DNA Evidence Proves Innocence of West Memphis Three

The West Memphis Three, Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley and Jason Baldwin, have been in prison for 12 years as the result of a controversial trial in 1993 where they were falsely convicted for the murder of three young children in West Memphis, Arkansas. WM3.org has just posted an update to their website announcing that the DNA testing has been completed, showing no link to the evidence in the case and proving that the three were innocent all along. It turns out that the DNA evidence has been linked to Terry Hobbs, the step father of one of the children killed.

Just hours ago, our attorneys filed a Second Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus proving that three innocent men were wrongfully convicted of murder in West Memphis, Arkansas, in 1993. Citing DNA testing and evidence from several witnesses and leading experts, the nearly 200-page writ asks the Court to order a new trial for my husband, Damien Echols, or release him.

In short, DNA testing has been conducted on dozens of pieces of evidence. The DNA results show no link whatsoever to Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley or Jason Baldwin – and all of the experts agree that, under the prosecution theory of how the crime was committed, their DNA would be present at the crime scene if they were guilty. Instead, the DNA results match Terry Hobbs, the step-father of one of the victims. Our new filing also includes strong evidence from Pam Hobbs (the ex-wife of Terry Hobbs and the mother of one of the victims) implicating her former husband in the murders.

Echols’ legal defense team is planning a live webcast of the press conference at 8am PDT/11am EDT on Thursday, November 1st. They still have a long way to go before being released and are seeking donations for their legal fund.

This well publicized case, which was the subject of two documentaries by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, “Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills” (1996) and “Paradise Lost 2: Revelations” (2000).

Thanks to Ron Turner for the tip!