West Memphis Three Cassara Wagner English 23 Dr

West Memphis Three Cassara Wagner English 23 Dr. Folk

BACKGR OUND • On May 4 th, 1993 three eight-year old boys were murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas • They were found in a section of the town called Robin Hood Hills • Damien Echols • capital murder, life in prison, death sentence • Jesse Misskelley • first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, forty years in prison • Jason Baldwin • capital murder, life in prison

INTRODUCTION There’s something about an unsolved murder that can pull someone right in. Were the suspects really guilty? The truth is, we may never know. All we have to go off of is theories; opinions of judges, jury members, family and friends of the victims, theorists, I could go on forever. Unless you were there to witness the investigation there's no telling what's write and wrong. Sure you could go online and search police files and read articles about the case but you'll never find out everything there is to know. there has been so many unsolved murder cases where someone may have been incarcerated and not even be guilty, or let free years later but are actually the killer. The west Memphis three is a great example of these type of cases. It is an ongoing investigation from 1993 where three teens were convicted for the murders of 3 young boys but were released in 2011. Did they really do it? If you asked me I'd tell you yes and here’s why…

THE VICTIMS Michael Moore Steve Branch Chris Byers THE SUSPECTS

• Three eight year old boys reported missing: Steve Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers. • Chris Byers' adoptive father, John Byers, was the first to call in his missing son. Followed by the other boys parents • Police start searching MAY 6 TH, 1993 MAY 5 TH, 1993 • • The boys bodies are discovered • Wrists bounded, mutilated Coroner pronounces them dead

***WARNING: Child Autopsy/Crime Scene Photos***

CRIME SCENE PHOTOS ***WARNING: Child Autopsy/Crime Scene Photos***

• • Polygraph proves involvement in murders Authorities request search warrants • • • homes of Jesse, Damien, and Jason The warrants are issued (9 P. M) Police arrest Damien, Jason, and Jesse (10 p. m. ) • charged with three counts of capital murder JUNE 4 TH, 1993 JUNE 3 RD, 1993 • Gitchell (Chief investigator) holds a press conference to announce the arrests • When Asked how confident he felt about the case, on a one-to-ten scale, Gitchell says, "Eleven. "

• A state judge appoints lawyers to represent Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley JUNE 7 TH, 1993 AUGUST 4 TH, 1993 • attend a pretrial hearing before Judge David Burnett in Marion, Arkansas. • Judge Burnett rules Misskelley should be tried separately • Due to his low IQ

MORE IMPORTANT DATES • November 10, 1993: • • Judge Burnett rules that Misskelley's trial will open in Corning, Arkansas in January Echols and Baldwin’s trials will take place in Jonesboro, beginning in February • November 17, 1993: • Divers to search a lake behind the trailer’s of Baldwin and Echols • find a nine-inch long knife with a serrated edge in water about 50 feet behind Jason's trailer • January 18, 1994: • Jury selection begins in the Misskelley trial

• A jury convicts Misskelley • one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder • sentenced to forty years in prison in • The Echols/Baldwin trial opens in Jonesboro, Arkansas • Jury selection begins Pine Bluff FEBRUARY 5, 1994 February 18 th, 1994 February 19 th, 1994 • • Misskelley changes his mind about testifying against Echols and Baldwin • MARCH 17 TH&18 TH , 1994 MARCH 17 TH : • JURY DELIBERATIONS BEGIN IN ECHOLS/BALDWIN TRIAL MARCH 18 TH : • JURY FINDS ECHOLS AND BALDWIN GUILTY OF CAPITAL MURDER

MORE IMPORTANT DATES • May 1994: • Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley appeal their convictions • December 23, 1996: • The Arkansas Supreme Court issues a decision upholding the convictions of Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin. • June 17, 1999: • Judge Burnett denies a petition for a new trial for Echols

MORE IMPORTANT DATES • February 2001: • Edward Mallett, attorney for Echols, files a writ of error coram nobis in the Arkansas Supreme Court • arguing that Echols should have never been tried in 1994 because of his mental condition at the time • 2002: • Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three, a book by Mara Leveritt, is published (also a movie)

MORE IMPORTANT DATES • October 2003: • In an interview, Vicki Hutcheson says that everything she told the police was a lie • 2007: • New evidence from is found • Terry Hobbs’s DNA found on knife • September 10, 2008: • Judge Burnett denies the request for a retrial • Reason: DNA evidence produced was inconclusive.

THEORIES IN W D L A B , Y E L L E K S IS M , S L TERRY HOBBS VS. ECHO

THEORY 1: ECHOLS, BALDWIN, MISSKELLEY • Many believe it was these three teenagers • Due to their satanic beliefs and cult activity • Witnesses say they saw Echols with muddy pants and bloody clothing • Knife was found behind Echols trailer **This is what I believe and will always stick with**

THEORY 2: TERRY HOBBS • He was the stepfather of one of the victims • His knife was found as the murder weapon • His hair was on the rope used • Neighbors say they saw him with the boys *I don’t believe in this theory for one main reason… * There is no way one person could control and murder these three boys

MY OPINION • Damion Echols, Jessie Misskelley, and Jason Baldwin committed the murders. • Involved with a satanic cult • Violent past • Enough people to control 3 boys • 100% not the stepfather Terry Hobbs • One person could not control three boys • Not capable of the murders • No violent past

THE RELEASE OF THE WEST MEMPHIS THREE • August 19, 2011: • Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley are released from custody • agreed to admit guilt on murder charges (while still maintaining their innocence) in exchange for their release without parole • Called an Alford plea

At a press conference after release from prison Damien Echols holding his book Life After Death next to Johnny Depp

CONCLUSION The families of the victims of this case deserve some justice and closure, just like all the other families who were victims of murder cases. The amount of unsolved cases in the United States is at 211, 000 since 1980 (Hargrove). That means that there are that many people out there who are still waiting for justice, there are people who have passed away not knowing what happened to their loved ones. How would you feel if this happened to you? It’s pretty clear who committed these murders but unfortunately the police don’t seem to agree. Others will have their own opinions about the killer(s) but even with the new evidence, I still believe that Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley are the murderers. They should have never been released from prison and don’t deserve to live their lives when the families of the victims are left hanging and questioning everything. Murder cases should never be put away and forgotten, after all the families will never forget. They NEED answers, we NEED answers.