who killed the west memphis three

The Brotherhood group he identified himself as being associated with had committed multiple homicides. It went too far, and because of that, he had to kill all three of them," he said. "I want to live and to continue to fight for our innocence. Echols interest in the occult as an outlet led him to Wicca, and he was a reader of Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey and English occultist Aleister Crowley. Never mentioned in the autopsy or at either trial, they didn't match for Echols, Misskelley or Baldwin. ga('ads.send', { 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. He had an extensive collection of animal skulls, including dogs and cats and local rumors said that he had killed a dog, while no evidence was ever provided. Attorney General Griffin expects Echols' legal team to refile in Craighead County, but he said that it won't make a difference in the long run. This is the world where fist meets face. 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. Now, the attorneys are responding in court. His mother told him to be home by 4:45 p.m., and the two set off around 3:40 p.m. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were best friends. YoutubeMugshots of the West Memphis Three. 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. }); 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. 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. All three appealed the convictions. 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. Byers had a long history of run-ins with the law and been accused of multiple violent crimes. All three boys were naked and hogtied using their shoelaces, each ankle tied with a wrist behind their backs. Interested, police arrested both of them on May 17, placing them under a polygraph which indicated they were deceptive when denying involvement in the killings. Eventually, three local teenagers, Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley, and Jason Baldwin, were zeroed in on as the prime suspects. "We have no vested interest in trying to withhold any evidence from anyone on either side. Yet Misskelley kept talking, confessing again on Feb. 4. }); By Benjamin H. Smith Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three? Goths, punks and skaters were in the ascendency, and Middle America was horrified. On the evening of May 5, 1993, three 8-year-old boys disappeared from the streets of West Memphis, Ark. They would have been local and have a violent history, be familiar with the victims, and were engaging in a personal cause when they killed the boys. Having once been adamant on the West Memphis Three's guilt, he accepted their innocence and, instead, pointed the finger at Terry Hobbs, Steve's stepfather. Echols claimed that Pope's departure and the discovery of the evidence were connected. Meanwhile, police questioned Misskelley alone, despite the suspect only having an IQ of 72. The case for his guilt was put forward by Echols himself in Peter Jackson's 'West of Memphis.' A few years later, he was facing charges relating to the use of terroristic threats, grand theft, and drug use. 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. Friends and family tried in vain to find the missing boys. eventAction: 'click_adunit' By Benjamin H. Smith Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three? Martin molested both of his stepchildren a son and a daughter over four years, serving just three years in the Colorado State Penitentiary. 31 2021, Published 3:16 p.m. His prior history of domestic violence didn't reflect well either. let gads_event; hitType: 'event', The documentary was filmed on 79 days over ten months up to the point of the West Memphis Three's conviction. Authorities figured Echols as a suspect because had shown an interest in occultism. One of those people would be Pamela Hobbs. Adding, "Then, uh, Jason pulled out a knife. 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 . 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. 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. 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 hitType: 'event', When three boys turn up murdered, a small town is desperate to find the killer. One individual on the police radar was convicted pedophile James K. Martin. During questioning, Echols mentioned wounds to the genital that one of the victims suffered. 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. 'Feels Like Home:' electrical failure from a light fixture caused December fire that killed 1, Shelby County reporting an increase in drug-related overdoses, largely due to fentanyl, Severe weather threat is over | Prepare for a sunny weekend, Daylight saving time starts soon. 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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. 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. The use of shoelaces had yet to be revealed to the public, yet Martin was eventually cleared of any involvement. Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley were accused of killing three eight-year-old boys: Chris Byers, Stevie Branch, and Michael Moore. Both knew Misskelley from school but were hardly considered friends, Misskelley having a reputation for violence. Baldwin got life behind bars, and Echols was sentenced to death by lethal injection. Who Is The Real Killer Behind The 'West Memphis Three' Murders? 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. Soon after, witness, Narlene Hollingsworth, reported she saw three boys riding bikes, almost hitting one when he rode out in front of her car. 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). He even said that he saw John Mark Byers assisting in the killings. Well, it minimizes the package a little bit and makes it easier to control after they're dead.. A popular perception is that in New York or Los Angeles, is the lifestyles of the West Memphis Three wouldn't have drawn comment, but in Arkansas, it was a different story. West Memphis police brought Terry Hobbs in for questioning in June 2007, and coverage soon led to a widespread examination of the original verdict, with Hobbs even telling police that some of his relatives suspected him in the killings. Attorney Patrick Benca, who represents defendant Damien Echols, wrote in a Wednesday statement that he located evidence from the case after being granted access to the police department through an Arkansas state court order, according to WREG. 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', { Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. From the murder of Shanda Sharer to the Columbine massacre, there was little that wasn't blamed on this new devilish culture. Steve Edward Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore were all good kids. Everywhere you look, you see people with things that you do not have, and it has a profound mental effect. 'West Memphis Three' case: John Byers, suspect and stepfather of one of the slain boys, dies in car crash. The chief of police was not truthful. Their trial, which included Nine days later, Misskelley would confess again. A roll of toilet paper was soaked through with blood. 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. They were released on Aug. 19, 2011. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Before the case could again reach the courts, Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley were allowed to enter Alford plea deals. },false) People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 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. 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. Based on the way the boys were tied up hands bound on either side of the body to the same side ankle Clemente theorized the suspect is somebody who works with animal carcasses, a butcher or a hunter., [T]he ligatures are not restraining ligatures. There is a vast difference between what most Satanists believe Satanism is and the popular perception of Satanism. 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. Christopher Byers' father, Rick Murray, was one of the early voices to speak out against the West Memphis Three's convictions, with Pamela Hobbs perhaps becoming the most vocal. Over the nine years since their release, there have been dozens of theories that pointed to other suspects who could have been behind the deaths of Christopher, Michael, and Steve. He was 62. They were 17, 16, and 18 years old respectively. Police on the case felt that there were cult-like and satanic overtones to the murders. Misskelley's confession couldn't be utilized if he had stood trial alongside Echols and Baldwin under what is known as the Bruton rule stemming from Bruton v. United States. "Even if he files within the right court, there is no body that's required under habeas corpus because he's released," said Attorney General Griffin. 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). A polygraph indicated some level of deception in his statements to police, yet it should be noted that a heart condition may have affected the results. While police initially suspected rape, there was no evidence for it. With the evidence mounting that all three accused had been innocent, the deal ensured that Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley would never be allowed to pursue civil action against the state of Arkansas for wrongful imprisonment. Standing 6-feet-5-inches tall and weighing 238 pounds, Byers was an imposing and threatening presence. Damien Echols was sentenced to death, Jessie Misskelley Jr. to life imprisonment plus two 20-year sentences, and Jason Baldwin to life imprisonment. Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley were accused of killing three eight-year-old boys: Chris Byers, Stevie Branch, and Michael Moore. 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. MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. Workers at the Bojangles restaurant just a mile from the crime scene reported that at 8:42 p.m., a Black male had entered the premises and went into the women's bathroom. 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. 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 varying wounds included unrecognized bites, and possible stab wounds to his groin and castration, with some putting this down to animal predation. 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. Terry Hobbs and Pamela Hicks. Then read about the woman who was convicted for locking her deaf sister in a room for seven years. However, a hair "not inconsistent with" Steve Branch's stepfather, Terry Hobbs, was found, and crucially it was tied into the knots of the bindings that had hogtied one of the children. However, during his time at the station, Aaron mentioned that his three friends had been killed at "the playhouse.". Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Offers may be subject to change without notice. All three were charged and accused of committing a Satanic murder. Aaron was restless, and Bray was unable to properly administer the polygraph. Explaining why the test may have indicated this, Martin suggested he believed "the father of Steve Branch killed the boys" and that he suspected shoelaces would have been used to tie up the victims, as "logic tells him that the killer would use something already there." eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ Medical examiners were split on whether the three boys died the night they went missing or the morning after, and the bite marks wouldn't even be noticed until photographs were examined years later. Echols lawyer stated that new DNA evidence did not place him at the scene of the crime. 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. The condition of the bodies led to the initial belief the three had been raped and then killed. By Benjamin H. Smith Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three? After 3 years of fighting to get new evidence tested for DNA, the state says the WM3 petition should be tossed out and now, the attorneys are responding in court. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. We will fully comply with any lawful request made regarding this case.". The West Memphis Three were charged with the murder of three boys in 1994. 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. Neighbors would recall that the abuse suffered by the boy was horrific, describing the whippings as a regular occurrence. 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. Then, after determining the boys final movements, Bob meets with a DNA expert to discuss new technology that might break the case wide open. He was 62. hitType: 'event', 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. Ultimately, the judge will make a final ruling on whether to proceed. 31 2021, Published 3:16 p.m. All three were second-grade pupils at Weaver Elementary School, with Branch being an honor student. 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 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. On the evening of May 5, 1993, three 8-year-old boys disappeared from the streets of West Memphis, Ark. Who killed Stevie "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.". On May 5, 1993, Branch was at home with his mother, Pamela Hobbs, and shortly after the end of school, Moore rode over on his bike and asked if his friend could take a ride with him. 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. But in the process, the West Memphis Three get blamed for the crime they didn't commit. Police detective Bryn Ridge would later testify he somehow lost the samples from Bojangles' wall. In statements under oath, the three witnesses say that Michael Hobbs told them, "My uncle killed three boys in West Memphis." 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. Byers submitted dental records that showed the marks on the body didn't match his original teeth and subsequently passed a polygraph during the documentary's filming. 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. With the new evidence in hand alongside expert testimony that suggested the knife wounds and mutilation had been animal predation, Echols petitioned for a retrial. Then, perhaps, the punishment went too far, and it resulted in the triple homicide. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas After three years of fighting to get new evidence tested for DNA, the state is saying the West Memphis Three petition should be tossed out. 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. Investigators found the bottle exactly where he said it would be. It took 18 years, a deep probe into the criminal justice system, and the rallying of a 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. The police contended the tapes couldn't confirm this, with interference masking conversations. She described a cult meeting involving Echols, Misskelley and about eight other youths. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ 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. 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}}