DNA could clear 'Satanic' triple murder teenagers

The Guardian ^ | 11/04/07 | Paul Harris

[49th]

The horrific crime shocked a nation. Three young boys, cub scouts, were tied up, murdered and their naked bodies dumped in a drainage ditch.

As a Deep South community bayed for justice, attention focused on a group of misfit teenagers, heavy metal fans accused of killing the children in a Satanic ritual. The case became a sensation at a time when a 'Satanic panic' over cults was gripping 1990s America. All three were found guilty. Jason Baldwin, then 16, and Jessie Misskelley, 17, got life sentences. Damien Echols, 18, was put on death row, where he remains.

Now evidence, including DNA samples, has emerged to suggest the real killers are still at large and that three innocent men have been behind bars for almost 15 years. 'No reasonable juror would convict... knowing what we know today,' said defence lawyer Dennis Riordan.

The facts were simple enough. The victims - Christopher Byers, Steve Branch and James Moore - were last seen riding their bikes on 5 May, 1993. Their bodies, tied with shoelaces, were discovered a day later near the Arkansas town of West Memphis, close to the Mississippi river. They were only a few miles from home. Police were shocked by the terrible knife wounds and signs of torture and concluded that some sort of cult ritual had occurred. Attention quickly focused on the town misfits. Under pressure, Misskelley confessed to the killings and all three were found guilty.

Now lawyers for Echols have lodged new evidence seeking to prove his innocence. The case against the West Memphis Three appears to have been more about rushed police work and hyped-up paranoia over non-existent Satanism than evidence. The suspects were just unfortunate to be social outcasts and to like rock music.

[TNdandelion]

If I remember the case correctly, the step father was not a police officer. At least not at the time. I've always thought that someone else was involved in the case (step father seemed suspicious) besides these three guys.

Damien Echols, however, is more than just a little weird. He also seemed to enjoy the attention--until he got to prison and became someone's b*tch. He's complained many times about prison rape.

[TNdandelion]

LOL I would also point out that technically, we are part of the Mid-South. Not the Deep South. But they are across the pond—what do they know?

[therut]

We BAYED. Really.

[Clemenza]

I remember the mass of "satanic" killings in the 1980s. Much like the "child molestation at day care centers" they were driven by scumbag journalists and blood thirsty morons among the masses without any regard for truth.

So, tell me, is there ANYONE out there who actually believes there was "satanism running amuck" in the 1980s? Did you REALLY believe that Ozzy and Rob Halford were telling good American kids to worship the devil and kill their classmates?

[monday]

“Sounds like a rehash of the evidence presented at the trial and the so-called DNA links sound bogus. The teens liked rock n’ roll, so that’s good enough for me.”

Actually, most pedophiles don’t like rock music. You sound like a better suspect than they do. Where were you when this happened?

[Lancey Howard]

Har! You can tell time is running out for the one on death row - - Euro-scum death-penaly activists and lawyers are starting to crawl out of the woodwork.

[Lancey Howard]

Onion Fields; Tookie; Mumia; Sadam; Osama; MadMo... the list keeps growing.

Don't forget prison poet and author Jack Henry Abbott.

[UCANSEE2]

Let’s see. Did the Clintons have any connection with West Memphis, AK ???? Did Billyboy have any ‘connections’ to West Memphis????

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2889/is_50_35/ai_59520662/pg_1

[Krankor]

Actually, most pedophiles don’t like rock music. You sound like a better suspect than they do. Where were you when this happened?
Mmmmm. How come you know so much about pedophiles?