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 13 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.

Jun
11

From Lorri & Damien: Please Donate to the Defense Fund

Dear Friends and Supporters:

The news on the case front is very encouraging. In December a new judge, David Laser, will conduct an evidentiary hearing for a new trial for Damien, Jessie and Jason!!

The judge is allowing DNA testing of a broad range of evidence. This is a very important development. In the past the State refused testing on many items, and we now have access to almost everything. To explain how significant this is, the shoe strings that tied the victims had several knots in them that were tied by the perpetrator – we are now allowed to have those knots untied to test for DNA. Also, beard hairs were found at the murder scene. We’ve not been allowed to test them because they would be destroyed in testing we are now testing those hairs along with many items that belonged to the victims, and things that were found at the crime scene. All of this is very exciting.

We have new expert witnesses who want to weigh in on the cause of deaths – these are professionals that are standouts in their fields, and will go a long way in affirming the innocence of Damien, Jason and Jessie in our upcoming hearing before a new judge.

Damien and I are most grateful that all of this has come about, and it’s solely because of the support of you, and other friends from around the world. We’re happy to report that all lawyers on the three legal teams are working pro-bono, but we still have to pay for DNA testing, expert witnesses and expenses for three legal teams to come to Arkansas for a three week hearing in December.

Help us make this happen! We can finally see the light of day, but we need that final push. The good news is that this is no longer an endless need, we can reach our goal, but we need your help. Anything you can donate will help.

Donate on line here, or send a check to :

Arkansas Take Action
125 Englewood Road
Little Rock, AR 72207 US

Thanks for everything!!!

Lorri and Damien

June 2011