The three would be confirmed to be together between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., with the boys spotted headed toward Robin Hood Hills; Terry Hobbs, Branch's stepfather, calling out for them to return. Youtube Mugshots of the West Memphis Three. It was rumor and innuendo, overheard gossip and allegations. Copyright 2023 Empire Media Group, Inc. Front Page Detectives is a registered trademark. The Supreme Court ruled that a defendant would be deprived of his rights if a confession was introduced in a joint trial under the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment, stating that "in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the rightto be confronted with the witnesses against him." 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. It took them 18 years to clear their names. He again repeated the incorrect police suspicion that Echols had sexually violated one of the boys, claiming this time his friend had ejaculated on the victim's trousers. Steve had taken this knife everywhere and was never without it, with Pamela believing the killer had stolen it when it wasn't found at the scene. 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. 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. Echols filed a petition, which was not granted, but then the decision was overturned by the Arkansas Supreme Court. Jul. 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. 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. 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. Judge Laser vacated all previous convictions and ordered a new trial where the West Memphis Three would be allowed to make the plea, sentencing them to time served. The Story Of The West Memphis Teens Wrongfully Imprisoned 18 Years For Satanic Murder. 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. As the rumors increased throughout the community, a Salem-like air descended as names continued to be associated with the alleged cult. }) Branch and Moores bikes were discovered on either side of a pipe bridge not far from the crime scene. 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. 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). On Feb. 8, Misskelley claimed he had been drunk at the time of the killings and was drinking Evan Williams whiskey, claiming that he had thrown a bottle away under a bridge in West Memphis, swearing on the Bible as to the truth of his latest claims. 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. Echols interest in the occult as an outlet led him to Wicca, and he was a reader of Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey and English occultist Aleister Crowley. After being told that she was questioning his involvement, Hobbs is alleged to have replied, "I could skin a man alive, I could cut him up.". Driver was the kind of individual who saw Satanism in every corner, blaming campfires, dead animal carcasses and pentagram graffiti on the dark arts. Eventually, three local teenagers, Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley, and Jason Baldwin, were zeroed in on as the prime suspects. Echols was generally seen as the dominant personality where Baldwin was concerned. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. However, the matter was sent to appeal, and Burnett was elected to the Arkansas State Senate, with his replacement being David Laser. All three had been stripped naked and shackled with their shoelaces their right ankles had been tied to their right wrists behind their backs, with their left ankles to their left wrists behind their backs as well. All three spent most of their days as any other mid-1990s teenagers - listening to rock music, watching pro wrestling on television, and either poking around under the hood of a car or simply hanging out and causing trouble. There is a strong Christian identity, and crime is an issue, but the behavior of Echols, in particular, would have drawn comment everywhere. The inherent belief in that line of thought eventually led to the arrest of 18-year-old Damien Echols, 17-year-old Jessie Misskelley Jr., and 16-year-old Jason Baldwin, three out-of-sorts teens who became popularly known as "The West Memphis Three.". Adding, "Then, uh, Jason pulled out a knife. Beyond his tales about Misskelley, Baldwin and Echols, Climber claimed to have beaten a police officer, hung a woman and sacrificed a second lady. Who Is The Real Killer Behind The 'West Memphis Three' Murders? While the documentary opened the public's eyes to the miscarriage of justice that had transpired to get Echols, Miskelley Jr., and Baldwin convicted for a crime they did not commit, it also threw doubt on Byers, a suspicious character who seemed to have a penchant for theatrics. These three would come to be known as the West Memphis Three. Investigators found the bottle exactly where he said it would be. The new documentary focused on the bite marks, with the prosecution arguing that the marking seen on Christopher Byers' face in photographs is from a belt buckle and not teeth. Then, after determining the boys final movements, Bob meets with a DNA expert to discuss new technology that might break the case wide open. The hair would tie in with a reported sighting of a "disoriented" man on the night of the boys' disappearance. Echols claimed that Pope's departure and the discovery of the evidence were connected. It doesn't take much effort to get him to say or do anything at all.". Echols lawyer stated that new DNA evidence did not place him at the scene of the crime. The autopsy in full is harrowing reading, with Moore receiving 63 specific wounds, including ten skull fractures. 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. On the evening of May 5, 1993, three 8-year-old boys disappeared from the streets of West Memphis, Ark. ga('ads.send', { No semen was found at the scene, and there was no evidence of molestation. 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.Attorney Patrick Benca, who represents WebThe West Memphis Three were the first people in West Memphis, Arkansas who were accused of murdering the three young boys. When investigators found the boys bodies on May 6, 1993, they had been jammed into the muddy ground of the bayou, and their clothes had been submerged in the water with sticks. }); "The chief of police was not truthful," Echols tweeted on Wednesday. She was unable to say where this meeting was or who else was present. According to her new story, police had threatened to take her child if she didn't "cooperate." The friends rode over to Bobby Posey's house, where they learned Christopher had been whipped by his adoptive father, John Mark Byers, and planned to run away. Interested, police arrested both of them on May 17, placing them under a polygraph which indicated they were deceptive when denying involvement in the killings. There was a sense of disconnect from society amongst many young people, with the counter-culture that produced grunge giving way to the metal 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. All three were charged and accused of committing a Satanic murder. Taylor's presence suggests that at 4:30 p.m., Branch and Moore had not yet found their friend Byers. There was circumstantial evidence to suggest Byers knew more than he let on. LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas After three years of fighting to get new evidence tested for DNA, the state is saying the West Memphis Three petition should be tossed out. To learn more about the case, watch The Forgotten West Memphis Three" now on Oxygen. ET. 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. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. In 1973, his parents had called the police to report that he was threatening them with a butcher knife. Now, Attorney General Tim Griffin has requested the Arkansas Supreme Court to dismiss the case based on the fact that the petition was filed in Crittenden County but Echols was convicted in Craighead County. During the trial, Echols blew kisses to the victim's family, a sign taken by many as a sure sign of guilt. A popular perception is that in New York or Los Angeles, is the lifestyles of the West Memphis Three wouldn't have drawn comment, but in Arkansas, it was a different story. Meeting with Echols, Hutcheson reported that nothing incriminating was said. ET. 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. Youtube Mugshots of the West Memphis Three. However, it wasn't just about the music with many embracing rebellious philosophies that were inherently offensive to the traditions of Christianity, respect and patriotism that have always defined small-town rural America. They had a daughter together, Amanda Hobbs, who was 4 years old at the time of her brothers death. With continuing advances in DNA testing, that day may finally be around the corner. "I want to live and to continue to fight for our innocence. Hobbs, who had previously been under the police scanner for the murders because of inconsistencies in his story, had later been cleared of any wrongdoing but found himself being verbally abused by Byers in front of cameras outside a courtroom. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were best friends. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Prosecutors argued that the three teenagers, with Echols as the lead, committed the murders as part of a satanic ritual. Another story claimed Aaron saw a mass of "The Dragons," an alleged coven with five members, spoke Spanish and sang about Satan. Authorities figured Echols as a suspect because had shown an interest in occultism. During questioning, Echols mentioned wounds to the genital that one of the victims suffered. It took them 18 years to clear their names. 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. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), The condition of the bodies led to the initial belief the three had been raped and then killed. He said the evidence, which he claims city officials previously told him was lost, destroyed or missing, was found intact and organized. Writing in his future memoir, "Life After Death," Echols would say, "Down here in the deep, dark South we know and live with the real world. Steve Edward Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore were all good kids. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Who Is The Real Killer Behind The 'West Memphis Three' Murders? document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ 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. He was muddy, bleeding, and brushed against the walls, leaving behind blood stains and feces on the walls, stall, and floor. Residents talked of strange smells in the woods, painted children, and even alleged to have seen a baby sacrificed. 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. She also revealed that her ex-husband had once asked her sister point-blank if she suspected him in the killings. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. Jul. With the new evidence in hand alongside expert testimony that suggested the knife wounds and mutilation had been animal predation, Echols petitioned for a retrial. However, Misskelley wouldn't only confess in that police interview room. 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. eventAction: 'load' }); He was called a 'baby killer.'. "We are planning to move ahead and test this evidence using the latest DNA technology available to hopefully identify the real killer(s) of the three children in 1993, and exonerate Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jesse Misskelley.". The use of shoelaces had yet to be revealed to the public, yet Martin was eventually cleared of any involvement. It took 18 years, a deep probe into the criminal justice system, and the rallying of a 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. 1:53 Digital Original Motivations For Investigating The West Memphis Case 1:05 Preview The Story Of The West Memphis Teens Wrongfully Imprisoned 18 Years For Satanic Murder. Curiously, most of the injuries suffered by Byers were to the lower body, whereas the damage inflicted on Branch and Moore was primarily to the upper body. He was 62. Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley were accused of killing three eight-year-old boys: Chris Byers, Stevie Branch, and Michael Moore. From the murder of Shanda Sharer to the Columbine massacre, there was little that wasn't blamed on this new devilish culture. So, this tells me that this offender was someone they know," Clemente said. Yet Misskelley kept talking, confessing again on Feb. 4. After 3 years of fighting to get new evidence tested for DNA, the state says the WM3 petition should be tossed out and now, the attorneys are responding in court. In contrast, others contend he remained severely mentally ill and an immature teenager. He also theorized that the killer knew the victims because he was able to control three victims without any help.. Product was successfully added to your shopping cart. Police on the case felt that there were cult-like and satanic overtones to the murders. 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. Bike found near the "West Memphis Three" crime scene. "He had to spend this time because if he didn't, he would get caught. VEGA, Texas (KFDA) - Two people were killed and two others were injured after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 west of Vega. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' There is a vast difference between what most Satanists believe Satanism is and the popular perception of Satanism. With the addition of a 10-year suspended sentence, a probation type sentencing which meant if they did anything illegal they would be put back in jail, the West Memphis Three were sentenced to time served. pg.acq.push(function() { He showed several old scars from prior injuries. 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.". Attorney Patrick Benca, who represents defendant Damien Echols, wrote in a Wednesday statement that he located evidence from the case after being granted access to the police department through an Arkansas state court order, according to WREG. That changed on May 5, 1993, when three second-grade boys were reported missing. "Lawyers have to follow the law and when you file in the wrong place that's not my fault," said Attorney General Griffin.

Bradley Beck Funeral Times, Articles W