Who Is The Real Killer Behind The 'West Memphis Three' Murders? I think he spent more time on concealing the bodies and the clothing and the bikes than he did on the actual murders. 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. 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. "Chief Pope's resignation is completely unrelated to the West Memphis three rumors being sent out on social media," the statement reads. It took 18 years, a deep probe into the criminal justice system, and the rallying of a town. On the evening of May 5, 1993, three 8-year-old boys disappeared from the streets of West Memphis, Ark. }); The documentary was filmed on 79 days over ten months up to the point of the West Memphis Three's conviction. One of the few pieces of forensic evidence recovered at the scene was a hair belonging to a Black male found on a sheet that had been used to wrap one of the victims. We will fully comply with any lawful request made regarding this case.". Jul. He said the evidence, which he claims city officials previously told him was lost, destroyed or missing, was found intact and organized. He even said that he saw John Mark Byers assisting in the killings. The Story Of The West Memphis Teens Wrongfully Imprisoned 18 Years For Satanic Murder. 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. No semen was found at the scene, and there was no evidence of molestation. 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. We are one of the worlds fastest growing That's mostly during the teenage years.". It took 18 years, a deep probe into the criminal justice system, and the rallying of a 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). Who Is The Real Killer Behind The 'West Memphis Three' Murders? pg.acq.push(function() { ET. Offers may be subject to change without notice. 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. Talking with police and his lawyer present in the room, he would ignore advice from his counsel to remain silent and detailed how the West Memphis Three had abused and murdered the victims. Sign up to receive breakingFront Page Detectivesnews and exclusive investigations. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) A former Memphis Fire Department emergency medical technician told a Tennessee board Friday that officers impeded patient care by refusing to remove Tyre Nichols ' handcuffs, which would have allowed EMTs to check his vital signs after he was brutally beaten by police. 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. Jones, the assistant juvenile probation officer, was one of the chief voices pushing the line alongside his supervisor Jerry Blackwood Driver. 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). }); 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. The autopsy in full is harrowing reading, with Moore receiving 63 specific wounds, including ten skull fractures. eventAction: 'click_adunit' All three were second-grade pupils at Weaver Elementary School, with Branch being an honor student. Whose blood was on the knife was uncertain as it matched both Byers and the victim, both having the same HLA-DQ genotype. and "Do you know who killed those three boys?". 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. One of those people would be Pamela Hobbs. A second hair found at the scene was consistent with his friend, David Jacoby. 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. Morgan was an ice cream truck driver and would likely have been familiar with all three victims. Attempting to shelter from a storm, the two broke into a trailer and were charged with burglary and sexual misconduct. Who killed Stevie Police noted he knew at least one of the victims by name and was on vacation the week the murders took place. "We are pleased that the evidence is intact," Benca said, according to WREG. media-tech companies with hubs around the world. All three were convicted, not based on evidence but by a "twisted portrayal of their character", given sentences varying from death to life in prison, and then eventually exonerated following the advent of improved DNA technology. 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. Kara Goldfarb is a writer living in New York City. Hobbs retrieved a .357 magnum pistol from his truck and shot Jackie Hicks, Pamela Hobbs' brother. It was rumor and innuendo, overheard gossip and allegations. Toggle dark mode In statements under oath, the three witnesses say that Michael Hobbs told them, "My uncle killed three boys in West Memphis." Grandmother with dementia died from face wound neglected by staff for days. Judge David Burnett, the original trial judge, disallowed the presentation of the new information in his court in 2008, citing the DNA tests as inconclusive. My attorney was in the evidence room this morning and saw it with his own eyes. By Benjamin H. Smith Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three? Christopher Byers' father, Rick Murray, was one of the early voices to speak out against the West Memphis Three's convictions, with Pamela Hobbs perhaps becoming the most vocal. All Rights Reserved. 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 Then, after determining the boys final movements, Bob meets with a DNA expert to discuss new technology that might break the case wide open. That changed on May 5, 1993, when three second-grade boys were reported missing. document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',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. Driver's comments surrounding the case raised troubling questions over his competence to serve, stating he believed Echols and his girlfriend intended to sacrifice their expectant child to Satan. Taylor's presence suggests that at 4:30 p.m., Branch and Moore had not yet found their friend Byers. However, he was far from the only person of intense interest with two other teenagers, Chris Morgan and Brian Holland, attracting early interest. Autopsies revealed that Byers died of multiple injuries, while the other two boys died of multiple injuries with drowning. gads_event = event; Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. The first of that evidence emerged during the filming of HBO's 1996 documentary on the case: 'Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills.'. 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. Echols was from a poor background and struggled both with poverty and his mental health, having been institutionalized for several months after considering suicide. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Soon after, witness, Narlene Hollingsworth, reported she saw three boys riding bikes, almost hitting one when he rode out in front of her car. pg.acq.push(function() { Local community members also rallied in support of the three, believing that their initial trial was unfair and handled incorrectly. } How the three died wasn't the same, with Moore and Branch being killed by multiple injuries and then drowning, with Byers dying of blood loss and not being drowned. But their innocence did leave investigators back at square one. In statements under oath, the three witnesses say that Michael Hobbs told them, "My uncle killed three boys in West Memphis." Suspicion toward John Mark Byers would only increase when the bite marks on Steve Branch's forehead were discovered. ga('ads.send', { hitType: 'event', They did not kill my son.. "But I didn't wear hats back then; my hair could have blown around anywhere.". "The chief of police was not truthful," Echols tweeted on Wednesday. He explained that the particular petition they filed is not up for interpretation and ultimately is not within their rights. 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. Like John Mark Byers, Hobbs was a wifebeater. He was 62. 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. Aaron was restless, and Bray was unable to properly administer the polygraph. "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.". Toggle dark mode 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. "We are trying to find the real killers. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were best friends. 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 The plea deal was accepted. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Clemente noted there was no indication, forensically, that theres more than one offender involved because what happened to each of the victims was consistent. YoutubeMugshots of the West Memphis Three. 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.". Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. She described a cult meeting involving Echols, Misskelley and about eight other youths. The gruesome nature of their deaths led both police and the community to theorize that there had been a satanic element involved something that wasn't too farfetched in the "Bible Belt, where Satanic Panic" was at its peak. During the filming, Byers had given cameraman Doug Cooper a hunting knife which makers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky handed over to the police after discovering what appeared to be blood on it. 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." A subsequent search quickly found the bodies of Branch, Byers and When three boys turn up murdered, a small town is desperate to find the killer. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' There is a strong Christian identity, and crime is an issue, but the behavior of Echols, in particular, would have drawn comment everywhere. The following afternoon, the bodies of Steve Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were found by a muddy ditch. But in the process, the West Memphis Three get blamed for the crime they didn't commit. Despite the continuing doubts over the testimony, police pulled in Misskelley on June 3 alongside two other alleged cult members, Ricky Climer and Alvis Bly. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), They drew pentagrams, skulls, and snakes on art materials and surprised those at a football game by arriving dressed in black with black tears painted on their faces. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. Beyond his tales about Misskelley, Baldwin and Echols, Climber claimed to have beaten a police officer, hung a woman and sacrificed a second lady. 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. "Lawyers have to follow the law and when you file in the wrong place that's not my fault," said Attorney General Griffin. How seriously anyone took the Mulder and Scully of West Memphis is uncertain, but they certainly took Echols seriously. if(document.querySelector("#google_image_div")){ They were 17, 16, and 18 years old respectively. Eventually, three local teenagers, Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley, and Jason Baldwin, were zeroed in on as the prime suspects. Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. In statements under oath, the three witnesses say that Michael Hobbs told them, "My uncle killed three boys in West Memphis." ga('ads.send', { 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. Another story claimed Aaron saw a mass of "The Dragons," an alleged coven with five members, spoke Spanish and sang about Satan. They had a daughter together, Amanda Hobbs, who was 4 years old at the time of her brothers death. 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, Baldwin, and Misskelley were accused of killing three eight-year-old boys: Chris Byers, Stevie Branch, 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. 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. The case for his guilt was put forward by Echols himself in Peter Jackson's 'West of Memphis.' Both Echols and Misskelley had dropped out of high school, while Baldwin continued to achieve high grades, making the pair something of an odd couple, known for their involvement in petty crimes such as vandalism. 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. 1:53 Digital Original Motivations For Investigating The West Memphis Case 1:05 Preview Branch and Moores bikes were discovered on either side of a pipe bridge not far from the crime scene. However, that isn't quite the truth. Then read about the woman who was convicted for locking her deaf sister in a room for seven years. 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. 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. The story of the West Memphis Three traces back to 1993, set in the city of West Memphis, Arkansas. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), For the state, the Alford pleas were a face-saving exercise. Byers submitted dental records that showed the marks on the body didn't match his original teeth and subsequently passed a polygraph during the documentary's filming. But it seemed the story for the West Memphis Three was over. Damien Echols was sentenced to death, Jessie Misskelley Jr. to life imprisonment plus two 20-year sentences, and Jason Baldwin to life imprisonment. 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. Echols, 36, had been on death row, while Baldwin, 34, and Misskelley, 36, were serving life sentences. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. 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. VEGA, Texas (KFDA) - Two people were killed and two others were injured after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 west of Vega. They allowed police and other workers to walk through the creek, trampling possible evidence such as footprints, and equally failed to drain the water quickly to preserve other evidence. The condition of the bodies led to the initial belief the three had been raped and then killed. Copyright 2023 Empire Media Group, Inc. Front Page Detectives is a registered trademark. When three boys turn up murdered, a small town is desperate to find the killer. Product was successfully added to your shopping cart. On one occasion, she said she was with her son all day; on another that he left home around 4 p.m. Here's when clocks will 'spring forward' in 2023, Arkansas Supreme Court chief justice announces departure from WM3 case, West Memphis Three continue fight to get DNA tested. Jul. The DNA of these three children is likely in that evidence," said Lonnie Soury, a member of Damien Echols' legal team. To this day, it is still unclear who is responsible for the brutal murders, and in hopes of uncovering new potential leads, investigative podcaster Bob Ruff reexamined the case in . 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. 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. }); 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. Their trial, which included Sometimes justice is neither pretty, nor is it perfect, but it was important to take this opportunity to be free.". }); 'Feels Like Home:' electrical failure from a light fixture caused December fire that killed 1, Shelby County reporting an increase in drug-related overdoses, largely due to fentanyl, Severe weather threat is over | Prepare for a sunny weekend, Daylight saving time starts soon. 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. },false) Equally, Pamela's sister Jo Lynn McCaughey saw Hobbs washing clothes, bed linens, and curtains from Steve's room around the time of the killings. VEGA, Texas (KFDA) - Two people were killed and two others were injured after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 west of Vega. 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. 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.". 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. Then, after determining the boys final movements, Bob meets with a DNA expert to discuss new technology that might break the case wide open. By Benjamin H. Smith Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three? Who killed Stevie Over the nine years since their release, there have been dozens of theories that pointed to other suspects who could have been behind the deaths of Christopher, Michael, and Steve. He was called a 'baby killer.'. Two of the boys' underwear, however, was missing. How much of Echols reputation came down to his mental illness and how much teenage desire to shock is open to debate. While Morgan, Holland and "Mr. Bojangles" already seem to have more against them than Echols, the police were now focusing solely on the one angle and one suspect, getting Vicki Hutcheson to agree to have her home wired. 1:53 Digital Original Motivations For Investigating The West Memphis Case 1:05 Preview The hair would tie in with a reported sighting of a "disoriented" man on the night of the boys' disappearance. Well, it minimizes the package a little bit and makes it easier to control after they're dead.. }); But what is the purpose of that? 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. Ultimately, the judge will make a final ruling on whether to proceed. Nine days later, Misskelley would confess again. Misskelley confessed during the interrogation but later took rescinded it, stating that he did it out our fear and intimidation. 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. Subsequent interviews with Vicki Hutcheson were just as contradictory. Echols, 36, had been on death row, while Baldwin, 34, and Misskelley, 36, were serving life sentences. A roll of toilet paper was soaked through with blood. During one visit to the station, officers used photographs of Echols, Misskelley and Baldwin for dart practice, having made their minds up about their guilt long before their arrests. New evidence immediately began to come to light that cast even further doubts on the already shaky judgment and presented new and surprising suspects. All three achieved the rank of "Wolf," and Moore had his blue Boy Scouts of America shirt and Boy Scout hat on as he ventured out on his bicycle. },false) Despite the alarming inconsistencies and recanting his confession, saying that he was fatigued, threatened and intimidated, police quickly arrested Echols and Baldwin. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { Youtube Mugshots of the West Memphis Three. The Brotherhood group he identified himself as being associated with had committed multiple homicides. His behavior as it became apparent Echols, Misskelley, and Baldwin would be cleared of the murders, was questioned as well. With John Mark Byers ruled out, revelations in 2007 would point in a new direction equally close to home. March 3, 2023, at 3:19 p.m. Video Shows Memphis Jailers Beating Black Inmate Who Died. 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. In 2000, Berlinger and Sinofsky would produce "Paradise Lost 2: Revelations," a sequel to their 1996 film. So if the West Memphis Three aren't the real killers, who is? And while both Michael and Steve had bruises across their body, Christopher had suffered the most gruesome injuries and had lacerations to various parts of his body, and mutilation to his scrotum and penis. 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. There was a sense of disconnect from society amongst many young people, with the counter-culture that produced grunge giving way to the metal of Rob Zombie, Korn, Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails. 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. Was there a serial killer still on the loose in Arkansas? Youtube Mugshots of the West Memphis Three. This was a result of getting enraged, going too far, and then having to basically clean up the mess," he said. The varying wounds included unrecognized bites, and possible stab wounds to his groin and castration, with some putting this down to animal predation. }); Now, the attorneys are responding in court. 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. Both knew Misskelley from school but were hardly considered friends, Misskelley having a reputation for violence. Friends and family tried in vain to find the missing boys. 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. Meanwhile, police questioned Misskelley alone, despite the suspect only having an IQ of 72. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { Three teenage boys convicted of the 1993 murders of three boys in West Memphis, Arkansas, Thailand's 'most beautiful transgender woman' and husband wear $580K in attire at extravagant wedding, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; 'We are coming,' sheriff says, U.S. court won't require FAA to make airplane seat size, spacing rules, Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh's new mugshot revealed after double life sentence, Rebel Wilson says she was banned from Disneyland for 30 days for taking a bathroom selfie, SoCal in for cool start to weekend, but light rain makes brief return, CHONK: State champion quartet prepping for show this weekend, Opinion: Fix loophole that increases copay costs for prescription drugs, Ambulancia para pacientes "posedos" lleva psiclogos y exorcistas en Bolivia.
