated with had committed multiple homicides. 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. gads_event = event; Byers claimed the knife had never even been used, changing his story to say he'd used it to cut deer meat after the presence of blood was found. 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. 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. Then, perhaps, the punishment went too far, and it resulted in the triple homicide. 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. Goths, punks and skaters were in the ascendency, and Middle America was horrified. 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. While they showed the bravado and sense of adventure associated with many scouts, they were still innocent, with Byers said by his mother to still "[believe] in the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus.". Byers had a long history of run-ins with the law and been accused of multiple violent crimes. Hutcheson was accused of settling from her employer and forced to bring her young son, Aaron Hutcheson, to the interview. The West Memphis Three were charged with the murder of three boys in 1994. 31 2021, Published 3:16 p.m. The West Memphis Three Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. of the West Memphis Three She also revealed that her ex-husband had once asked her sister point-blank if she suspected him in the killings. Entering a plea of not guilty, Richard Ofshe testified that Misskelley's confession had been a "classic example" of police coercion. West Memphis Three West Memphis Three Memphis The case for his guilt was put forward by Echols himself in Peter Jackson's 'West of Memphis.' pg.acq.push(function() { All three were charged and accused of committing a Satanic murder. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Attempting to shelter from a storm, the two broke into a trailer and were charged with burglary and sexual misconduct. Terry Hobbs, meanwhile, still believes in the guilt of the West Memphis Three, telling Memphis ABC affiliate WATN in 2019 that "I still believe in my heart that Jessie, Jason, and Damion Echols are responsible for what happened to our children.". However, police thought they had their culprits and were willing to ignore Ricky Climer and Avis Bly's severe mental illnesses. Echols' legal team has filed a response to the Attorney General's request, where they are asking the court to deny it. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), "He had to spend this time because if he didn't, he would get caught. Misskelley confessed during the interrogation but later took rescinded it, stating that he did it out our fear and intimidation. 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. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. connection to West Memphis Three West Memphis Three 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.
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