West Memphis Three

[chickenscratching]

Hello All.
I find it interesting that with how intriguing the WM3 case is, that I rarely hear it talked about, let alone on the news.
I'm putting this post up because I know most of you are aware of all the fuckedupped-ness going on this crazy country and that it's difficult to achieve any kind of solution it seems.


For anyone that isn't aware of this case, and people that have forgotten, it's still being fought and we can help to fight it. Please check out the info I posted and the site, it's a bit of a long read but it's worth it. Also, check out the Paradise Lost films.

www.wm3.org

General info:


Shortly after three eight-year-old boys were found mutilated and murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas, local newspapers stated the killers had been caught. The police assured the public that the three teenagers in custody were definitely responsible for these horrible crimes. Evidence?

The same police officers coerced an error-filled “confession” from Jessie Misskelley Jr., who is mentally handicapped. They subjected him to 12 hours of questioning without counsel or parental consent, audio-taping only two fragments totaling 46 minutes. Jessie recanted it that evening, but it was too late— Misskelley, Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols were all arrested on June 3, 1993, and convicted of murder in early 1994.

Although there was no physical evidence, murder weapon, motive, or connection to the victims, the prosecution pathetically resorted to presenting black hair and clothing, heavy metal t-shirts, and Stephen King novels as proof that the boys were sacrificed in a satanic cult ritual. Unfathomably, Echols was sentenced to death, Baldwin received life without parole, and Misskelley got life plus 40.

For over 11 years, The West Memphis Three have been imprisoned for crimes they didn’t commit. Echols waits in solitary confinement for the lethal injection our tax dollars will pay for. They were all condemned by their poverty, incompetent defense, satanic panic and a rush to judgment.

But there’s still hope for them, and you can help.

(this is from the WM3 homepage) http://www.wm3.org/

even more horrible, every appeal that has been made to the courts has been denied, however this means that the case is getting closer to being tried in the federal courts.

[Samurai_Writer]

1. I'm surprised Damien Echols is still alive...

I am very involved in the WM3. I do fundraisers for their legal defense and also do media blitzes. But you are right, this case has been swept under the rug by the media. HBO did two excellent documentaries on them. The three people who founded wm3.org are amazing people who have put their entire lives into this case. I do urge everyone to go to wm3.org and look over all the court documents. It will make your hair stand on end the injustice that has befallen these 3 young men.

Peace,
Bella

[chickenscratching]

2. thank you

thank you so much-
could you give me some advice on how to help the WM3, I know the site gives a lot of ideas, but if you have any other pointers, I would love to know more.

[Samurai_Writer]

3. It depends on how much time and money you want to commit...

just passing out flyers in mall parking lots is a start. or writing letters to the editor, faxing public service announcements to radio stations to read on the air, doing fundraisers (small or large), etc.

[johnnie]

4. It is an amazing case

After reading about it in out True Crimes forum (hint hint), I started reading more about it. I have heard OF it but never really looked into it in detail.
First, those poor kids. It is horrible what was done to those little ones. It blows my mind that people can do that to other people, let alone children.
Secondly, I find it hard to understand how this case is being continuously swept under the rug. Even one of the parents think the three in prison should not be there. I've tried to look at the prosecutions case as much as possible, but have yet to see anything that implicates the three guys in prison. Maybe I am missing something.

[Chovexani]

5. Watch the HBO documentaries

They will blow your mind. I first heard about the case from a Pagan activist group because, at the time of the murders, Echols was a Wiccan and that was used by the Witchfinder General...er, the Prosecutor...to basically inflame the jury against him.

This was before the follow-up documentary was filmed, so I just saw the first one when it came on HBO again, and I just cried and cried. I also read True Crime boards and what not and I don't think I've ever seen such a miscarriage of justice. As a black-clad weirdo and a Pagan that case scared the shit out of me, because it could have been me or almost any of my friends railroaded like that. Thank Cthulhu I was born in NYC.

If you haven't watched the docs I highly suggest you do so. The second one in particular seems to point very strongly to that batshit crazy stepfather of one of the victims as the killer.

[peekaloo]

6. That "batshit crazy stepfather" sent a shiver through me.

I can't remember how closely/thoroughly the police looked at this guy.

[AlCzervik]

8. That guy had his teeth extracted, fucking nuts.

[chickenscratching]

12. and...

did you see the second paradise lost where he gave reporters three different reasons for his teeth being extracted?
and how coincidental that his wife 'mysteriously' died?
jesus...

[johnnie]

7. I don't have HBO

I am going to see if I can purchase them somewhere.
I thought it was "funny" that not only did they point out that he was a Wiccan, but he read "satanic" books that were written by such demonic authors as: Ann Rule, Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I was like ...wtf?

[peekaloo]

9. Amazon has them. Paradise Lost/ Paradise Lost 2

aka The Robin Hood Hills Murders

[johnnie]

10. OK thanks

I will check it out.

[chickenscratching]

13. btw..

i think the first paradise lost has been discontinued, so you might have to look for it at a video store or maybe netflix.

[southlandshari]

14. Come on over, the water's warm!

I started the WM3 thread in the DU True Crime discussion group that Johnnie mentioned, and would love to see more discussion from all of you.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=313&topic_id=175#296

[chickenscratching]

15. oh i wish!

i would so muchlove to talk to you guys about WM3, unfortunately I have not become a donor yet so i can't come in, despite the warmth of the water.... :(

[southlandshari]

16. First donation

I made my first donation not too long ago - all I could afford and it was pretty modest, but I felt so good doing it, given the great forums and food for thought DU has provided me during the past year. There are several discussion groups I visit regularly now (though am still as active in the "big" forums as ever). They are really a great place to find a sense of unity with others who have common interests, backgrounds, etc... Definitely worth the "price of admission" whenever you feel you can make a donation!

[derby378]

11. And still, to this day...

...there are people who will swear up and down that the WM3 are all bloodthirsty Satanists, and that John Mark Byers is perfectly sane and completely harmless.

BTW, Henry Rollins release the Rise Above compilation to help raise money for and awareness of the WM3. Covers of Black Flag tunes with help from members of Motorhead, Slayer, Queens of the Stone Age, Mars Volta, Circle Jerks, etc. Great CD.