West Memphis Three World Awareness Day, helping to raise defense funds and awareness for the West Memphis Three (WM3), takes place on Saturday, June 3rd.
June 3, 2006 marks the 13th anniversary that Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, Jr. were arrested for murders they did not commit. It is also West Memphis Three Worldwide Awareness Day, the perfect opportunity for supporters to join together and let the world know the truth about their unjust convictions. All over the globe, people will stage concerts, screen Paradise Lost I & II and host benefits to raise money for the WM3’s defense funds.
Two WM3 World Awareness Day events are taking place in San Francisco this Saturday, June 3rd. One at the Great American Music Hall and another at Cafe Du Nord.
Here’s some background info from WM3.org:
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 12 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.
More information on the West Memphis Three can be found at WM3.org and Wikipedia, along with Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky two documentaries on the subject: “Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills” and “Paradise Lost 2: Revelations”
Here Are A Few Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
- DNA Evidence Proves Innocence of West Memphis Three
- Skeleton Key West Memphis Three Benefit
- Varnish Fine Art Presents The Eminent Domain Awareness Group Art Show
- Massive Zombie Outbreak in San Francisco & Memphis
- Red Cross Earthquake Awareness “Shock” Campaign
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I first found out about this trial through the band Pearl Jam, whom are strong supporters of the three convicted. It is bizarre to me why so many requests for DNA testing was denied. I highly recommend watching the documentary on this film, called Paradise Lost. I mean, honestly, how hard would it be to just do the DNA testing on all the “remaining” evidence (considering some evidence was “lost” by one of the detectives)? If it proves that the convicted are truly guilty, then fine. But for some reason the prosecution doesnt have the guts to allow this. If I was the parents of the young boys that were murdered in cold blood and there was any question of the veracity of the verdict I would be begging for them to continue on. If those three convicted are not really guilty, I want the man or men who did do it caught. But speaking of who could be guilty… why on earth did they not do any further investigation into the step-father of Christopher Byers (John Mark Byers). First of all, he just gives me really bad vibes. Secondly, the whole knife thing.
I really hope this case gets settled soon. How long do these men have to remain in jail for crimes that they quite clearly did not commit? It is true that the mothers of the murdered boys lost their sons, but these three men have no lives either. Their family lost their son, boyfriend/husband, brother, or what not. Damien Echols son, who was born while he was in the beginning of the trials will never truly know his father. THis is absolutley a horrible thing. I wish there was more I could do in support of these men.
You guys did SUCH an amazing job this year! How are you EVER going to top that? You’ve really got your work cut out for you now! (smile)
How wonderful though! Every report I’ve gotten has been that everything was a great success as well, which couldn’t be better news! Way to go guys!!! FREE THE WEST MEMPHIS THREE!
~Boohiss13
Having just watched the documentaries concerning the West Memphis Three it does not surprise me that the court and relevant authorities are blinded by facts as to who the actual killer of the three innocent boys is.
It is abundantly clear that Mark Byers is guilty. His projections of innocence are nothing short of a supreme act of guilt. He is a chameleon of many faces and someone you could never leave your children with. Should anyone be going to Hell it will surely be he.
I am disturbed no end, and to a point physically sickened that these three inncocent young men should have to rot in prison and one of them: Damien Eckels is awaiting death.
I have been subjected to unjust and malicious lies foist against me by unscrupulous media personalities and having served a lengthy sentence exceeding fifteen years know only too well the harsh realities of prison life, yet am now beyond the walls of prison bastadry and can only hope and wish that these three have a speedy release from prison and wish they too find peace like I.
Am I to believe that the filmmakers of the documentaries were ONLY trying to prove the innocence of the WM3? After reading the other comments, I think you have all misplaced the point of the film (I have only seen PL1 (my first Netflix pick) What I am hoping they were trying to expose is, simply, beware of judging a book by it’s cover and jumping to random conclusions based on a persons own choices and interests. Obviously in this case, Damien had some macabre interests but this alone does not make him a (BRUTAL) killer. (My interest in cases like these, you know, like loving American Justice, Cold Case Files etc. on TV is pretty macabre also – wouldn’t you say?)
Could the WM3 be innocent? Could they be guilty? I don’t think from the film you could say one way or another. But as an American who is supposed to be able to trust in the system – I can with every breath in my body tell you for certain that ALL those involved (not only the WM3, but lets not forget about each one of those absolutely innocent boys) did by no means get justice – as is every citizens right. The Byers dad thing represents reasonable doubt to the fullest extent, my god, it’s FACTUAL doubt. I support the exposure for this cause – as an AMERICAN CITIZEN who fears a world with no justice
Jorianne727@yahoo.com
ps – Any one else get the creeps at the first sight of the Byers dad in the film? The feeling I got makes me now believe I am psychic!!!!
I think it’s nice that people like you guys commenting on this site have such an interest in the three “innocent” kids release from prison. However, I am not so concerned about re-opening the investigation. You, unlike me, did not talk to Misskelley, AFTER the trial. He was not under any pressure for any length of time while talking to me. As a matter of fact it was he who chose to speak of the incident that occured that day. He spoke of it because he was their and he knew for a fact what happened. Damien is on camera saying that little kids will forever be looking under their beds for him. This my friends is braging. Had he known that his actions at that time and when I say actions I am refering to his smerky grins and statements on television, would have had such an impact on his appeals he would have not been so quick to try and be a nationally known killer. He was in the media spotlight and was too stupid to realize that his attitude and actions was going to bite him in the but later on down the road. As for Misskelley, I have spoke with him and I have spoke with mentally retarded people. Misskelley is not mentally retarted, slow? OH Yeah! mentally retarted? No. The bottom line is, you can pick this case apart all day long and find mistakes on the prosecution and the defense, but when your done the only thing you will have accomplished is waisting your time because Damien, jessie and jason brutally killed three little boys in west memphis arkansas in 1993.
If the above comment is from one of the arresting officers as implied, we begin to see the problem with the so called justice system in west memphis. killth3ded is practically illerate.
if misskelly were truly present when the boys were killed why does he get so many facts wrong? why did the police only record approx 45 minsutes of a 12 hour interview?
yes, i too got a case of the “creeps” when i first saw john mark byers in the first documentary, and it only became worse in the second.
the state has already taken 13 years of these boys lives away from them, how much more is going to be taken before justice is truly done?
i have been following this case since i first heard about it in 93…i was a teen at the time so i guess that is what really drew my attention. i have seen both documentaries and i just wanna say that i hope the truth shall set u free.
stilettoangel writes:
“if misskelly were truly present when the boys were killed why does he get so many facts wrong? why did the police only record approx 45 minsutes of a 12 hour interview?”
If you were truly knowledgeable with regard to this case, you’d know that the alleged “12 hour interview” is a crock.
In your own time, could you explain why he confessed at least twice more. One of which was AFTER he was convicted?
I LIVE RIGHT OUTSIDE OF WEST MEMPHIS IN MEMPHIS…I DONT BELIEVE THESE BOYS DID THIS…NOT ONE LIL BIT…I WAS ONLY 8 MYSELF WHEN IT HAPPENED BUT I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE ALOT OLDER AND SOME WHO ACTUALLY LIVED IN WEST MEMPHIS WHEN THIS HAPPENED…AND THEY ARE WITH ME ON THIS…THEY DONT BELIEVE IT ONE BIT…WHO LEAVES SOMEONE IN A INTERROGATION ROOM FOR 12 HRS AND ONLY RECORD 20 MIN????WHATS UP WITH THAT…I HOPE THESE BOYS..IM SORRY MEN NOW…GET OUT SOON AND GET TO LIVE THE LIVES THAT THEY HAVE MISSED OUT SO BAD ON ALL BECAUSE OF SOME SHOTTY POLICE OFFICERS WHO WANTED TO CATCH THE “KILLERS”…ALL THEY DID WAS MAKE THESE BOYS MISS OUT ON THE BEST YEARS OF THEIR LIVES AND MAKE THE VICTIMS FAMILIES HAVE TO GO BACK THROUGH THIS ALL OVER AGAIN….DO THE DNA TESTING…WHAT ARE THEY AFRAID OF???
There is not enough for me to say if they are innocent or not. Damian himself did NOT make himself look good by saying he was evil or blowing kisses to the families of these murdered boys.Whoever did this horrible crime will answer to the highest authority. Only he knows if they are truly innocent. If they are then i am sure they will be found beyond a shadow of a doubt.