if(document.querySelector("#adunit")){ 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. Benca said he hopes the evidence can be tested for DNA to help clear the name of his client, who along with Jason Baldwin and Jesse Misskelley Jr. was convicted of murder as a teenager in 1994. 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. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Terry Hobbs and Pamela Hicks. The West Memphis Three were charged with the murder of three boys in 1994. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ His behavior as it became apparent Echols, Misskelley, and Baldwin would be cleared of the murders, was questioned as well. Echols, 36, had been on death row, while Baldwin, 34, and Misskelley, 36, were serving life sentences. He took one of them I don't know which one cut him on I think it was on this side of his face.". There was a sense of disconnect from society amongst many young people, with the counter-culture that produced grunge giving way to the metal He has devoted himself to writing, music and art. 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. "I am innocent, as are Jason and Jessie, but I made this decision because I did not want to spend another day of my life behind those bars," Echols told the "Arkansas Times." They were mutilated and bruised, and their clothes were in the nearby creek. Stevie Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore. 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. "Lawyers have to follow the law and when you file in the wrong place that's not my fault," said Attorney General Griffin. }); Echols lawyer stated that new DNA evidence did not place him at the scene of the crime. So if the West Memphis Three aren't the real killers, who is? Residents talked of strange smells in the woods, painted children, and even alleged to have seen a baby sacrificed. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), 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. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), To learn more about the case, watch The Forgotten West Memphis Three" now on Oxygen. We are one of the worlds fastest growing Now, Attorney General Tim Griffin has requested the Arkansas Supreme Court to dismiss the case based on the fact that the petition was filed in Crittenden County but Echols was convicted in Craighead County. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { }); } }); 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. media-tech companies with hubs around the world. By Benjamin H. Smith Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three? March 3, 2023, at 3:19 p.m. Video Shows Memphis Jailers Beating Black Inmate Who Died. The chief of police was not truthful. March 3, 2023, at 3:19 p.m. Video Shows Memphis Jailers Beating Black Inmate Who Died. Yet, few could give details. That changed on May 5, 1993, when three second-grade boys were reported missing. A formal interview on May 9 led to further suspicion against the young man when he mentioned the damage to Byer's genitals, something seen as incriminating. Many pointed to the irony in that insult, since Byers himself was considered by many to be complicit in not just the boys' murder, and the death of his second wife as well, who had passed away three years after her son's killing. Writing in his future memoir, "Life After Death," Echols would say, "Down here in the deep, dark South we know and live with the real world. 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. 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. Advances in DNA testing allowed forensics to be utilized on hairs found at the scene, with none again matching for the three imprisoned men. A self-identified white supremacist and freemason, his personality and affiliations led many to suspect that he was the kind of man who may have been involved in the killings. 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. If some stranger who looked very threatening approached these three boys, I think the first reaction of these boys would be to run away, to look for help. 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. The assailant is also prone to violent outbursts, likely has a history of domestic violence, and places a high importance on punishment. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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. ga('ads.send', { They wanted to overwhelm us, convict us, condemn us and sweep us under the rug.". WebThe West Memphis Three were the first people in West Memphis, Arkansas who were accused of murdering the three young boys. But in the process, the West Memphis Three get blamed for the crime they didn't commit. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. }); Their trial, which included Now, the attorneys are responding in court. 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. This was a result of getting enraged, going too far, and then having to basically clean up the mess," he said. Kara Goldfarb is a writer living in New York City. However, Misskelley wouldn't only confess in that police interview room. He even said that he saw John Mark Byers assisting in the killings. Copyright 2023 Empire Media Group, Inc. Front Page Detectives is a registered trademark. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. 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. Prosecutors would only give up harassing Misskelley for his testimony when I threatened to hold a press conference and disclose their efforts to entice his testimony." One individual on the police radar was convicted pedophile James K. Martin. He failed to recognize where the crime scene actually was, mixed up the timeline and confused the victims. Then, after determining the boys final movements, Bob meets with a DNA expert to discuss new technology that might break the case wide open. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. Youtube Mugshots of the West Memphis Three. March 3, 2023, at 3:19 p.m. Video Shows Memphis Jailers Beating Black Inmate Who Died. Climber only named Misskelley, Baldwin and Echols. 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. 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. 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. 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. During one visit to the station, officers used photographs of Echols, Misskelley and Baldwin for dart practice, having made their minds up about their guilt long before their arrests. Into this misunderstanding step Damien Echols, 18, Jessie Misskelley Jr., 17, and Jason Baldwin, 16. 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. Product was successfully added to your shopping cart. He was 62. Due to marital problems stemming from Stevies death, the couple divorced in 2004, reported CNN. One such suspect was none other than Byers. 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 . When investigators found the boys bodies on May 6, 1993, they had been jammed into the muddy ground of the bayou, and their clothes had been submerged in the water with sticks. Police almost immediately turned their attention to Baldwin, Echols and Misskelley and suspected them of killing the boys. 31 2021, Published 3:16 p.m. 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. And while both Michael and Steve had bruises across their body, Christopher had suffered the most gruesome injuries and had lacerations to various parts of his body, and mutilation to his scrotum and penis. She described a cult meeting involving Echols, Misskelley and about eight other youths. They had a daughter together, Amanda Hobbs, who was 4 years old at the time of her brothers death. eventAction: 'click_ads' 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 Speaking about Echols to The New York Times in 1993, high school teacher Jim Ferguson said, "he's like some wacko cult member.". Suspicion toward John Mark Byers would only increase when the bite marks on Steve Branch's forehead were discovered. 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. But what is the purpose of that? 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 boys were naked and tied up by their shoelaces. Adding, "Then, uh, Jason pulled out a knife. They wouldn't be alone, and witness after witness would state they had heard there was a Satanic cult in the area. Meeting with Echols, Hutcheson reported that nothing incriminating was said. ga('ads.send', { However, the day afterward, Hutcheson would tell police that she, Echols and Misskelley had all attended a Wicca meeting in Turrell, Arkansas, where Echols became drunk and started to loudly brag about having committed the killings of Branch, Byers and Moore. "The chief of police was not truthful," Echols tweeted on Wednesday. }); Due to marital problems stemming from Stevies death, the couple divorced in 2004, reported CNN. With John Mark Byers ruled out, revelations in 2007 would point in a new direction equally close to home. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! It went too far, and because of that, he had to kill all three of them," he said. 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. John Mark Byers was the stepdad of one of the victims and said before the hearing, Theyre innocent. 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). Taylor's presence suggests that at 4:30 p.m., Branch and Moore had not yet found their friend Byers. In statements under oath, the three witnesses say that Michael Hobbs told them, "My uncle killed three boys in West Memphis." Echols, 36, had been on death row, while Baldwin, 34, and Misskelley, 36, were serving life sentences. },false) 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. A subsequent search quickly found the bodies of Branch, Byers and All three spent most of their days as any other mid-1990s teenagers - listening to rock music, watching pro wrestling on television, and either poking around under the hood of a car or simply hanging out and causing trouble. All three would be happy to talk, with Bly saying that Misskelley was the leader of a Satanic cult that also involved Baldwin, Echols, his girlfriend Domini Teer, and others 20 in all. He kept a calendar of the lunar cycle so he and Jones could patrol the county and check for covens. He again repeated the incorrect police suspicion that Echols had sexually violated one of the boys, claiming this time his friend had ejaculated on the victim's trousers. Toggle dark mode The following morning, May 6, a far more thorough search throughout West Memphis began, Crittenden County Search and Rescue personnel leading the effort, including the use of a helicopter. She would state that her son had strangely said "I love you, mom" repeatedly on the way home from school on the day he vanished. So if the West Memphis Three aren't the real killers, who is? 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. However, police thought they had their culprits and were willing to ignore Ricky Climer and Avis Bly's severe mental illnesses. 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. If the offender came across the boys as they were doing something wrong or misbehaving, it would have been even easier to control and reprimand them, said Clemente. During the weeks that followed, law enforcement would only state that Echols was a source of information, not officially designating him a suspect despite looking at him more than anyone else. In statements under oath, the three witnesses say that Michael Hobbs told them, "My uncle killed three boys in West Memphis." Over the years, however, the West Memphis Three continued to maintain their innocence, claiming they had nothing to do with the slayings of Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers, who were each found nude, hogtied, and mutilated in a bayou. 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. VEGA, Texas (KFDA) - Two people were killed and two others were injured after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 west of Vega. 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. 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. 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. Like John Mark Byers, Hobbs was a wifebeater. Local community members also rallied in support of the three, believing that their initial trial was unfair and handled incorrectly. Who killed Stevie 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. Soon after, witness, Narlene Hollingsworth, reported she saw three boys riding bikes, almost hitting one when he rode out in front of her car. Candy-Land idealism is quietly suffocated in the relentless humidity. Toggle dark mode 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. Pamela Hobbs gave numerous interviews to the press where she spoke about the knife, the DNA, and the events of May 5 and 6, 1994. But, those were far from the only three suspects in the case. Then, after determining the boys final movements, Bob meets with a DNA expert to discuss new technology that might break the case wide open. 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). eventAction: 'load' 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. He also theorized that the killer knew the victims because he was able to control three victims without any help.. It was a fact, leading investigators to believe he had inside knowledge of the case. But in the process, the West Memphis Three get blamed for the crime they didn't commit. 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. 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.". 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.'. A prime example of the issues with the confession was that Misskelley was giving false information that was believed accurate by police at the time, stating that he saw Echols and Baldwin go into the woods with the three boys and rape them. 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. }); They had a daughter together, Amanda Hobbs, who was 4 years old at the time of her brothers death. All three were convicted, not based on evidence but by a "twisted portrayal of their character", given sentences varying from death to life in prison, and then eventually exonerated following the advent of improved DNA technology. Yet, while Arkansas certainly has problems seen throughout the South, such as poor wages, West Memphis was then a city of 30,000 with a wide variety of cultures. }); 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. In statements under oath, the three witnesses say that Michael Hobbs told them, "My uncle killed three boys in West Memphis." Two of the boys' underwear, however, was missing. All three pleaded innocent at the trial and maintained that innocence ever since. Their trial, which included He tried to fight back and showed defensive injuries. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. It took them 18 years to clear their names. Their clothing was found in the same creek, and some of it had been twisted around sticks that had been fixed into the muddy ditch bed. Despite the falsehoods in the testimony, Echols was pulled in for questioning two days after the bodies were discovered, denying any involvement. Moore was the group leader and, like his best friends, a proud cub scout, wearing his uniform even when not at meetings. It took 18 years, a deep probe into the criminal justice system, and the rallying of a Sign up for newsletter today. Who killed Stevie However, Aaron's story constantly changed, saying on one occasion he saw a victim bundled into a car by a Black man and on another stated that he witnessed the killings but didn't know who the killers were. Police on the case felt that there were cult-like and satanic overtones to the murders. Aaron was restless, and Bray was unable to properly administer the polygraph. They did not kill my son.. and "Do you know who killed those three boys?". The three would be confirmed to be together between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., with the boys spotted headed toward Robin Hood Hills; Terry Hobbs, Branch's stepfather, calling out for them to return. The Story Of The West Memphis Teens Wrongfully Imprisoned 18 Years For Satanic Murder. Equally, Wiccans reject their beliefs are a form of Satanism, with the movement being closer to Neo-Paganism and nature religions and almost exclusively pacifistic in nature. He was 62. Meanwhile, Byers himself had a long history of drug use and violent criminal behavior, including domestic violence and threats to kill. Well, it minimizes the package a little bit and makes it easier to control after they're dead.. The West Memphis Three had trials in 1994, with Echols and Baldwin tried together and Misskelley tried separately. 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. The documentary was filmed on 79 days over ten months up to the point of the West Memphis Three's conviction. How much of Echols reputation came down to his mental illness and how much teenage desire to shock is open to debate. There was a sense of disconnect from society amongst many young people, with the counter-culture that produced grunge giving way to the metal The discovery comes after West Memphis Police Chief Michael Pope resigned Tuesday. 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. 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. He explained that the particular petition they filed is not up for interpretation and ultimately is not within their rights. "But I didn't wear hats back then; my hair could have blown around anywhere.". 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. Moore. It was rumor and innuendo, overheard gossip and allegations. Branch and Moores bikes were discovered on either side of a pipe bridge not far from the crime scene. window.adsContainer = {"positionAfterTitle":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position2":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position3":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Below_Next_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position4":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position5":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle1_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position6":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle2_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position7":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle3_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position8":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle4_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position9":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position10":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle6_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position11":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle7_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position12":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle8_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position13":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle9_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position14":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle10_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position15":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle11_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position16":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle12_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"positionTop":{"code":"Article_Desktop_970x250_Header_Rel","isOrganicUserAd":false,"max_width":970,"max_height":250},"positionBottom":{"code":"Article_Desktop_Sidebar_Bottom_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":300,"max_height":600},"positionBottomRight":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280}} Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were best friends. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { Therefore, Misskelley had to be tried alone. Both Echols and Misskelley had dropped out of high school, while Baldwin continued to achieve high grades, making the pair something of an odd couple, known for their involvement in petty crimes such as vandalism. Despite the alarming inconsistencies and recanting his confession, saying that he was fatigued, threatened and intimidated, police quickly arrested Echols and Baldwin. The elder Byers admitted he whipped Christopher with a belt shortly before he went missing. The new documentary focused on the bite marks, with the prosecution arguing that the marking seen on Christopher Byers' face in photographs is from a belt buckle and not teeth. Another story claimed Aaron saw a mass of "The Dragons," an alleged coven with five members, spoke Spanish and sang about Satan. 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