Written by: Anon DiVinci
In 1993 the case that has become known as The West Memphis Three, rocked the country. The bodies of three 8 year old boys; Steve Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were found unclothed, hog-tied and submerged in a creek, in a wooded area known as “Robin Hood Woods.” Three teenages; Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr, who many believe to be innocent of the crime, were charged, convicted and sentenced for the murders. Baldwin and Misskelley were sentenced to life without parole, while Echols was sentenced to death.
Due to what seemed like, mutilation to the bodies, police quickly determined that the murders were occult related, referring to them as “satanic” in nature. While a list of suspects was gathered, focus was quickly aimed at 18 year old Damien Echols. This happened after the police asked a local juvenile probation officer for a list teenager who he thinks may have occult ties. The probation officer compiled the list and took it upon himself to point the finger at Echols as the most likely suspect.
While there was no evidence to tie Echols to the crime, the police began compiling a list of people who knew Echols. One of these people was 17 year old Jessie Misskelley Jr. Misskelley was brought in for questioning. What followed is what some have called a travesty of the judicial system. Misskelley, considered to have a below average IQ and “border line mentally disabled,” told the police that he was unaware of the crime or who could have done it. The police continued to question Misskelley for hours until they received a confession. However, audio and transcripts of the confession make it very clear that while Misskelley was indeed confessing to the crime, he did not know any of the details of the crime. Some say the questions are leading and guiding Misskelley to the answers the police were looking for. Within the confession, Misskelley implicated not only Damien Echols but also 16 year old Jason Baldwin.
Misskelley was tried first and the prosecution used his confession to win the conviction. When Misskelley’s attorney questioned the officer on the stand, about the inconsistencies in the confession as well as the complete lack of knowledge Misskelley had about the crimes…The officer stated “Jessie just got confused.” Misskelley was sentenced to life without parole.
Both Echols and Baldwin were tried together in a separate trial. The prosecution made every attempt to get Misskelley to testify (including offering lower sentencing) against Echols and Baldwin, but Misskelley refused, stating that he refused to lie about them.
With nothing connecting any of the three to the crime, the prosecution presented Echols’ proposed religious beliefs, clothing style and books read by Echols as evidence. While they presented circumstantial evidence against Baldwin as well, he was primarily tied to the crime primarily by Misskelley’s false confession and his friendship with Echols. While the prosecution did bring in witnesses to testify against Echols and Baldwin, these witnesses later recanted with affidavits and admitted to lying. Baldwin received a life sentence and Echols received a sentence of death by lethal injection.
Over the course of 18 years, appeals were filed by the attorneys of all three. The appeals went to the desk of the original presiding judge and were denied each time. It is important to note as well, that during this time the injuries to the bodies that were initially believed to be mutilation, and were the deciding factor in why the police considered the murders to be “satanic,” were proven by expert pathologists to be post mortem animal predation. This means that while the bodies were lying in the water, animals began feeding on the bodies. Removing these injuries as “satanic mutilation” also removes the reasoning for which Echols was suspected in the first place.
After multiple denied appeals, the case went in front of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court made the decision that the trials were mishandled. They granted the appeal and permitted all evidence to be admissible. It was then presented to elected county prosecutor Scott Ellington. Ellington determined that even with all of the evidence admissible, there was not enough evidence or witnesses left to have a new trial. The option of a rare plea bargain, called an Alford Plea, was then presented as an option. An Alford Plea is a plea bargain that essentially allows the subject to maintain their innocence, while signing on paper that they are guilty, in exchange for freedom. What it also does is protects the state from a lawsuit for wrongful conviction.
During the ordeal and after the plea, there has been other compelling evidence that points to another suspect. The evidence includes DNA, eye witness affidavits, bite prints and quite a few others. The state of Arkansas however, refuses to the re-open the case to investigate this other suspect. While many opinions as to why this may be has circulated, the likely reasoning behind it is that it could nullify the Alford Plea and thus allow the three that were convicted, to sue. As Ellington implied in his own statement, “I have voters to think about,” meaning it’s likely political.
While this is a travesty all on its own, the real travesty is that there has been absolutely no justice for the three children that were murdered. Whoever the killer actually may be is walking free to this day.
My interest in this case partially stemmed from the fact that the description of Echols at 18 years old, closely matched my own. I can easily see myself being in his shoes, because I used to fit that exact profile. People thought the way I dressed in all black, was weird. I listened to the same music, and I even had a curiosity with religion and faith. I think we have all fit the “outcast” profile at one point or another.
On May 5, 2015, a rally for justice in this case is being held in Little Rock, Arkansas. Since it does not matter what side of the fence you are on, as the most important aspect of this is justice for the children, it is urged than any Anons in the area join this rally for justice.
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