3 months ago
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Across Arkansas and really across the world, the discussions continue 16 years later about whether the men are guilty or innocent. One thing they can agree on is how this famous case forever changed the city.
West Memphis, Arkansas is a crossroads of two major interstates. It's a small city with quaint shops and churches practically on every corner. Even so, it's a town filled with deep scars after what many believe was bad police work and a negative depiction in two HBO documentaries.
"I feel sorry for West Memphis," says author Mara Leveritt. "It not only suffered the murders; it has now suffered a lot as a result of how the murders were handled."
Leveritt has studied the case from the beginning, interviewed key players and told the story in a book, titled the Devil's Knot.
She explains, "I know the judge has said several times he is so sorry he let the cameras in there because it showed people what was happening in that trial and they couldn't believe it."
Still, Levreitt says because of the films, the West Memphis Three has received world-wide attention.
"There have been hundreds of people killed in the name of religion," said Fmr. Prosecuting Attorney John Fogleman at the Echols/Baldwin trial in 1994.
"The West Memphis Police Department did a botched job just to get these boys arrested," said Echols' mother Pam.
There've been rallies at the state capitol, dedicated internet sites and several celebrity supporters; like actress Winona Ryder, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam and the Dixie Chicks.
"People say that people don't care any more; this situation proves that they do," explains Echols' wife Lorri.
Natalie Pasdar of the Dixie Chicks visited the Arkansas' State Capitol in 2007. She explained, "When you see the films and when you go to the website and you learn about the case and all the evidence that's out now, you just feel like what can I do?"
Lorri Davis, who married Echols years after his conviction, believes key players have built their careers on this case.
She says, "I think there is just a great protectiveness that we can take care of our own, we didn't do anything wrong. What I say to that is step up and be a hero. You are not going to be condemned."
Prosecutor Brent Davis is now a Circuit Judge. The former lead detective on the case is running for Crittenden County Sheriff. Prosecutor John Fogleman is running for a seat on the Arkansas Supreme Court. There's also speculation of a possible State Senate run for Judge David Burnett.
Davis says, "If it were tried today and we knew what we know today on all three cases, there is no way they would have been convicted."
Despite repeated and countless attempts by Today's THV, police and prosecutors won't comment on the case. They stand by the decision of two juries and their investigation.
Juror William Billingsley says, "It was very difficult because I was not put on the jury to try to play God or play executioner."
Still many questions remain, like the suspicious man seen the night of the murders. According to police, he walked into a West Memphis restaurant, what used to be Bojangles, covered in blood and mud. Detectives took scrapings from the bathroom.
"Then at trial when the defense team asked about that the police said, well we lost all that evidence," explains Leveritt.
If the 8-year-old boys would have lived they'd be in their mid 20's. Instead, a memorial now stands at their elementary school. Two of the kids' homes are vacant and boarded up. The crime scene, Robin Hood Hills is now gone. The boys who played together and died together are now separated. Michael Moore's resting place is in Arkansas, Stevie Branch is in Missouri and Christopher Byers is in Tennessee.
"One thing I know for sure, he wouldn't be in a grave in a cemetery in a headstone. There would be more to his life than that," says Byers' father John Mark Byers.
As for the three convicted, the 16, 17 and 18 year olds are now men in their thirties.
"I have seen them go from teenagers to practically balding," explains Leveritt.
"It's been so long since I've talked to either one of them, practically a lifetime," explains Echols about Jessie Misskelley Jr. and Jason Baldwin.
Echols' home, where police arrested him, is now an empty shell. His only child is grown.
Echols says, "I have a son who is now almost the same age I was when I was sent here."
Sixteen years have passed. Many will always believe the West Memphis Three are guilty, while others work to get them freed.
Leveritt adds, "Now if you want to have a fair trial and these three convicted again then so be it, but let's not do it calling what we had any kind of fairness."
The Arkansas Supreme Court is currently reviewing the new DNA evidence as well as juror misconduct to determine whether to grant Damien Echols a new trial. Baldwin and Misskelley are seeking a new trial in Craighead County based on ineffective legal counsel.
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel recently filed a legal response to the Supreme Court in Echols' appeal for a new trial saying there's no need to re-examine his conviction.
Watch the full interview with author Mara Leveritt.
Monday, we started from the beginning when Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley were sent to prison. It could have all ended there, but for some that moment was just the beginning.
Tuesday night, we heard from Damien Echols on death row, who described "being in absolute terror and being numb at the same time." We also streamed Echols' extended interview.
