1. Cassara Wagner English 23 Dr. Folk
West Memphis Three
Cassara Wagner
English 23
Dr. Folk

2. Background
On May 4th, 1993 three eight-year old boys were murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas
They were found in a section of the town called Robin Hood Hills
Damien Echols
capital murder, life in prison, death sentence
Jesse Misskelley
first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, forty years in prison
Jason Baldwin
capital murder, life in prison

3. introduction
There’s something about an unsolved murder that can pull someone right in. Were the suspects really guilty? The truth is, we may never know. All we have to go off of is theories; opinions of judges, jury members, family and friends of the victims, theorists, I could go on forever. Unless you were there to witness the investigation there's no telling what's write and wrong. Sure you could go online and search police files and read articles about the case but you'll never find out everything there is to know. there has been so many unsolved murder cases where someone may have been incarcerated and not even be guilty, or let free years later but are actually the killer. The west Memphis three is a great example of these type of cases. It is an ongoing investigation from 1993 where three teens were convicted for the murders of 3 young boys but were released in Did they really do it? If you asked me I'd tell you yes and here’s why…

4. The victims the suspects
Michael Moore Steve Branch Chris Byers

5. Three eight year old boys reported missing: Steve Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers.
Chris Byers' adoptive father, John Byers, was the first to call in his missing son. Followed by the other boys parents
Police start searching
May 5th, 1993
May 6th, 1993
The boys bodies are discovered
Wrists bounded, mutilated
Coroner pronounces them dead

6. ***WARNING: Child Autopsy/Crime Scene Photos***

7. crime scene photos
***WARNING: Child Autopsy/Crime Scene Photos***

8. June 3rd, 1993 June 4th, 1993 Polygraph proves involvement in murders
Authorities request search warrants
homes of Jesse, Damien, and Jason
The warrants are issued (9P.M)
Police arrest Damien, Jason, and Jesse (10p.m.)
charged with three counts of capital murder
June 3rd, 1993
June 4th, 1993
Gitchell (Chief investigator) holds a press conference to announce the arrests
When Asked how confident he felt about the case, on a one-to-ten scale, Gitchell says, "Eleven."

9. A state judge appoints lawyers to represent Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley
June 7th, 1993
August 4th, 1993
attend a pretrial hearing before Judge David Burnett in Marion, Arkansas.
Judge Burnett rules Misskelley should be tried separately
Due to his low IQ

10. More Important dates November 10, 1993: November 17, 1993:
Judge Burnett rules that Misskelley's trial will open in Corning, Arkansas in January
Echols and Baldwin’s trials will take place in Jonesboro, beginning in February
November 17, 1993:
Divers to search a lake behind the trailer’s of Baldwin and Echols
find a nine-inch long knife with a serrated edge in water about 50 feet behind Jason's trailer
January 18, 1994:
Jury selection begins in the Misskelley trial

11. A jury convicts Misskelley
one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder
sentenced to forty years in prison in Pine Bluff
The Echols/Baldwin trial opens in Jonesboro, Arkansas
Jury selection begins
February 5, 1994
March 17th&18th , 1994
February 18th, 1994
February 19th, 1994
Misskelley changes his mind about testifying against Echols and Baldwin
March 17th :
Jury deliberations begin in Echols/Baldwin Trial
March 18th :
Jury finds Echols and Baldwin guilty of capital murder

12. More important dates May 1994: December 23, 1996: June 17, 1999:
Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley appeal their convictions
December 23, 1996:
The Arkansas Supreme Court issues a decision upholding the convictions of Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin.
June 17, 1999:
Judge Burnett denies a petition for a new trial for Echols

13. More important dates February 2001: 2002:
Edward Mallett, attorney for Echols, files a writ of error coram nobis in the Arkansas Supreme Court
arguing that Echols should have never been tried in 1994 because of his mental condition at the time
2002:
Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three, a book by Mara Leveritt, is published (also a movie)

14. More important dates October 2003: 2007: September 10, 2008:
In an interview, Vicki Hutcheson says that everything she told the police was a lie
2007:
New evidence from is found
Terry Hobbs’s DNA found on knife
September 10, 2008:
Judge Burnett denies the request for a retrial
Reason: DNA evidence produced was inconclusive.

15. Terry Hobbs vs. Echols, Misskelley, Baldwin
Theories
Terry Hobbs vs. Echols, Misskelley, Baldwin

16. Theory 1: Echols, Baldwin, Misskelley
Many believe it was these three teenagers
Due to their satanic beliefs and cult activity
Witnesses say they saw Echols with muddy pants and bloody clothing
Knife was found behind Echols trailer
**This is what I believe and will always stick with**

17. Theory 2: Terry Hobbs He was the stepfather of one of the victims
His knife was found as the murder weapon
His hair was on the rope used
Neighbors say they saw him with the boys
*I don’t believe in this theory for one main reason…
* There is no way one person could control and murder these three boys

18. My opinion
Damion Echols, Jessie Misskelley, and Jason Baldwin committed the murders.
Involved with a satanic cult
Violent past
Enough people to control 3 boys
100% not the stepfather Terry Hobbs
One person could not control three boys
Not capable of the murders
No violent past

19. The release of the west Memphis three
August 19, 2011:
Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley are released from custody
agreed to admit guilt on murder charges (while still maintaining their innocence) in exchange for their release without parole
Called an Alford plea

20. At a press conference after release from prison
Damien Echols holding his book Life After Death next to Johnny Depp

21. Conclusion
The families of the victims of this case deserve some justice and closure, just like all the other families who were victims of murder cases. The amount of unsolved cases in the United States is at 211,000 since 1980 (Hargrove). That means that there are that many people out there who are still waiting for justice, there are people who have passed away not knowing what happened to their loved ones. How would you feel if this happened to you? It’s pretty clear who committed these murders but unfortunately the police don’t seem to agree. Others will have their own opinions about the killer(s) but even with the new evidence, I still believe that Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley are the murderers. They should have never been released from prison and don’t deserve to live their lives when the families of the victims are left hanging and questioning everything. Murder cases should never be put away and forgotten, after all the families will never forget. They NEED answers, we NEED answers.