ga('ads.send', { Two of the boys' underwear, however, was missing. Watch: Man connected to 'West Memphis Three' learns evidence connected to the case is missing By Dominique Dillon, FOX13memphis.com July 08, 2021 at 5:53 pm CDT WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. 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. Echols and Baldwin were best friends and shared a profound distaste for Bible Belt life in West Memphis, Arkansas and were drawn toward the rebellion of metal music and associated books and movies. }); In 1994, in what was widely believed to be a miscarriage of justice, three teens, 18-year-old Damien Echols, 17-year-old Jessie Misskelley Jr., and 16-year-old Jason Baldwin, were convicted in connection to the deaths of Christopher Byers, Michael Moore, and Steve Branch the previous year. In 1997 Byers had all his teeth removed, claiming both that medication he was taking caused gum disease and he'd planned to remove them as he had suffered dental problems for years. There are significant issues with the confession, with his claims not aligning with the autopsy and crime scene evidence, seemingly changing his story depending on who he was talking with. Based on the new information, the three men asked for an Alford plea, in which the defendant maintains their innocence, but acknowledge that prosecutors have evidence to convict them. But, those were far from the only three suspects in the case. 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. Entering a plea of not guilty, Richard Ofshe testified that Misskelley's confession had been a "classic example" of police coercion. It was likely the teenager was deliberately provoking Driver and exaggerating his lifestyle, leading the officer to become convinced that Echols was involved in a Satanic cult straight from a horror film. Friends and family tried in vain to find the missing boys. Watch: Man connected to 'West Memphis Three' learns evidence connected to the case is missing By Dominique Dillon, FOX13memphis.com July 08, 2021 at 5:53 pm CDT WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. 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. Undertaking a polygraph, Martin seemingly showed deception when asked, "Do you know what was used to tie up those three boys?" Morgan and Holland left town on May 10 and headed to Oceanside in California, their departure shocking many who knew them. Both men were increasingly concerned about the potential for human sacrifices when it was a full moon. Sign up for newsletter today. "I can't understand why exactly people are glossing over the obvious when it comes to Byers and the death of Melissa Byers and all the things that Byers has said and done since this trial," he said. "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. 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. pg.acq.push(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. One such suspect was none other than Byers. Clemente noted there was no indication, forensically, that theres more than one offender involved because what happened to each of the victims was consistent. WebWest Memphis Three, three American men who in 1994, while teenagers, were found guilty of murdering three young boys in West Memphis, Arkansas, allegedly as part of devil worship. The West Memphis Three had trials in 1994, with Echols and Baldwin tried together and Misskelley tried separately. Equally, Wiccans reject their beliefs are a form of Satanism, with the movement being closer to Neo-Paganism and nature religions and almost exclusively pacifistic in nature. The police were called, but he had left by the time they arrived, and nobody from law enforcement entered the bathroom until the next day after the discovery of the bodies. },false) },false) 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. During part two of the documentary special, Ruff sat down with retired FBI Supervisory Agent Jim Clemente, who created a suspect profile to help narrow down the possible suspect pool. "Lawyers have to follow the law and when you file in the wrong place that's not my fault," said Attorney General Griffin. 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. 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. hitType: 'event', Misskelley was interrogated for 12 hours, of which less than an hour were recorded. There was circumstantial evidence to suggest Byers knew more than he let on. 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. Terry Hobbs, meanwhile, still believes in the guilt of the West Memphis Three, telling Memphis ABC affiliate WATN in 2019 that "I still believe in my heart that Jessie, Jason, and Damion Echols are responsible for what happened to our children.". Echols, 36, had been on death row, while Baldwin, 34, and Misskelley, 36, were serving life sentences. The DNA of these three children is likely in that evidence," said Lonnie Soury, a member of Damien Echols' legal team. They wouldn't be alone, and witness after witness would state they had heard there was a Satanic cult in the area. Toggle dark mode He was 62. Terry Hobbs and Pamela Hicks. It took 18 years, a deep probe into the criminal justice system, and the rallying of a town. and "Do you know who killed those three boys?". 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. 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. It was rumor and innuendo, overheard gossip and allegations. if(document.querySelector("#google_image_div")){ Never mentioned in the autopsy or at either trial, they didn't match for Echols, Misskelley or Baldwin. This would give him no time to meet his Echols and Baldwin, get drunk as he claimed, and then kill three children in an extended attack in the woods. Despite suspicion eventually falling away from Byers, Jason Baldwin praised the "Paradise Lost" documentaries as essential to their case, telling the "National Podcast of Texas" in 2019 that "The documentary saved my life, saved Damien's life, and saved Jessie's life. hitType: 'event', He said the evidence, which he claims city officials previously told him was lost, destroyed or missing, was found intact and organized. How much of Echols reputation came down to his mental illness and how much teenage desire to shock is open to debate. 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. 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. Who killed Stevie Subsequent interviews with Vicki Hutcheson were just as contradictory. Speaking about Echols to The New York Times in 1993, high school teacher Jim Ferguson said, "he's like some wacko cult member.". Meeting with Echols, Hutcheson reported that nothing incriminating was said. 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. "We are pleased that the evidence is intact," Benca said, according to WREG. The assailant is also prone to violent outbursts, likely has a history of domestic violence, and places a high importance on punishment. 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. 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. But in the process, the West Memphis Three get blamed for the crime they didn't commit. "We are trying to find the real killers. The Story Of The West Memphis Teens Wrongfully Imprisoned 18 Years For Satanic Murder. "We have no vested interest in trying to withhold any evidence from anyone on either side. 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. Neighbors would recall that the abuse suffered by the boy was horrific, describing the whippings as a regular occurrence. pg.acq.push(function() { Youtube Mugshots of the West Memphis Three. Trinocular Co-Axial 1500x Metallurgical Microscope with Top-Bottom Light with 2MP Camera, Trinocular Microscope with DIN Objective and Camera 40x - 2000x, Junior Medical Microscope with Wide Field Eyepiece & LED 100x - 1500x, Trinocular Inverted Metallurgical Microscope 100x - 1200x, Binocular Inverted Metallurgical Microscope 100x - 1200x. Another story claimed Aaron saw a mass of "The Dragons," an alleged coven with five members, spoke Spanish and sang about Satan. Branch had 21 particular wounds, including a large gouge to the left side of his face, with Byers having 62 differing injuries. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. The following afternoon, the bodies of Steve Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were found by a muddy ditch. 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. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Furthermore, Clemente believes the assailant was a male in his 30s who is either biologically related to one or more of the victims, a family member, or a very close community member. 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. 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. 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. Autopsies revealed that Byers died of multiple injuries, while the other two boys died of multiple injuries with drowning. 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. WebThe West Memphis Three were the first people in West Memphis, Arkansas who were accused of murdering the three young boys. A roll of toilet paper was soaked through with blood. Motivations For Investigating The West Memphis Case, Timeline Of The West Memphis Three Victims. 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. Police on the case felt that there were cult-like and satanic overtones to the murders. It became humiliating, something I'd do everything I could to hide from the rest of the world. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! One of those people would be Pamela Hobbs. However, the matter was sent to appeal, and Burnett was elected to the Arkansas State Senate, with his replacement being David Laser. With John Mark Byers ruled out, revelations in 2007 would point in a new direction equally close to home. eventAction: 'click_adunit' 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. Moore was the group leader and, like his best friends, a proud cub scout, wearing his uniform even when not at meetings. 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. Due to marital problems stemming from Stevies death, the couple divorced in 2004, reported CNN. Offers may be subject to change without notice. }); 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. In 2000, Berlinger and Sinofsky would produce "Paradise Lost 2: Revelations," a sequel to their 1996 film. Soon after, witness, Narlene Hollingsworth, reported she saw three boys riding bikes, almost hitting one when he rode out in front of her car. Who killed Stevie 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. One of the charges of making terroristic threats was connected to a domestic dispute between him and his first wife, Sandra Byers, who accused him of threatening her life and assaulting her with an electronic stunning device. If they thought they could trust the person who was the actual threat, then that person could get close enough to them to control them so that they couldn't run away," he told Ruff. The Brotherhood group he identified himself as being associated with had committed multiple homicides. This is the world where fist meets face. Quoted by WMC-TV in 2013, Jacoby said, "They said close to the crime scene because at one time I did walk near where they had found the kids with Terry Hobbs, his father-in-law, his wife," adding. Opinion remains divided on whether the right men were convicted or if the actual killers still walk the streets of West Memphis. While the stepfather initially denied it had ever been used, he later changed his story and said he had used it just once, to cut deer meat. Goths, punks and skaters were in the ascendency, and Middle America was horrified. There was a sense of disconnect from society amongst many young people, with the counter-culture that produced grunge giving way to the metal Police noted he knew at least one of the victims by name and was on vacation the week the murders took place. Public opinion against him would only grow more robust when the testimony of Aaron Hutcheson was leaked to the press. An investigation of the murders looked into several suspects, including the stepfather of Steve Branch as well as two teenage boys who had abruptly fled to California shortly after the bodies were discovered. }); 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. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. According to her new story, police had threatened to take her child if she didn't "cooperate." So if the West Memphis Three aren't the real killers, who is? Grandmother with dementia died from face wound neglected by staff for days. All three were charged and accused of committing a Satanic murder. It took them 18 years to clear their names. Attempting to shelter from a storm, the two broke into a trailer and were charged with burglary and sexual misconduct. At the trial, the prosecution continued the claims of Satanic overtones, calling Dale W. Griffis of the unaccredited Columbia Pacific University distance learning school as an "expert" witness to affirm the killings were definitely occult related. A self-identified white supremacist and freemason, his personality and affiliations led many to suspect that he was the kind of man who may have been involved in the killings. Misskelley was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. "I am innocent, as are Jason and Jessie, but I made this decision because I did not want to spend another day of my life behind those bars," Echols told the "Arkansas Times." 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. While they showed the bravado and sense of adventure associated with many scouts, they were still innocent, with Byers said by his mother to still "[believe] in the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus.". Efforts to release the West Memphis Three would be aided in 2003 when Vicki Hutcheson ultimately recanted her testimony, telling the "Arkansas Times" that everything she told police was a lie.