West Memphis Three Update
Previously I had discussed the case of the West Memphis Three. Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jesse Miskelley, 3 juveniles who were arrested and convicted for the brutal murder of 3 young boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. They were wrongfully accused, and convicted with absolutely zero evidence against them.
On December 1stm 2006, Mara Leveritt, author of Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three
Stidham to Leveritt: Other than the DNA testing issues, Damien Echols has exhausted his state appeals and is now in federal court on what is considered his final “stage” of appeals. While there are other ways that he could try and mount collateral attacks on his conviction, he is essentially down to the last appeal in Federal District Court.
Misskelley and Baldwin still have not exhausted their state appeals as they both have their Rule 37 Petitions still pending before Judge David Burnett. These include the ineffective assistance of counsel claims that Echols has already litigated. They have the beneft of being able to have whatever results we get from any of the DNA testing currently in progress prior to exhausting the last of their state appeals, and as such, are in a better position procedurally than Echols. Assuming that their last state appeals are unsuccessful, they, too, would move on to their “one shot” final appeal in federal court. source
Don't forget, Jesse Miskelley, a mildly retarded juvenile, was drilled by police for 12 hours without a parent or lawyer present, where-by only 45 minutes of the entire 'interview' was recorded, and conveniently enough, it was a confession to the murders implicating two of his friends. Jesse Miskelley and Jason Baldwin received life sentences, and Damien Echols, the 'mastermind' behind the so called 'satanic ritual killings,' sits on death row awaiting his execution.
Stidham to Leveritt: The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that since Mr. Misskelley was charged by the state as an “adult,” the juvenile code did not apply, thereby making his status as a juvenile inconsequential. Interestingly, had Misskelley been charged as a juvenile, with some lesser crime, he would have been entitled to the same “protections” afforded to other 17-year-olds, and his confession would have been “tossed out.” Since the confession was the only evidence offered against Misskelley at trial, the case would have been over before it started. source
My reason behind spending so much time posting about the WM3, is my strong belief that these kids, now grown men, have been flat out railroaded and falsely convicted. Also because of the fact that I was the same age as they were when this happened, and saw everything unfold as it happened, always thinking that eventually the evidence, or lack thereof, would clear their names.
There are numerous benefit concerts and events held every year to support and raise awareness. If you have the time, and want to visibly show your support, there will be a benefit concert held on Saturday, December 16, 2006.
Manium Warehouse
421 4th Ave.
Olympia, WA 98501
Saturday, December 16th
Doors open at 4:00pm
Show starts 4:30pm sharp
Performances by:
Millions of Dead Cops
H.I.V.
Leper
Down and Out
The Gnostics
The Syrens
CB-Militia
The Delusional
Sunset Riders
C.A.B.
Better Off Naked
Cap'n Knops
Occupied Nation
Still looking for an Xmas gift? Purchase a West Memphis Three Skateboard . $5 from the sale of each will be donated to the WM3 Defense Fund.
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