New Hearings For the West Memphis Three
Not quite. Over the years, many supporters of the West Memphis Three have maintained that the teenagers are innocent and that it was merely "satanic panic" that caused the jury to return with a guilty verdict. In 2007, newly analyzed DNA evidence came to light that might suggest that these supporters are right. This evidence reportedly shows no indication of the presence of any of the three convicted killers at the crime scene. Further more, some experts have asserted that the ritualistic wounds purported to be on the victims' bodies, were actually caused by animals after death had occurred.
Thanks to this new evidence, a three week round of hearings has been scheduled for September. Judge David Burnett has agreed give each defendant's lawyer one week to present the evidence. In the meantime, a gag order has been imposed upon the attorneys so it is unlikely that we will hear anything of an official nature before September.
Personally, I think this new hearing is long overdue but is finally a step in the direction of justice. Do I think that Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley are innocent? That is irrelevant. What I do think is that these three young men were convicted with very little evidence -- evidence that certainly did not prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. For that reason, I don't feel that justice has been served for anyone, including the victims.
Comments
very clear and to the point that the west memphis three need to be heard after 15 years in jail with little
evidence to point at them for anything
but being scapgroats to murder.
It was so obviously the stepdad
I read the book called blood of the innocents which is the story of this case. Throughout the book it was very easy in these discriptions to point at the boys. As long as the right verdict comes about this time I think it’s well deserved.
I watched the HBO special on the trial it was obvious to a non-expert the stepfather knew / had something to do with those deaths. I have been checking the web sites often hopping to find something out on this case. Glad to see it has finally in favor of the 3 who were also boys when this happen. Who ever did this took the lives of 6 young boys.
I am elated. It finally gives me a speck of hope in the U.S. Justice system and its dependence on its, for lack of a better word, mostly moronic citizens.
It’s about time these 3 innocent boys had a new trail.
I think the US justice department should be very ashamed of themselves for the INJUSTICE that has been allowed to happen and still happening to these boys. SHAME on them.
I want to pray for these young men. Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus ,I pray for each one of these young men,that your angels will constantly watch over them and keep them safe from harm and that you will deliver them from evil. I pray LOrd God that you will make a way to set them free from the terrible injustice that they have suffered over the years.As I cast my cares upon you ,I believe and I thank you that you will make this happen for them. God bless all that reads this and joins their prayers with mine. So be it
It is now December; are there any updates? Has any decision been made? I personally believe
the evidence found at the time of the crime is not sufficient to even arrest the young men, let alone indict and try them. Has the issue of pre-trial publicity tainting the juror pool been
raised?
I have been following this case for some time, a good website to keep updated with is http://www.wm3.com. Its a website I believe kept up to date by Dameaons wife. There you can see all the information about every proceeding that happens. Very helpful. Hopefully these innocent boys will be set free soon. I agree it was the stepfather — his hair was found at the scene and as soon as they made mention of bite marks he had all of his teeth removed.
These boys should not be in jail.
I don’t care what anyone thinks these poor boys
are in jail for something they didn’t do.
While I think you’re probably correct about their innocence, Nicole, I think the biggest issue is that these boys were unjustly convicted. There was not nearly enough evidence to convict them. So in my mind, whether they did the crime or not, justice has not been served because the conviction was not warranted.
If you know the story there was a mud covered man that showed up at a nearby restaurant that night. The police didn’t bother speaking to him or taking evidence from the bathroom of the restaurant. It was all just bad police work. I am suprised with all of the police/FBI/Cold Case/DNA shows on TV that none of them have picked up on this case.
I have seen the west memphis three’s trial on the CI chanel, and do not believe the three are guilty or had anything to do with the murders. I truly beleive that the step father of one of this poor little boy’s was the true violater and would like to see him hung drawn and quartered. Never heard much about the three little boy’s and the back ground to their lives, as a matter of fact never really have been told of the west memphis threes back ground or lives. I isten to heavy metal music and always wear black “doe’s this make me a criminal” by all means NO. Please set the innocent free! Justice has not been served. The true murderer’s are out there. Even in the broadcast on CI chanel here in Australia has never once proved or provided evidence that would convict the young gentlemen. The deserve to be free to get on with the young lives they have missed out on. Put the true killer – killers in jail and administer what they deserve. So painful death. free the west memphis three!!!!!!