Echols unwisely began to tell the fanatical Driver tall tales about local cults and animal sacrifices when Driver became his parole officer, telling him that he followed Wicca. But what is the purpose of that? Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three On one occasion after the killings at Robin Hood Hills, he had beaten Pamela so severely that she told the family that she thought her jaw was broken, prompting them to drive to the Hobbs home to confront him. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), hitType: 'event', WebThe West Memphis Three are three men convicted as teenagers in 1994 of the 1993 murders of three boys in West Memphis, Arkansas, United States. Jessie Misskelley was given two 20 year-sentences on top of life imprisonment, while Jason Baldwin also received life imprisonment. Hutcheson was accused of settling from her employer and forced to bring her young son, Aaron Hutcheson, to the interview. The 'West Memphis Three' Murders We will fully comply with any lawful request made regarding this case.". He quickly retracted the statement, and police aren't believed to have considered them suspects any longer than the period of their arrest. This is where the calluses on a man's hand are bigger than his conscience, and dreams get drowned in sweat and tears.". Explaining why the test may have indicated this, Martin suggested he believed "the father of Steve Branch killed the boys" and that he suspected shoelaces would have been used to tie up the victims, as "logic tells him that the killer would use something already there." Workers at the Bojangles restaurant just a mile from the crime scene reported that at 8:42 p.m., a Black male had entered the premises and went into the women's bathroom. Meanwhile, patrons at the Blue Beacon, a truck wash close to the scene, all had their credit card receipts collected, and the first suspects brought in were transients, with information being sought about two "dirty-looking" hitchhikers. Nine days later, Misskelley would confess again. However, once again, Misskelley claimed Baldwin pulled out a knife, despite the evidence presented by experts that no knife had ever been used. Youtube Mugshots of the West Memphis Three. Initially a suspect himself amongst some people, John Mark Byers added his voice to those doubts before being killed in a car crash last year. It wouldn't be the only evidence that linked Hobbs to the murders, with his wife Pamela finding a knife that her son had carried with him in her husband's nightstand. ET. eventAction: 'click_adunit' It was rumor and innuendo, overheard gossip and allegations. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Yet, few could give details. While he was on medication that may have affected the outcome, including Xanax, it seems that his suspected involvement in the killings was a complete dead end. He was muddy, bleeding, and brushed against the walls, leaving behind blood stains and feces on the walls, stall, and floor. The state of Arkansas was hoping to do like they do in so many other cases with poor people, with people who are powerless to defend themselves. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { Whether justice has been done in the case of the West Memphis Three depends on entirely who you ask. For the state, the Alford pleas were a face-saving exercise. Misskelley confessed during the interrogation but later took rescinded it, stating that he did it out our fear and intimidation. Many pointed to the irony in that insult, since Byers himself was considered by many to be complicit in not just the boys' murder, and the death of his second wife as well, who had passed away three years after her son's killing. The Story Of The West Memphis Teens Wrongfully Imprisoned 18 Years For Satanic Murder. He showed several old scars from prior injuries. The child claimed they were committed by Spanish-speaking Satanists. After 18 years behind bars, they were freed. One of those people would be Pamela Hobbs. They seem to me to be more practical ligatures, Clemente said. Jones, the assistant juvenile probation officer, was one of the chief voices pushing the line alongside his supervisor Jerry Blackwood Driver. When they didn't, the first phone call would be made to police not long afterward, John Mark Byers raising the alarm with police close to 8 p.m. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! 31 2021, Published 3:16 p.m. West Memphis Three Suspicion toward John Mark Byers would only increase when the bite marks on Steve Branch's forehead were discovered. Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three While he remained immature, he was on an early road to adulthood as he worked part-time as a roofer and expecting a baby with his girlfriend, Domini Teer. West Memphis Three killed However, during his time at the station, Aaron mentioned that his three friends had been killed at "the playhouse.". He tried to fight back and showed defensive injuries. }); Goths, punks and skaters were in the ascendency, and Middle America was horrified. Indiana man accused of murdering motorist after accident in Illinois now facing charges in separate murder, Man shot, killed after crash on highway, suspect charged with murder, police say, Woman Started Firing At Pool Party, Killing One And Injuring Two, Police Say, Subscribe to Front Page Detectives Newsletter. Speaking about Echols to The New York Times in 1993, high school teacher Jim Ferguson said, "he's like some wacko cult member.". Messed Up Truth About The West Memphis Three Memphis VEGA, Texas (KFDA) - Two people were killed and two others were injured after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 west of Vega. True crime: The tragedy of the West Memphis Three }); It was just days before the trial of Echols and Baldwin. Moore was the group leader and, like his best friends, a proud cub scout, wearing his uniform even when not at meetings. All three boys were naked and hogtied using their shoelaces, each ankle tied with a wrist behind their backs. 1:53 Digital Original Motivations For Investigating The West Memphis Case 1:05 Preview "But I didn't wear hats back then; my hair could have blown around anywhere.". The blade had blood on the hinge, and HBO ordered Berlinger and Sinofsky to hand the knife to West Memphis police. } Kara Goldfarb is a writer living in New York City. Despite the alarming inconsistencies and recanting his confession, saying that he was fatigued, threatened and intimidated, police quickly arrested Echols and Baldwin. Who Killed }); Before the case could again reach the courts, Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley were allowed to enter Alford plea deals. Youtube Mugshots of the West Memphis Three. Their trial, which included Both men were increasingly concerned about the potential for human sacrifices when it was a full moon. But, those were far from the only three suspects in the case. 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. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. According to her new story, police had threatened to take her child if she didn't "cooperate." 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. Steve Edward Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore were all good kids. Byers had been a step-father to Christopher Byers, who along with his two eight-year-old friends Michael Moore and Steve Branch, had been killed in West Memphis on May 5, 1993, and whose murders remain unsolved to this day, almost three decades later. He also initially claimed Echols had choked one victim until he was told that none of the boys had been strangled. }); 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. The West Memphis Three were the distinctive people in the town of West Memphis; however, there was little evidence suggesting they killed the three young boys. West Memphis Three He has now resigned, and we know that none of the evidence was destroyed. 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. VEGA, Texas (KFDA) - Two people were killed and two others were injured after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 west of Vega. Like John Mark Byers, Hobbs was a wifebeater. West Memphis Three | Background & Trial Benca said he hopes the evidence can be tested for DNA to help clear the name of his client, who along with Jason Baldwin and Jesse Misskelley Jr. was convicted of murder as a teenager in 1994. Every piece is still there https://t.co/8tzxOWjZLH, - Damien Echols (@damienechols) December 21, 2021. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were best friends. Candy-Land idealism is quietly suffocated in the relentless humidity. 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. let gads_event; There's absolutely no indication of that in this case. 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. Since his release, Echols has forged a career in the arts, moving to the infamous Salem, Massachusetts and publishing a memoir, "Almost Home: My Life Story Vol. However, this approach was countered by other officers who believed firmly the occult must be involved at some level, looking immediately toward Damien Echols, who had built a reputation in the local community. It took 18 years, a deep probe into the criminal justice system, and the rallying of a town. Entering a plea of not guilty, Richard Ofshe testified that Misskelley's confession had been a "classic example" of police coercion. Attorney General Griffin expects Echols' legal team to refile in Craighead County, but he said that it won't make a difference in the long run. Youtube Mugshots of the West Memphis Three. The West Memphis Three are Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr., whoas teenagerswere convicted in 1994 of triple murder in West Memphis (Crittenden County). He took one of them I don't know which one cut him on I think it was on this side of his face.". There were even witnesses who placed Misskelley at his trailer until 6:30 p.m., the time the boys went missing, with one revealing he picked him up to go wrestling around 7:30 p.m. killed The use of shoelaces had yet to be revealed to the public, yet Martin was eventually cleared of any involvement. 31 2021, Published 3:16 p.m. The elder Byers admitted he whipped Christopher with a belt shortly before he went missing. Local community members also rallied in support of the three, believing that their initial trial was unfair and handled incorrectly. 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. It became humiliating, something I'd do everything I could to hide from the rest of the world. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. Echols claimed that Pope's departure and the discovery of the evidence were connected. I believe there was an incident of over-disciplining one of the boys. ADVERTISEMENT Friends and family tried in vain to find the missing boys. West Memphis Three Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. When three boys turn up murdered, a small town is desperate to find the killer. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Yet, the moral panic would culturally define the decade for many youths, lingering as the remnants of the "Satanic Panic" that led to many wrongful convictions a decade earlier. Writing under penalty of perjury to the United States District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas, Pamela would say that he ex-husband kept dentures in a lock-box. How seriously anyone took the Mulder and Scully of West Memphis is uncertain, but they certainly took Echols seriously. It was a fact, leading investigators to believe he had inside knowledge of the case. West Memphis Three 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. Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three But it seemed the story for the West Memphis Three was over. In 2010, the West Memphis Three were granted to appear before the Arkansas Supreme Court based on the new DNA evidence and potential misconduct by the jury. They'd first come into contact almost precisely a year before Echols was arrested alongside his then-girlfriend Deanna Holcomb. Branch and Moores bikes were discovered on either side of a pipe bridge not far from the crime scene. The West Memphis Three The three men spent nearly 17 years in prison before being released in 2012 after entering an Alford plea, pleading guilty while maintaining their innocence. Jul. With continuing advances in DNA testing, that day may finally be around the corner. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. ga('ads.send', { Their trial, which included Classmates at Weaver Elementary School, the three were active in their Cub Scout troop and responsible enough to be trusted to roam their neighborhood without During the weeks that followed, law enforcement would only state that Echols was a source of information, not officially designating him a suspect despite looking at him more than anyone else. The Story Of The West Memphis Teens Wrongfully Imprisoned 18 Years For Satanic Murder. Damien Echols was sentenced to death, Jessie Misskelley Jr. to life imprisonment plus two 20-year sentences, and Jason Baldwin to life imprisonment. 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. The discovery comes after West Memphis Police Chief Michael Pope resigned Tuesday. 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. Sometimes justice is neither pretty, nor is it perfect, but it was important to take this opportunity to be free.". 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. They wanted to overwhelm us, convict us, condemn us and sweep us under the rug.". The Story Of The West Memphis Teens Wrongfully Imprisoned 18 Years For Satanic Murder. 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. It doesn't take much effort to get him to say or do anything at all.". The men garnered national attention due to a series of documentaries and books that questioned their convictions as well as the vocal support of numerous celebrities. },false) He kept a calendar of the lunar cycle so he and Jones could patrol the county and check for covens. of the West Memphis Three Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three? While Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley may have begun to rebuild their lives, there is still no solace or closure for the families of Steve Branch, Christopher Byers, and Michael Moore. 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. She was unable to say where this meeting was or who else was present. He was 62. The West Memphis Three were charged with the murder of three boys in 1994. So, this tells me that this offender was someone they know," Clemente said. 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. To learn more about the case, watch The Forgotten West Memphis Three" now on Oxygen. 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. He failed to recognize where the crime scene actually was, mixed up the timeline and confused the victims. Neighbors would recall that the abuse suffered by the boy was horrific, describing the whippings as a regular occurrence. West Memphis Three West Memphis Three released from prison after West Memphis Three However, the matter was sent to appeal, and Burnett was elected to the Arkansas State Senate, with his replacement being David Laser. 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. 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. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), West Memphis Three But in the process, the West Memphis Three get blamed for the crime they didn't commit. 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. He explained that the particular petition they filed is not up for interpretation and ultimately is not within their rights. When West Memphis teens Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr. were tried and convicted of the murders of three 8-year-old boys in 1994, many in the community felt confident that investigators had put the right men behind bars. I think he spent more time on concealing the bodies and the clothing and the bikes than he did on the actual murders. The Brotherhood group he identified himself as being associated with had committed multiple homicides. Who killed Stevie