who killed the west memphis three

The discovery comes after West Memphis Police Chief Michael Pope resigned Tuesday. 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. So if the West Memphis Three aren't the real killers, who is? Sign up to receive breakingFront Page Detectivesnews and exclusive investigations. There's absolutely no indication of that in this case. The chief of police was not truthful. It can now be tested, to see who left DNA at the crime scene. Byers had a long history of run-ins with the law and been accused of multiple violent crimes. 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 Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were best friends. West Memphis Three However, he was far from the only person of intense interest with two other teenagers, Chris Morgan and Brian Holland, attracting early interest. From the murder of Shanda Sharer to the Columbine massacre, there was little that wasn't blamed on this new devilish culture. There was a sense of disconnect from society amongst many young people, with the counter-culture that produced grunge giving way to the metal They would have been local and have a violent history, be familiar with the victims, and were engaging in a personal cause when they killed the boys. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. These three would come to be known as the West Memphis Three. 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. True crime: The tragedy of the West Memphis Three Their clothing was found in the same creek, and some of it had been twisted around sticks that had been fixed into the muddy ditch bed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. West Memphis Three | Background & Trial ET. I think he spent more time on concealing the bodies and the clothing and the bikes than he did on the actual murders. I developed an overwhelming sense of being excluded from everything. Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley were accused of killing three eight-year-old boys: Chris Byers, Stevie Branch, and Michael Moore. A roll of toilet paper was soaked through with blood. In 2010, the West Memphis Three were granted to appear before the Arkansas Supreme Court based on the new DNA evidence and potential misconduct by the jury. Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. However, her description of the boy she nearly hit was inconsistent with either Branch, Byers or Moore, and it was, in fact, a fourth boy by the name of George Taylor. One of the charges of making terroristic threats was connected to a domestic dispute between him and his first wife, Sandra Byers, who accused him of threatening her life and assaulting her with an electronic stunning device. Then, after determining the boys final movements, Bob meets with a DNA expert to discuss new technology that might break the case wide open. But it seemed the story for the West Memphis Three was over. There is a vast difference between what most Satanists believe Satanism is and the popular perception of Satanism. 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. Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three Some believe the police immediately thought there was some level of occult involvement in the triple homicide, yet this isn't the case. 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. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' "I can't understand why exactly people are glossing over the obvious when it comes to Byers and the death of Melissa Byers and all the things that Byers has said and done since this trial," he said. In 1973, his parents had called the police to report that he was threatening them with a butcher knife. While the charges were expunged from his record, documents detailing them were found at the Crittenden County Court by journalist Mara Leveritt. It doesn't take much effort to get him to say or do anything at all.". He had an extensive collection of animal skulls, including dogs and cats and local rumors said that he had killed a dog, while no evidence was ever provided. He was muddy, bleeding, and brushed against the walls, leaving behind blood stains and feces on the walls, stall, and floor. Messed Up Truth About The West Memphis Three 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. The varying wounds included unrecognized bites, and possible stab wounds to his groin and castration, with some putting this down to animal predation. Based on the new information, the three men asked for an Alford plea, in which the defendant maintains their innocence, but acknowledge that prosecutors have evidence to convict them. Writing in his future memoir, "Life After Death," Echols would say, "Down here in the deep, dark South we know and live with the real world. 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. After 3 years of fighting to get new evidence tested for DNA, the state says the WM3 petition should be tossed out and now, the attorneys are responding in court. West Memphis Three Memphis VEGA, Texas (KFDA) - Two people were killed and two others were injured after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 west of Vega. Echols lawyer stated that new DNA evidence did not place him at the scene of the crime. They were released on Aug. 19, 2011. of the West Memphis Three Steve Edward Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore were all good kids. She was unable to say where this meeting was or who else was present. Benca said he hopes the evidence can be tested for DNA to help clear the name of his client, who along with Jason Baldwin and Jesse Misskelley Jr. was convicted of murder as a teenager in 1994. At the trial, the prosecution continued the claims of Satanic overtones, calling Dale W. Griffis of the unaccredited Columbia Pacific University distance learning school as an "expert" witness to affirm the killings were definitely occult related. Who Is The Real Killer Behind The 'West Memphis Three' Murders? pg.acq.push(function() { "He had to spend this time because if he didn't, he would get caught. The blade had blood on the hinge, and HBO ordered Berlinger and Sinofsky to hand the knife to West Memphis police. In statements under oath, the three witnesses say that Michael Hobbs told them, "My uncle killed three boys in West Memphis." True crime: The tragedy of the West Memphis Three hitType: 'event', However, it wouldn't only be many of the victims' families who were dissatisfied, with former FBI criminal profiler John E. Douglas saying the killings were likely the work of one individual whose intent was to degrade the victims. It took 18 years, a deep probe into the criminal justice system, and the rallying of a town. West Memphis Three Entering a plea of not guilty, Richard Ofshe testified that Misskelley's confession had been a "classic example" of police coercion. Echols, one of the West Memphis Three, and his legal team have hit another obstacle as they try to get the court's permission to test newly found evidence for DNA. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ 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. 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. Climber only named Misskelley, Baldwin and Echols. }); Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. Curiously, most of the injuries suffered by Byers were to the lower body, whereas the damage inflicted on Branch and Moore was primarily to the upper body. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. 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. Sometimes justice is neither pretty, nor is it perfect, but it was important to take this opportunity to be free.". Attorney General Griffin expects Echols' legal team to refile in Craighead County, but he said that it won't make a difference in the long run. West Memphis Three Messed Up Truth About The West Memphis Three VEGA, Texas (KFDA) - Two people were killed and two others were injured after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 west of Vega. He admitted the crime on June 3, June 11 and Aug. 19 and implicated others. After 18 years behind bars, they were freed. Who killed Stevie 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. 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. New evidence immediately began to come to light that cast even further doubts on the already shaky judgment and presented new and surprising suspects. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), This was a result of getting enraged, going too far, and then having to basically clean up the mess," he said. '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. 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. The friends rode over to Bobby Posey's house, where they learned Christopher had been whipped by his adoptive father, John Mark Byers, and planned to run away. The hair would tie in with a reported sighting of a "disoriented" man on the night of the boys' disappearance. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. If you found this interesting, you might also want to read about the study that finds black Americans are wrongfully convicted at a far greater rate. Devastating Photos Of Hiroshima Before And After The Atomic Bombing That Changed History Forever, Jury Finds Man Guilty Of Teaching Pug Nazi Salute [VIDEO], What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch, black Americans are wrongfully convicted at a far greater rate, woman who was convicted for locking her deaf sister in a room for seven years. 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. 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. The DNA of these three children is likely in that evidence," said Lonnie Soury, a member of Damien Echols' legal team. 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 Shelby County Sheriff's Office announced on Twitter that Byers had been killed in an accident on Chambers Road and Shakerag Road in the Millington area on Thursday evening and then died after he was transported to a local hospital. But in the process, the West Memphis Three get blamed for the crime they didn't commit. 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. The use of shoelaces had yet to be revealed to the public, yet Martin was eventually cleared of any involvement. 31 2021, Published 3:16 p.m. On the evening of May 5, 1993, three 8-year-old boys disappeared from the streets of West Memphis, Ark. The boys were naked and tied up by their shoelaces. The inherent belief in that line of thought eventually led to the arrest of 18-year-old Damien Echols, 17-year-old Jessie Misskelley Jr., and 16-year-old Jason Baldwin, three out-of-sorts teens who became popularly known as "The West Memphis Three.". Clemente noted there was no indication, forensically, that theres more than one offender involved because what happened to each of the victims was consistent. West Memphis Three Beyond his tales about Misskelley, Baldwin and Echols, Climber claimed to have beaten a police officer, hung a woman and sacrificed a second lady. They were 17, 16, and 18 years old respectively. As the rumors increased throughout the community, a Salem-like air descended as names continued to be associated with the alleged cult. Yet, the moral panic would culturally define the decade for many youths, lingering as the remnants of the "Satanic Panic" that led to many wrongful convictions a decade earlier. WebThe West Memphis Three were the first people in West Memphis, Arkansas who were accused of murdering the three young boys. During part two of the documentary special, Ruff sat down with retired FBI Supervisory Agent Jim Clemente, who created a suspect profile to help narrow down the possible suspect pool. Now, the attorneys are responding in court. 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). It took them 18 years to clear their names. The 'West Memphis Three' Murders Branch had 21 particular wounds, including a large gouge to the left side of his face, with Byers having 62 differing injuries. West Memphis Three eventAction: 'view' 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. The following afternoon, the bodies of Steve Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers were found by a muddy ditch. Echols, one of the West Memphis Three, and his legal team have hit another obstacle as they try to get the court's permission to test newly found evidence for DNA. 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. The West Memphis Police Department denied any connection in a statement to ABC 24 Memphis. }); When he was informed that the blood matched both his and Chris' blood type, he claimed he had no idea how the blood might have gotten on the knife before suggesting he might have left it out accidentally. Opinion remains divided on whether the right men were convicted or if the actual killers still walk the streets of West Memphis. A formal interview on May 9 led to further suspicion against the young man when he mentioned the damage to Byer's genitals, something seen as incriminating. Get all the latest information on Events, Sales and Offers. 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. A second hair found at the scene was consistent with his friend, David Jacoby. 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. Meanwhile, at the Marion Police Department, Detective Don Bray was attempting to administer a polygraph test to Vicki Hutcheson, who had recently moved to the city. Who Killed The Forgotten West Memphis Three? 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 'West Memphis Three' Murders and "Do you know who killed those three boys?". 31 2021, Published 3:16 p.m. Messed Up Truth About The West Memphis Three He even said that he saw John Mark Byers assisting in the killings. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ 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. He was 62. Jones, the assistant juvenile probation officer, was one of the chief voices pushing the line alongside his supervisor Jerry Blackwood Driver. Who, then, was responsible for the brutal murders and mutilations of three young children? West Memphis Three Equally, it was widely known he threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend's father, yet those who had taken against him left out that this was through a fear that the father was going to assault his daughter. Both men were increasingly concerned about the potential for human sacrifices when it was a full moon. 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). All three pleaded innocent at the trial and maintained that innocence ever since. To prove his innocence, he agreed and passed a polygraph test during the filming of 'Paradise Lost 2: Revelations,' only for the documentary to throw doubts on the results by revealing he was under the influence of several psychoactive prescription medications that could have affected the test results. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), "We are trying to find the real killers. Despite suspicion eventually falling away from Byers, Jason Baldwin praised the "Paradise Lost" documentaries as essential to their case, telling the "National Podcast of Texas" in 2019 that "The documentary saved my life, saved Damien's life, and saved Jessie's life. In many respects, the reaction to these new youth movements was nothing new, with the metal bands of the 1970s and 80s having faced similar condemnation as "the Devil's music." The time spent to conceal them could have been skipped completely if there was no known relationship to the victims, Clemente told Ruff. "I want to live and to continue to fight for our innocence. The 'West Memphis Three' Murders He showed several old scars from prior injuries. Branch and Moores bikes were discovered on either side of a pipe bridge not far from the crime scene. 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. Yet Misskelley kept talking, confessing again on Feb. 4. "Chief Pope's resignation is completely unrelated to the West Memphis three rumors being sent out on social media," the statement reads. West Memphis Three Bike found near the "West Memphis Three" crime scene. 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). The deals disappointed both those who still believed the three guilty and their supporters, with many feeling the bargain made them look guilty. 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. The new documentary focused on the bite marks, with the prosecution arguing that the marking seen on Christopher Byers' face in photographs is from a belt buckle and not teeth. March 3, 2023, at 3:19 p.m. Video Shows Memphis Jailers Beating Black Inmate Who Died. "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.". eventAction: 'load' Nevertheless, this is a complete delaying tactic," Soury explained. He also theorized that the killer knew the victims because he was able to control three victims without any help.. Moore was the group leader and, like his best friends, a proud cub scout, wearing his uniform even when not at meetings. let gads_event; ", 'Very open to the idea': Julia Wandelt takes DNA test to verify if she is missing Swiss girl Livia Schepp, Kayla Lemieux: Teacher with prosthetic Z-cup breasts suspended WITH PAY after pics show her dressed as man, 'We have lots to reveal': Madeleine McCann lookalike Julia Wandelt posts footage of meeting with PI probing claims, Lindsay Clancy case: Psychologist reveals psychosis red flags family members could have spotted, Horror at Larchwood Care! 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.". VEGA, Texas (KFDA) - Two people were killed and two others were injured after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 west of Vega. Martin molested both of his stepchildren a son and a daughter over four years, serving just three years in the Colorado State Penitentiary. "The chief of police was not truthful," Echols tweeted on Wednesday. killed Grandmother with dementia died from face wound neglected by staff for days. Despite the alarming inconsistencies and recanting his confession, saying that he was fatigued, threatened and intimidated, police quickly arrested Echols and Baldwin. Everywhere you look, you see people with things that you do not have, and it has a profound mental effect. He also initially claimed Echols had choked one victim until he was told that none of the boys had been strangled. Meanwhile, police questioned Misskelley alone, despite the suspect only having an IQ of 72. West Memphis Three In 2000, Berlinger and Sinofsky would produce "Paradise Lost 2: Revelations," a sequel to their 1996 film. Echols filed a petition, which was not granted, but then the decision was overturned by the Arkansas Supreme Court. It went too far, and because of that, he had to kill all three of them," he said. 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. He took one of them I don't know which one cut him on I think it was on this side of his face.". Back with the search, the main focus was Robin Hood Hills near where witnesses last saw the trio, and that morning Branch andMoore's bikes were found next to a pipe bridge that crossed the bayou. On one occasion, she said she was with her son all day; on another that he left home around 4 p.m. Their trial, which included connection to West Memphis Three Every piece is still there https://t.co/8tzxOWjZLH, - Damien Echols (@damienechols) December 21, 2021. 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