It is hard to find any unbiased information on the West Memphis 3 and most people have strong opinions but it is easy to become passionate about the travesty of our so-called justice system, especially in relation to this case.

Damien Echols, Jesse Misskelley Jr., and Jason Baldwin –known as the West Memphis 3– were arrested in West Memphis, Arkansas June 3, 1993 for the assault, mutilation, and brutal murders of 3 children. The evidence that connected Damien Echols, Jesse Misskelley Jr., and Jason Baldwin to the murders was a love of Metallica, Stephen King, and black t-shirts. Oh and the worst part of it all *rolls eyes* Damien dyed his hair and was interested in Wicca. The case was actually a witch-hunt! They were no more than scapegoats for a small town community plagued by police corruption and Satanic panic. Seriously, there were no murder weapons, no evidence whatsoever linking them to the crime. Only small town mentality and that they were different, they stuck out like sore-thumbs in a town of good ol’ boys. They were arrested and convicted based on Jesse Misskelley Jr.’s (who is considered mentally handicapped and has an IQ of 72) confession during a 12 hour police interview, without counsel and without parental consent. Only 45 minutes of the police interrogation in which Jessie “confesses” (which he later unsuccessfully tried to recant) to being involved, alongside Damien and Jason, in the murders to West Memphis police was recorded.

There are many discrepancies in this case including much of Jesse’s confession. Wounds on the children thought to be bite marks did not match molds of the three’s teeth so they were assumed to be made with a serrated knife now have been decided to be caused by animals.

Damien, whom I have had the incredible fortune of receiving a letter from, sits in solitary confinement on death row waiting for lethal injection. Jason Baldwin was sentenced to life without parole. Jessie Misskelley got life plus 40 years.

Arkansas Circuit Court has turned down countless appeals, change of venue requests, etc. Thanks to technology and DNA testing that was not available 16 years ago, on August 10th Jessie Misskelley and Jason Baldwin began a hearing on their motion for a new trial based on ineffective counsel. Damien Echols is seeking a new trial in Arkansas Supreme Court based on new DNA and forensic evidence and juror misconduct. DNA tests found that no DNA taken from the crime scene matches Damien, Jason, or Jessie.

Enraged? Want to help? Sign the petition here, write letters, and visit wm3.org
(which redirects you here while the site is down for maintenance)
www.freewestmemphis3.org
Also you can get live updates at Twitter

[Image courtesy of WM3.org]