who killed the west memphis three who killed the west memphis three

The deals disappointed both those who still believed the three guilty and their supporters, with many feeling the bargain made them look guilty. Despite doubt over the way authorities handled the case, as well as a lack of substantial evidence, the West Memphis Three were found guilty. Attorney Patrick Benca, who represents defendant Damien Echols, wrote in a Wednesday statement that he located evidence from the case after being granted access to the police department through an Arkansas state court order, according to WREG. The DNA of these three children is likely in that evidence," said Lonnie Soury, a member of Damien Echols' legal team. Opinion remains divided on whether the right men were convicted or if the actual killers still walk the streets of West Memphis. Nevertheless, this is a complete delaying tactic," Soury explained. No matter who committed those terrible crimes at Robin Hood Hills, they still walk free 28 years later, and until the culprits are found, the case is far from over. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. They had a daughter together, Amanda Hobbs, who was 4 years old at the time of her brothers death. Stevie Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore. ga('ads.send', { When West Memphis teens Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr. were tried and convicted of the murders of three 8-year-old boys in 1994, many in the community felt confident that investigators had put the right men behind bars. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. 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. If the judge makes the decision to deny the state's request for dismissal, then Attorney General Tim Griffin will get a chance to respond to that decision. One such suspect was none other than Byers. They'd first come into contact almost precisely a year before Echols was arrested alongside his then-girlfriend Deanna Holcomb. Misskelley was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. Devastating Photos Of Hiroshima Before And After The Atomic Bombing That Changed History Forever, Jury Finds Man Guilty Of Teaching Pug Nazi Salute [VIDEO], What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch, black Americans are wrongfully convicted at a far greater rate, woman who was convicted for locking her deaf sister in a room for seven years. Morgan and Holland left town on May 10 and headed to Oceanside in California, their departure shocking many who knew them. 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. Then, after determining the boys final movements, Bob meets with a DNA expert to discuss new technology that might break the case wide open. Two of the boys' underwear, however, was missing. }); All Rights Reserved. With continuing advances in DNA testing, that day may finally be around the corner. It doesn't take much effort to get him to say or do anything at all.". 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 friends rode over to Bobby Posey's house, where they learned Christopher had been whipped by his adoptive father, John Mark Byers, and planned to run away. On the evening of May 5, 1993, three 8-year-old boys disappeared from the streets of West Memphis, Ark. Echols claimed that Pope's departure and the discovery of the evidence were connected. 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. They seem to me to be more practical ligatures, Clemente said. Judge David Burnett, the original trial judge, disallowed the presentation of the new information in his court in 2008, citing the DNA tests as inconclusive. He even said that he saw John Mark Byers assisting in the killings. This was a result of getting enraged, going too far, and then having to basically clean up the mess," he said. 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. Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley were accused of killing three eight-year-old boys: Chris Byers, Stevie Branch, and Michael Moore. Right on the border of Tennessee, West Memphis was a bible belt city unaccustomed to much publicity. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were best friends. So if the West Memphis Three aren't the real killers, who is? For the state, the Alford pleas were a face-saving exercise. Whether justice has been done in the case of the West Memphis Three depends on entirely who you ask. In addition to the offender being a male who had a relationship with one or more of the victims, Clemente thinks the suspect was from the neighborhood, theorizing that he hid the bodies in order to give himself enough time to establish an alibi. 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. A second hair found at the scene was consistent with his friend, David Jacoby. On one occasion after the killings at Robin Hood Hills, he had beaten Pamela so severely that she told the family that she thought her jaw was broken, prompting them to drive to the Hobbs home to confront him. But in the process, the West Memphis Three get blamed for the crime they didn't commit. How much of Echols reputation came down to his mental illness and how much teenage desire to shock is open to debate. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) A former Memphis Fire Department emergency medical technician told a Tennessee board Friday that officers impeded patient care by refusing to remove Tyre Nichols ' handcuffs, which would have allowed EMTs to check his vital signs after he was brutally beaten by police. 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. Misskelley was interrogated for 12 hours, of which less than an hour were recorded. "Even if he files within the right court, there is no body that's required under habeas corpus because he's released," said Attorney General Griffin. Jones, the assistant juvenile probation officer, was one of the chief voices pushing the line alongside his supervisor Jerry Blackwood Driver. In 2000, Berlinger and Sinofsky would produce "Paradise Lost 2: Revelations," a sequel to their 1996 film. It was just days before the trial of Echols and Baldwin. If you found this interesting, you might also want to read about the study that finds black Americans are wrongfully convicted at a far greater rate. Watch: Man connected to 'West Memphis Three' learns evidence connected to the case is missing By Dominique Dillon, FOX13memphis.com July 08, 2021 at 5:53 pm CDT WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. 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. 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. All three were charged and accused of committing a Satanic murder. if(document.querySelector("#google_image_div")){ Jul. 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. She also revealed that her ex-husband had once asked her sister point-blank if she suspected him in the killings. 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. YoutubeMugshots of the West Memphis Three. The gruesome nature of their deaths led both police and the community to theorize that there had been a satanic element involved something that wasn't too farfetched in the "Bible Belt, where Satanic Panic" was at its peak. On May 5, 1993, Branch was at home with his mother, Pamela Hobbs, and shortly after the end of school, Moore rode over on his bike and asked if his friend could take a ride with him. hitType: 'event', Before the case could again reach the courts, Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley were allowed to enter Alford plea deals. He was 62. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were best friends. March 3, 2023, at 3:19 p.m. Video Shows Memphis Jailers Beating Black Inmate Who Died. I believe there was an incident of over-disciplining one of the boys. Workers at the Bojangles restaurant just a mile from the crime scene reported that at 8:42 p.m., a Black male had entered the premises and went into the women's bathroom. 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. 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. Based on the new information, the three men asked for an Alford plea, in which the defendant maintains their innocence, but acknowledge that prosecutors have evidence to convict them. Watch: Man connected to 'West Memphis Three' learns evidence connected to the case is missing By Dominique Dillon, FOX13memphis.com July 08, 2021 at 5:53 pm CDT WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. All three were second-grade pupils at Weaver Elementary School, with Branch being an honor student. They drew pentagrams, skulls, and snakes on art materials and surprised those at a football game by arriving dressed in black with black tears painted on their faces. eventAction: 'view' Echols, 36, had been on death row, while Baldwin, 34, and Misskelley, 36, were serving life sentences. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), 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. Toggle dark mode Standing 6-feet-5-inches tall and weighing 238 pounds, Byers was an imposing and threatening presence. Echols, by most accounts, didn't even consider himself one. The following afternoon, the bodies of Steve Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were found by a muddy ditch. }); hitType: 'event', While the charges were expunged from his record, documents detailing them were found at the Crittenden County Court by journalist Mara Leveritt. The case for his guilt was put forward by Echols himself in Peter Jackson's 'West of Memphis.' To learn more about the case, watch The Forgotten West Memphis Three" now on Oxygen. 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. },false) The condition of the bodies led to the initial belief the three had been raped and then killed. 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. "But I didn't wear hats back then; my hair could have blown around anywhere.". Copyright 2023 Empire Media Group, Inc. Front Page Detectives is a registered trademark. hitType: 'event', 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. He suffered from "grandiose and persecutory delusions, auditory and visual hallucinations, disordered thought processes, substantial lack of insight, and chronic, incapacitating mood swings." During the filming, cameraman Doug Cooper would be given a folding hunting knife by John Mark Byers, Christopher Byers' stepfather. Benca and the West Memphis Police Department did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment. But in 2011, the West Memphis Three walked free. hitType: 'event', They allowed police and other workers to walk through the creek, trampling possible evidence such as footprints, and equally failed to drain the water quickly to preserve other evidence. 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. Neither Climer nor Bly would be considered competent witnesses at the eventual trial. He quickly retracted the statement, and police aren't believed to have considered them suspects any longer than the period of their arrest. 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). Advances in DNA testing allowed forensics to be utilized on hairs found at the scene, with none again matching for the three imprisoned men. 31 2021, Published 3:16 p.m. 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. Residents talked of strange smells in the woods, painted children, and even alleged to have seen a baby sacrificed. "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.". It became humiliating, something I'd do everything I could to hide from the rest of the world. There is a strong Christian identity, and crime is an issue, but the behavior of Echols, in particular, would have drawn comment everywhere. 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. Who killed Stevie 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. By Benjamin H. Smith Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three? document.querySelector("#ads").addEventListener('click',function(){ Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { 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. Meanwhile, patrons at the Blue Beacon, a truck wash close to the scene, all had their credit card receipts collected, and the first suspects brought in were transients, with information being sought about two "dirty-looking" hitchhikers. 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. }); My attorney was in the evidence room this morning and saw it with his own eyes. 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. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); 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. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function(event) { A few years later, he was facing charges relating to the use of terroristic threats, grand theft, and drug use. 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). When he was informed that the blood matched both his and Chris' blood type, he claimed he had no idea how the blood might have gotten on the knife before suggesting he might have left it out accidentally. WebSeason 1 Episode 1 Preview: Host and investigator Bob Ruff explores the flaws from the original ""West Memphis Three"" case to lay the groundwork for his evidence-driven investigation. The West Memphis Three had trials in 1994, with Echols and Baldwin tried together and Misskelley tried separately. 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. Local community members also rallied in support of the three, believing that their initial trial was unfair and handled incorrectly. VEGA, Texas (KFDA) - Two people were killed and two others were injured after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 west of Vega. ga('ads.send', { ga('ads.send', { ET. He has now resigned, and we know that none of the evidence was destroyed. It took 18 years, a deep probe into the criminal justice system, and the rallying of a Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley were accused of killing three eight-year-old boys: Chris Byers, Stevie Branch, and Michael Moore. There are significant issues with the confession, with his claims not aligning with the autopsy and crime scene evidence, seemingly changing his story depending on who he was talking with. In 1994, in what was widely believed to be a miscarriage of justice, three teens, 18-year-old Damien Echols, 17-year-old Jessie Misskelley Jr., and 16-year-old Jason Baldwin, were convicted in connection to the deaths of Christopher Byers, Michael Moore, and Steve Branch the previous year. However, Misskelley wouldn't only confess in that police interview room. 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. "We have no vested interest in trying to withhold any evidence from anyone on either side. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. gads_event = event; By Benjamin H. Smith Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three? The Brotherhood group he identified himself as being associated with had committed multiple homicides. It took them 18 years to clear their names. Then, after determining the boys final movements, Bob meets with a DNA expert to discuss new technology that might break the case wide open. VEGA, Texas (KFDA) - Two people were killed and two others were injured after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 west of Vega. WebThe West Memphis Three are three men convicted as teenagers in 1994 of the 1993 murders of three boys in West Memphis, Arkansas, United States. '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. 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. eventAction: 'load' 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. 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 . During the trial, Echols blew kisses to the victim's family, a sign taken by many as a sure sign of guilt. 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. After 18 years behind bars, they were freed. ga('ads.send', { Authorities figured Echols as a suspect because had shown an interest in occultism. "Chief Pope's resignation is completely unrelated to the West Memphis three rumors being sent out on social media," the statement reads. 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. He kept a calendar of the lunar cycle so he and Jones could patrol the county and check for covens. WebThe West Memphis Three were the first people in West Memphis, Arkansas who were accused of murdering the three young boys. Baldwin meanwhile has ambitions to become a lawyer and began work for a construction company, with Misskelley getting engaged to his high school girlfriend and training as a mechanic. Due to marital problems stemming from Stevies death, the couple divorced in 2004, reported CNN. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. Prosecutors argued that the three teenagers, with Echols as the lead, committed the murders as part of a satanic ritual. Damien Echols was sentenced to death, Jessie Misskelley Jr. to life imprisonment plus two 20-year sentences, and Jason Baldwin to life imprisonment. We are one of the worlds fastest growing It took them 18 years to clear their names. No semen was found at the scene, and there was no evidence of molestation. Byers had been a step-father to Christopher Byers, who along with his two eight-year-old friends Michael Moore and Steve Branch, had been killed in West Memphis on May 5, 1993, and whose murders remain unsolved to this day, almost three decades later. All three appealed the convictions. He said the evidence, which he claims city officials previously told him was lost, destroyed or missing, was found intact and organized. When West Memphis teens Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr. were tried and convicted of the murders of three 8-year-old boys in 1994, many in the community felt confident that investigators had put the right men behind bars. 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," retired FBI Supervisory Agent Jim Clemente saysin "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. Then, after determining the boys final movements, Bob meets with a DNA expert to discuss new technology that might break the case wide open. ET. MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of He was 62. 1:53 Digital Original Motivations For Investigating The West Memphis Case 1:05 Preview 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. Speaking about Echols to The New York Times in 1993, high school teacher Jim Ferguson said, "he's like some wacko cult member.". An investigation of the murders looked into several suspects, including the stepfather of Steve Branch as well as two teenage boys who had abruptly fled to California shortly after the bodies were discovered. 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. She also revealed Terry hadn't informed her that her son was missing until she finished work, having significant concerns over his whereabouts on those days. 1:53 Digital Original Motivations For Investigating The West Memphis Case 1:05 Preview 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. Despite the falsehoods in the testimony, Echols was pulled in for questioning two days after the bodies were discovered, denying any involvement. There is no mention of Santic overtones or symbolism in the early written reports by police, nor correspondence with the FBI. 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. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' By Benjamin H. Smith Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three? Back with the search, the main focus was Robin Hood Hills near where witnesses last saw the trio, and that morning Branch andMoore's bikes were found next to a pipe bridge that crossed the bayou. Ultimately, the judge will make a final ruling on whether to proceed. 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. 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. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. 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 Hutcheson was accused of settling from her employer and forced to bring her young son, Aaron Hutcheson, to the interview. }) } Attempting to shelter from a storm, the two broke into a trailer and were charged with burglary and sexual misconduct. Adding, "Then, uh, Jason pulled out a knife. Branch had 21 particular wounds, including a large gouge to the left side of his face, with Byers having 62 differing injuries. hitType: 'event', 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). }); But their innocence did leave investigators back at square one. The first of that evidence emerged during the filming of HBO's 1996 documentary on the case: 'Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills.'. While police initially suspected rape, there was no evidence for it. "He had to spend this time because if he didn't, he would get caught. 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. Subsequent interviews with Vicki Hutcheson were just as contradictory. Grandmother with dementia died from face wound neglected by staff for days. },false) Sign up for newsletter today. Goths, punks and skaters were in the ascendency, and Middle America was horrified. 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. The West Memphis Three were charged with the murder of three boys in 1994. let gads_event; The West Memphis Three were charged with the murder of three boys in 1994. The use of shoelaces had yet to be revealed to the public, yet Martin was eventually cleared of any involvement. } They would have been local and have a violent history, be familiar with the victims, and were engaging in a personal cause when they killed the boys. WebThe West Memphis Three were the first people in West Memphis, Arkansas who were accused of murdering the three young boys. However, during his time at the station, Aaron mentioned that his three friends had been killed at "the playhouse.". He took one of them I don't know which one cut him on I think it was on this side of his face.". 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.".