Echols unwisely began to tell the fanatical Driver tall tales about local cults and animal sacrifices when Driver became his parole officer, telling him that he followed Wicca. 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). 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. if(document.querySelector("#adunit")){ 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. The varying wounds included unrecognized bites, and possible stab wounds to his groin and castration, with some putting this down to animal predation. While the three, better known as the West Memphis Three, entered an Alford plea and are therefore not innocent in the eyes of the law, DNA evidence suggests someone else is responsible for the 1993 murders of James Michael Moore, Stephen Branch, and Christopher Byers. This is the world where fist meets face. Who killed Stevie Two of the boys' underwear, however, was missing. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. YoutubeMugshots of the West Memphis Three. I believe there was an incident of over-disciplining one of the boys. Indiana man accused of murdering motorist after accident in Illinois now facing charges in separate murder, Man shot, killed after crash on highway, suspect charged with murder, police say, Woman Started Firing At Pool Party, Killing One And Injuring Two, Police Say, Subscribe to Front Page Detectives Newsletter. No ritual paraphernalia or markings were found at the scene, and many in the police believed those responsible had been sexual predators or strangers from outside the town. ga('ads.send', { But in the process, the West Memphis Three get blamed for the crime they didn't commit. 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. They wanted to overwhelm us, convict us, condemn us and sweep us under the rug.". Meanwhile, police questioned Misskelley alone, despite the suspect only having an IQ of 72. Standing 6-feet-5-inches tall and weighing 238 pounds, Byers was an imposing and threatening presence. Steve Edward Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore were all good kids. "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.". Jessie Misskelley was given two 20 year-sentences on top of life imprisonment, while Jason Baldwin also received life imprisonment. That's mostly during the teenage years.". He was 62. These three would come to be known as the West Memphis Three. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ 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 Story Of The West Memphis Teens Wrongfully Imprisoned 18 Years For Satanic Murder. The assailant is also prone to violent outbursts, likely has a history of domestic violence, and places a high importance on punishment. All three were charged and accused of committing a Satanic murder. Byers had a long history of run-ins with the law and been accused of multiple violent crimes. The use of shoelaces had yet to be revealed to the public, yet Martin was eventually cleared of any involvement. Some believe the police immediately thought there was some level of occult involvement in the triple homicide, yet this isn't the case. media-tech companies with hubs around the world. All three were second-grade pupils at Weaver Elementary School, with Branch being an honor student. 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. WebThe West Memphis Three were the first people in West Memphis, Arkansas who were accused of murdering the three young boys. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were best friends. New evidence immediately began to come to light that cast even further doubts on the already shaky judgment and presented new and surprising suspects. 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. Then, after determining the boys final movements, Bob meets with a DNA expert to discuss new technology that might break the case wide open. While police initially suspected rape, there was no evidence for it. It took 18 years, a deep probe into the criminal justice system, and the rallying of a Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were best friends. He was 62. For the state, the Alford pleas were a face-saving exercise. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. pg.acq.push(function() { Equally, Pamela's sister Jo Lynn McCaughey saw Hobbs washing clothes, bed linens, and curtains from Steve's room around the time of the killings. All three pleaded innocent at the trial and maintained that innocence ever since. }); 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. March 3, 2023, at 3:19 p.m. Video Shows Memphis Jailers Beating Black Inmate Who Died. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); Neighbors would recall that the abuse suffered by the boy was horrific, describing the whippings as a regular occurrence. Jul. Despite doubt over the way authorities handled the case, as well as a lack of substantial evidence, the West Memphis Three were found guilty. Another story claimed Aaron saw a mass of "The Dragons," an alleged coven with five members, spoke Spanish and sang about Satan. Echols, 36, had been on death row, while Baldwin, 34, and Misskelley, 36, were serving life sentences. VEGA, Texas (KFDA) - Two people were killed and two others were injured after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 west of Vega. 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. In 1973, his parents had called the police to report that he was threatening them with a butcher knife. eventAction: 'render' They still had the convictions, but the men would be free. They were 17, 16, and 18 years old respectively. During questioning, Echols mentioned wounds to the genital that one of the victims suffered. Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three? WebDevil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three is a 2002 true crime book by Mara Leveritt, about the 1993 murders of three eight-year-old children and the subsequent trials of three teenagers charged with and convicted of the crimes.The names of the three teens convicted - Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley - would come to be After being told that she was questioning his involvement, Hobbs is alleged to have replied, "I could skin a man alive, I could cut him up.". They were mutilated and bruised, and their clothes were in the nearby creek. 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. One such suspect was none other than Byers. So, this tells me that this offender was someone they know," Clemente said. },false) }); ET. When three boys turn up murdered, a small town is desperate to find the killer. hitType: 'event', Example video title will go here for this video. Youtube Mugshots of the West Memphis Three. 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. Three teenage boys convicted of the 1993 murders of three boys in West Memphis, Arkansas, Thailand's 'most beautiful transgender woman' and husband wear $580K in attire at extravagant wedding, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; 'We are coming,' sheriff says, U.S. court won't require FAA to make airplane seat size, spacing rules, Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh's new mugshot revealed after double life sentence, Rebel Wilson says she was banned from Disneyland for 30 days for taking a bathroom selfie, SoCal in for cool start to weekend, but light rain makes brief return, CHONK: State champion quartet prepping for show this weekend, Opinion: Fix loophole that increases copay costs for prescription drugs, Ambulancia para pacientes "posedos" lleva psiclogos y exorcistas en Bolivia. Toggle dark mode 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. 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. The story will be familiar to many working-class American youths, with Echols' poverty and mental health struggles disconnecting him from society, writing that "As I grew older I learned to be ashamed of being poor, too. Working at the crime scene, police made a series of errors that would significantly impede the case. The DNA of these three children is likely in that evidence," said Lonnie Soury, a member of Damien Echols' legal team. 1." 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. I developed an overwhelming sense of being excluded from everything. He showed several old scars from prior injuries. 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. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. To prove his innocence, he agreed and passed a polygraph test during the filming of 'Paradise Lost 2: Revelations,' only for the documentary to throw doubts on the results by revealing he was under the influence of several psychoactive prescription medications that could have affected the test results. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { Police noted he knew at least one of the victims by name and was on vacation the week the murders took place. Adding that his client was "a mentally handicapped person who is quite suggestible. 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. The blade had blood on the hinge, and HBO ordered Berlinger and Sinofsky to hand the knife to West Memphis police. } 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. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. gads_event = event; Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley were accused of killing three eight-year-old boys: Chris Byers, Stevie Branch, and Michael Moore. Product was successfully added to your shopping cart. Never mentioned in the autopsy or at either trial, they didn't match for Echols, Misskelley or Baldwin. 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 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. When they didn't, the first phone call would be made to police not long afterward, John Mark Byers raising the alarm with police close to 8 p.m. Taylor's presence suggests that at 4:30 p.m., Branch and Moore had not yet found their friend Byers. There was a sense of disconnect from society amongst many young people, with the counter-culture that produced grunge giving way to the metal document.querySelector("#ads").addEventListener('click',function(){ Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. 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. On one occasion, she said she was with her son all day; on another that he left home around 4 p.m. Whose blood was on the knife was uncertain as it matched both Byers and the victim, both having the same HLA-DQ genotype. 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. 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 Despite the alarming inconsistencies and recanting his confession, saying that he was fatigued, threatened and intimidated, police quickly arrested Echols and Baldwin. ga('ads.send', { 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. How much of Echols reputation came down to his mental illness and how much teenage desire to shock is open to debate. 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. It was just days before the trial of Echols and Baldwin. 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. A roll of toilet paper was soaked through with blood. The truth is, the ongoing debate over whether Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley were guilty has often clouded the undoubted fact that justice remains elusive for the other West Memphis Three, Steve Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore. 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. Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley were accused of killing three eight-year-old boys: Chris Byers, Stevie Branch, and Michael Moore. Damien Echols was sentenced to death, Jessie Misskelley Jr. to life imprisonment plus two 20-year sentences, and Jason Baldwin to life imprisonment. 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. 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. 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. Talking with police and his lawyer present in the room, he would ignore advice from his counsel to remain silent and detailed how the West Memphis Three had abused and murdered the victims. 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. "He had to spend this time because if he didn't, he would get caught. Their trial, which included MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. Goths, punks and skaters were in the ascendency, and Middle America was horrified. What came after the arrest is quite well-documented. They wouldn't be alone, and witness after witness would state they had heard there was a Satanic cult in the area. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), At one point, he told locals he obtained superpowers from consuming human blood and was often seen to have sharpened his fingernails and drawn deliberately provocative tattoos on himself. Steve had taken this knife everywhere and was never without it, with Pamela believing the killer had stolen it when it wasn't found at the scene. Was there a serial killer still on the loose in Arkansas? Both knew Misskelley from school but were hardly considered friends, Misskelley having a reputation for violence. There was circumstantial evidence to suggest Byers knew more than he let on. 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. But, those were far from the only three suspects in the case. Serving as professor emeritus of sociology at the University of California, it was expert testimony. Jones, the assistant juvenile probation officer, was one of the chief voices pushing the line alongside his supervisor Jerry Blackwood Driver. However, during his time at the station, Aaron mentioned that his three friends had been killed at "the playhouse.". 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. March 3, 2023, at 3:19 p.m. Video Shows Memphis Jailers Beating Black Inmate Who Died. Advances in DNA testing allowed forensics to be utilized on hairs found at the scene, with none again matching for the three imprisoned men. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. In 2010, the West Memphis Three were granted to appear before the Arkansas Supreme Court based on the new DNA evidence and potential misconduct by the jury. "But I didn't wear hats back then; my hair could have blown around anywhere.". Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley were accused of killing three eight-year-old boys: Chris Byers, Stevie Branch, and Michael Moore. They did not kill my son.. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Then read about the woman who was convicted for locking her deaf sister in a room for seven years. Then, after determining the boys final movements, Bob meets with a DNA expert to discuss new technology that might break the case wide open. 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. Hobbs retrieved a .357 magnum pistol from his truck and shot Jackie Hicks, Pamela Hobbs' brother. "The chief of police was not truthful," Echols tweeted on Wednesday. The documentary was filmed on 79 days over ten months up to the point of the West Memphis Three's conviction. He also initially claimed Echols had choked one victim until he was told that none of the boys had been strangled. However, Misskelley wouldn't only confess in that police interview room. 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. Terry Hobbs and Pamela Hicks. }); The West Memphis Three were charged with the murder of three boys in 1994. A subsequent search quickly found the bodies of Branch, Byers and Who Is The Real Killer Behind The 'West Memphis Three' Murders? But in the process, the West Memphis Three get blamed for the crime they didn't commit. Speaking about Echols to The New York Times in 1993, high school teacher Jim Ferguson said, "he's like some wacko cult member.". When three boys turn up murdered, a small town is desperate to find the killer. Who, then, was responsible for the brutal murders and mutilations of three young children? 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. He said the evidence, which he claims city officials previously told him was lost, destroyed or missing, was found intact and organized. Right on the border of Tennessee, West Memphis was a bible belt city unaccustomed to much publicity. The men garnered national attention due to a series of documentaries and books that questioned their convictions as well as the vocal support of numerous celebrities. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were best friends. 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. 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. As the rumors increased throughout the community, a Salem-like air descended as names continued to be associated with the alleged cult. eventAction: 'click_ads' Their trial, which included 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. Both had histories of drug offenses, and Morgan claimed to police he suffered from memory loss and blackouts, stating he "might have" killed the three boys. The Story Of The West Memphis Teens Wrongfully Imprisoned 18 Years For Satanic Murder. The men garnered national attention due to a series of documentaries and books that questioned their convictions as well as the vocal support of numerous celebrities. ADVERTISEMENT One of those people would be Pamela Hobbs. 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.'. hitType: 'event', To learn more about the case, watch The Forgotten West Memphis Three" now on Oxygen. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office announced on Twitter that Byers had been killed in an accident on Chambers Road and Shakerag Road in the Millington area on Thursday evening and then died after he was transported to a local hospital. 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. hitType: 'event', In statements under oath, the three witnesses say that Michael Hobbs told them, "My uncle killed three boys in West Memphis." The elder Byers admitted he whipped Christopher with a belt shortly before he went missing. While his repeated confessions may seem incriminating, Lawyer Dan Stidman would say in a 1999 letter to the court that "Absolutely nothing Misskelley told the officers or prosecutors would ever be admissible against him.