JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) - A retired judge will continue to hear appeals by
two men convicted as teenagers in the killing of 3 8-year-olds in West
Memphis in 1993, despite recently stepping down from the bench.
Retired Craighead County Circuit Judge David Burnett oversaw the
original 1994 trials of the three men known to supporters as "the West
Memphis Three." Burnett retired as of January 1, but a spokesman for the
Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts says he will continue to
serve as a special judge for the appeals.
Burnett ultimately dismissed the DNA claims raised by Damien Echols, but
allowed Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley to present evidence that
that they were inadequately defended in their 1994 trials.
Those hearings are scheduled to continue January 28.
Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,
http://www.arkansasonline.com
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