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Fight For Freedom

Check out the 7-minute news story from KATV-7 in Little Rock featuring Damien Echols. Fair and comprehensive, we like that!

KTHV Extra: Part 3, Was Justice Served For The WM3 & The Victims?

It was in 1993, and three 8-year-olds were found murdered in West Memphis. Three teens were sent to prison for their deaths. Friday, we wrap up our three-part series on the West Memphis Three.

Across Arkansas and really across the world, the discussions continue 16 years later about whether the men are guilty or innocent. One thing they can agree on is how this famous case forever changed the city.

West Memphis, Arkansas is a crossroads of two major interstates. It's a small city with quaint shops and churches practically on every corner. Even so, it's a town filled with deep scars after what many believe was bad police work and a negative depiction in two HBO documentaries.

"I feel sorry for West Memphis," says author Mara Leveritt. "It not only suffered the murders; it has now suffered a lot as a result of how the murders were handled."

Leveritt has studied the case from the beginning, interviewed key players and told the story in a book, titled the Devil's Knot.

She explains, "I know the judge has said several times he is so sorry he let the cameras in there because it showed people what was happening in that trial and they couldn't believe it."

Still, Levreitt says because of the films, the West Memphis Three has received world-wide attention.

"There have been hundreds of people killed in the name of religion," said Fmr. Prosecuting Attorney John Fogleman at the Echols/Baldwin trial in 1994.

"The West Memphis Police Department did a botched job just to get these boys arrested," said Echols' mother Pam.

There've been rallies at the state capitol, dedicated internet sites and several celebrity supporters; like actress Winona Ryder, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam and the Dixie Chicks.

"People say that people don't care any more; this situation proves that they do," explains Echols' wife Lorri.

Natalie Pasdar of the Dixie Chicks visited the Arkansas' State Capitol in 2007. She explained, "When you see the films and when you go to the website and you learn about the case and all the evidence that's out now, you just feel like what can I do?"

Lorri Davis, who married Echols years after his conviction, believes key players have built their careers on this case.

She says, "I think there is just a great protectiveness that we can take care of our own, we didn't do anything wrong. What I say to that is step up and be a hero. You are not going to be condemned."

Prosecutor Brent Davis is now a Circuit Judge. The former lead detective on the case is running for Crittenden County Sheriff. Prosecutor John Fogleman is running for a seat on the Arkansas Supreme Court. There's also speculation of a possible State Senate run for Judge David Burnett.

Davis says, "If it were tried today and we knew what we know today on all three cases, there is no way they would have been convicted."

Despite repeated and countless attempts by Today's THV, police and prosecutors won't comment on the case. They stand by the decision of two juries and their investigation.

Juror William Billingsley says, "It was very difficult because I was not put on the jury to try to play God or play executioner."

Still many questions remain, like the suspicious man seen the night of the murders. According to police, he walked into a West Memphis restaurant, what used to be Bojangles, covered in blood and mud. Detectives took scrapings from the bathroom.

"Then at trial when the defense team asked about that the police said, well we lost all that evidence," explains Leveritt.

If the 8-year-old boys would have lived they'd be in their mid 20's. Instead, a memorial now stands at their elementary school. Two of the kids' homes are vacant and boarded up. The crime scene, Robin Hood Hills is now gone. The boys who played together and died together are now separated. Michael Moore's resting place is in Arkansas, Stevie Branch is in Missouri and Christopher Byers is in Tennessee.

"One thing I know for sure, he wouldn't be in a grave in a cemetery in a headstone. There would be more to his life than that," says Byers' father John Mark Byers.

As for the three convicted, the 16, 17 and 18 year olds are now men in their thirties.

"I have seen them go from teenagers to practically balding," explains Leveritt.

"It's been so long since I've talked to either one of them, practically a lifetime," explains Echols about Jessie Misskelley Jr. and Jason Baldwin.

Echols' home, where police arrested him, is now an empty shell. His only child is grown.

Echols says, "I have a son who is now almost the same age I was when I was sent here."

Sixteen years have passed. Many will always believe the West Memphis Three are guilty, while others work to get them freed.

Leveritt adds, "Now if you want to have a fair trial and these three convicted again then so be it, but let's not do it calling what we had any kind of fairness."

The Arkansas Supreme Court is currently reviewing the new DNA evidence as well as juror misconduct to determine whether to grant Damien Echols a new trial. Baldwin and Misskelley are seeking a new trial in Craighead County based on ineffective legal counsel.

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel recently filed a legal response to the Supreme Court in Echols' appeal for a new trial saying there's no need to re-examine his conviction.
Watch the full interview with author Mara Leveritt.

Monday, we started from the beginning when Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley were sent to prison. It could have all ended there, but for some that moment was just the beginning.

Tuesday night, we heard from Damien Echols on death row, who described "being in absolute terror and being numb at the same time." We also streamed Echols' extended interview.

Attorney General McDaniel's Final Legal Response to Echols' Appeal

Click here to read Attorney General Dustin McDaniel's response to Echols' latest motion for a new trial. In Bizarro World, the fact that Echols' DNA is not a match for the DNA at the crime scene doesn't mean he wasn't there and didn't do it. See Page 7: "In other words, it is conceivable that the appellant left no biological material or that any he left was not recovered or tested and there are wholly and obvious innocent explanations for the recovery of biological material of a victim's step-father and that of his friend." From Page 10: "In short, DNA evidence is not necessary to solve homicides, and, without DNA-testing results that could be dispositive of the identity of the killers here, the appellant cannot raise a reasonable probability he was not one of them."

Pray tell, what is that perfectly innocent explanation? I'm all ears, Dusty. These three teenagers were such criminal masterminds that they left behind NO DNA, footprints, murder weapon(s) or personal items, then returned to their homes ON FOOT with no wounds, victim's DNA or biological material from the outdoor crime scene? Jason even went to school at 9am the day after the murders! A thorough investigation of these murders has yet to occur, may never occur, and the real murder or murderers are out there somewhere.

We know you're scared, McDaniels, and here's why. The existent DNA from the 1993 Robin Hood Hills crime scene was tested and paid for by WM3 supporters (not the state of Arkansas) and does not belong to Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin or Jessie Misskelley. Two of the recovered hairs DO belong to persons that possibly had motive, opportunity and the means to commit the murders, unlike the WM3 who had none. Despite all of your transparent delays, as soon as these cases reach federal courts, they will be freed and you know it because not one piece of "evidence" the state presented at their original trials will hold up in any court today. And DNA that doesn't match the suspects? Not compelling. Anywhere. 

Damien Echols' defense team is scheduled to file its final brief with the Arkansas State Supreme Court on November 30, 2009.  The ASSC may hold oral arguments regarding these issues in early 2010.

[Thanks to Cov and Callahan for hosting the response.]

 

KTHV Special Report: Part II

Please click here to watch the video, which includes interviews with Damien Echols, Pam Hobbs, and John Mark Byers.

Three teenagers were later convicted, but in recent months the case has been brought back into the spotlight and thousands across the world now believe the killer is still out there.

We've told you about new witnesses coming forward, appeals being filed and new evidence the defense claims clears the convicted. So over the next three nights, we'll dig deeper. Monday, we start from the beginning when the accused were sent to prison. It could have all ended there, but for some that moment was just the beginning.

It was March 18, 1994 when Judge David Burnett read the verdicts for Damien Echols, 19, and his best friend 16-year-old Jason Baldwin.

"We the jury, find Damien Echols guilty of capital murder of Steven Branch. We the jury, find Damien Echols guilty in the capital murder of Chris Byers. We the jury, find Damien Echols guilty in the capital murder of Michael Moore," says Judge Burnett.

"It's wrong. All of it is wrong. It's been our Salem witch trial from the very beginning," says one of Jason Baldwin's family members.

"He was tortured to death by three murdering bastards on a ditch bank. He was 8 years old," screamed Christopher Byers mother Melissa in 1994.

Some called it the work of Satanism for a crime so heinous, so horrifying, so tragic.

One resident cried, "All of West Memphis. All of West Memphis is just torn up."

The victims were Christopher Byers, Stevie Branch, Michael Moore; all 2nd grade classmates, all friends, all neighbors in a small West Memphis neighborhood.

They played together, disappeared together, died together.

Police Chief of Detectives Gary Gitchell explains in 1993, "The three boys were found submerged in water and it is not an accident. They did not slip off in it. We do have three homicide victims."

The scene was Robin Hood Hills just blocks from the boys' homes. The city became paralyzed with fear.

Author Mara Leveritt has studied the crimes and written a book. She says, "People were not going to the stores. Business was falling off."

Instead of letting their kids walk home from school, parents started picking them up.

One resident says, "To think that this possibly was going on while I was so close to it. It's an eerie feeling inside."

The wooded area, off Interstate 40, has since been torn down, but there is still speculation today if they were killed there, or somewhere else and then dumped later."

No one though debates the brutality of the crime. The boys were found naked, mutilated and beaten. Their hands and feet were bound.

Leveritt says, "The whole region was traumatized by these murders."

Rumors flew in the religious community along with stories of satanic rituals and witches.

Days turned into weeks.

Gitchell says, "We've got 28,000 to 30,000 people in West Memphis and as far as I'm concerned everybody is a suspect."

Then a month after the murders came a break. After hours of questioning, Jessie Misskelley Jr. confessed. He was a borderline mentally retarded 17-year-old with what some say was an error-filled story. It's one his father says was provoked.

"Cussed him, spit in his face, stepped on his hands," says Jessie Misskelley Sr.

"I just don't understand if he was in fact involved in this crime how he made a mistake on a time factor," explains a false confession expert during the trial.

Leveritt says, "The suggestions for the changes came from police, even in the parts that were recorded."

Misskelley recanted his confession the next day but had already implicated two others, Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin. Both listened to heavy metal music. Echols wore black and practiced the Wicca religion.

After the arrests, the West Memphis Police Department held a press conference. A reporter asked, "On a scale of one to ten, how solid is this case?" Gitchell responded, "An 11"

All three were taken into custody. All three were tried. All three were convicted. Damien Echols was sentenced to die. Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley were locked up for life.

Gail Grinnell, Baldwin's mother says, "My son is suffering for something he hasn't done."

As for the victims' families, some seemed to let it all end there.

"That is what all three of them are. Punks. Punks," shouted Pam Hobbs, Stevie Branch's mother, in 1993.

Also in 1993, Christopher Byers father, Mark John Byers said, "The day you die. I am going to praise God."

Only recently, they've had a change of heart. They now believe the killer is still out there.

"It is total incompetency on the West Memphis Police Department," says Byers.

Pam Hobbs explains, "The justice system failed me May 5, 1993."

They're two parents, now 16 years later fighting for justice; not just for their sons but for the three men accused.

Now Today's THV does want to make it clear that not all the parents believe the three men are innocent; including Michael Moore's father, Todd Moore. We reached out to him several times hoping he'd share his story, but he declined to be interviewed or even make on comment.

If it weren't for two HBO documentary filmmakers, this case wouldn't have garnered the world wide attention it has today. Was justice served?

Damien Echols says, "Back then, the murders were still fresh and everyone was still scared, almost terrified. Everybody was in sort of a blind panic at the time and it limited everybody's ability to use logic or to think."

We'll let you decide. Tuesday night, we'll walk you through the new evidence that the defense says clears the West Memphis Three. Catch the second part of this three part series Tuesday night on the "THV 10:00 Difference."

The boys attended Weaver Elementary in West Memphis. Shortly after the murders, the school put up a monument in their honor.

KTHV Special Report

Beginning tonight at 10:00 p.m (Central Time), KTHV will be airing a three-part special about the case. 

Monday:  Was Justice Served For The WM3 & The Victims?

Tonight on the "THV 10:00 Difference," we're taking a look back at three of the state's most haunting murders. Sixteen years ago, Arkansans sat in shock as they watched the news and learned of the brutal killings of three children in West Memphis.

Three teenagers were later convicted but in recent months the case has been brought back into the spotlight.

We've told you about new witnesses coming forward, appeals being filed and evidence the defense claims clears the convicted. So over the next three nights, we'll dig deeper. Tonight, we start from the beginning when the accused were sent to prison. It could have all ended there, but for some that moment was just the beginning.

It was April 18, 1994, when Judge David Burnett read the verdict for Damien Echols, 19, and his best friend 16-year-old Jason Baldwin.

"We the jury, find Damien Echols guilty of capital murder of Steven Branch. We the jury, find Damien Echols guilty in the capital murder of Chris Byers. We the jury, find Damien Echols guilty in the capital murder of Michael Moore."

"It's wrong. All of it is wrong. It's been our Salem witch trial from the very beginning," says one of Jason Baldwin's family members.

Some called it the work of Satanism for a crime so heinous, so horrifying and so tragic.

"All of West Memphis. All of West Memphis is just torn up," said one resident in 1993.

The victims were all 8 years old, all second grade classmates, all neighbors in a small West Memphis neighborhood. They played together, disappeared together, died together.

Police Chief of Detectives Gary Gitchell says, "The three boys were found submerged in water and it is not an accident. They did not slip off in it. We do have three homicide victims."

The scene was Robin Hood Hills, just blocks from the boys' homes. The city became paralyzed with fear.

"People were not going to the stores. Business was falling off," explains author Mara Leveritt.

A month after the murders, a break came. After hours of questioning, Jessie Misskelley Jr. confessed. He recanted his story the next day but had already implicated two other teens, Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin.

Catch this THV Extra tonight on the "THV 10:00 Difference" and find out why two of the victim's parents now 16 years later believe the three men accused are innocent. 

If it weren't for two HBO documentary filmmakers, this case wouldn't have garnered the world wide attention it has today. Was justice served?

Damien Echols says, "Back then, the murders were still fresh and everyone was still scared, almost terrified. Everybody was in sort of a blind panic at the time and it limited everybody's ability to use logic or to think."

We'll let you decide. We'll walk you through the new evidence that the defense says clears the West Memphis Three.