Update: Convicted Killer, Damien Echols Speaks Out About New Developments

Three 8-year-old boys lost their innocence on May 5, 1993 when they were brutally murdered.

Three teenagers were convicted; Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley. Many believe though it's a double tragedy.

Today's THV spoke with Echols from death row. He says, "It's like being in absolute terror and being numb at the same time."

For many people, this haunting crime leaves more questions than answers more than 16 years later.

Echols explains, "You know even though I am in this prison, I am surrounded by the love of the people that care about me and are helping me through this situation."

One of the victim's step-fathers under oath stated that he'd never seen his step-son or the other two boys the day of the murders. But there's been some new developments. Three new sworn statements show something different.

The claims are from Terry Hobbs' neighbors; a woman and her two daughters.

One states, "Between 5:30 p.m. And 6:30 p.m., I saw Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers playing in my backyard. I am absolutely, completely and totally positive that I saw Terry Hobbs hollering at Stevie, Michael and Christopher to get back down to the Hobbs' house at approximately 6:30 pm."

The affidavits also claim a hair ties Hobbs to the crime scene.

"It's one of those things that you get, I get a little excited about, but at the same time this has been drug out for so long in the past. It's not going to come to a conclusion quickly. I know that. It has already been 16 and a half years and I just try to stay calm and remain patient and not get my hopes too high," says Echols.

Echols says it will likely take a federal court to look at the case before he'll be given a new trial. His arrest, he calls was a rush to judgment. As for his conviction, he calls it an injustice.

"I have been here for, I've lost count, somewhere between 20 and 25, 28 executions. I can't even keep count anymore and you don't get used to it, ever."

Today's THV tried to get into touch with Terry Hobbs for comment but were referred to his lawyer who was not available.

Meantime, you may be asking why the three women just came forward. They say they were never questioned by police at the beginning and were unaware, until now, of Hobbs' recent statement that he hadn't seen the boys the day of the murders.

Two of the three victim's families have now come forward in support of the so-called West Memphis Three. Be sure to watch for more from Damien Echols in the coming weeks on Today's THV as we dig deeper into this story.

More On The New Developments

According to the affidavits, Hobbs was calling loudly at the children and ordering them to return to his house. (Click here to read the affidavits. PDF)

Jamie Clark Ballard, who lived three doors down from Terry and Pam Hobbs, has supplied a sworn affidavit, as have both her mother and her sister. Ballard was 13 at the time and the boys were 8. She is now 21.

Ballard says in her affidavit that Hobbs was yelling at the boys to come home and it appeared they were headed in that direction before she left for church. She said they returned home from church at about 8 p.m., and that she didn't see any kids outside nor Terry Hobbs. She says, "I had no idea that the kids were missing. There was no evidence that there was a search going on for the little boys."

The affidavit continues, "Following the murders, the police never came to interview me or my family. In fact, after the murders, I do not recall ever seeing any police vehicles on my street or seeing any police interviewing any of the people in my neighborhood."

Damien Echols' case is currently under appeal in the Arkansas Supreme court seeking a new trial based upon new evidence. (Click here for affidavit. PDF)

Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley are serving life sentences. s