Today, in an Arkansas Supreme Court decision that will thrill supporters of the West Memphis Three, Damien Echols received a new evidentiary hearing, in which all evidence, including the DNA evidence that exculpates him and implicates others in the murder, will be considered.
Echols and co-defendants Misskelley and Baldwin were the subjects of the documentaries Paradise Lost and Paradise Lost 2: Revelations. Having read much about the case, I am convinced of their innocence and very much hope that the new hearing will provide the defendants long-overdue justice.
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Thanks for drawing attention to the West Memphis Three situation.
Damien, Jessie and Jason were "expendable trailer trash" as far as the court was concerned.
Even the victims' families (with the exception of the Moores) support the West Memphis Three's innocence. The father of victim Chris Byers co-runs a website for anyone interested in discussing the case – http://www.wm3blackboard.com .
There's no evidence to convict the WM3 – not a single hair, footprint (and Damien wore Army boots), not a fingerprint, not a strand of DNA. There is beau coup evidence to implicate a certain stepfather (his DNA and, more importantly, the DNA of a friend of his who he hadn't seen on 5/5/93 until after the boys disappeared).
It'll all come out in the upcoming hearings …. justice is coming.
Justice for 6 = Free the 3 and Arrest the 1!
Excellent news this afternoon. The West Memphis Three were released from prison on an Alford plea.