Jason Baldwin of The West Memphis Three Has Launched a Kickstarter Project To Write His Memoirs

When Jason Baldwin was 16 years old, he and two other boys, Damien Echols and Jessie Misskelly Jr. became known as the West Memphis Three when they were convicted for the murder of three boys who had gone missing in the small Tennessee town. After the convictions, the media began questioning the lack of evidence that surrounded the case; films were made and television specials were aired and after serving 18 years, the West Memphis Three were released from prison under an “Alford Plea” in August 2011. Now Jason wants to write the next chapter of his life and has launched a Kickstarter campaign to make it possible.

One of the questions I’ve most often been asked is when I would write a book. Until now, my answer has been that I would pen my memoir when I reach the ripe old age of 90 and have lived a long and full life. But the more I share my story, and the more questions that I am asked about my life’s experiences, the more I have come to realize this story needs to be told not later, but now. There is much more than I can possibly share on a stage with a microphone in hand, try as I might. Time just always seems to run short, someone’s questions do not get answered, and I am often rushed past the parts of the story that give it weight. Now, two years into this wonderful whirlwind of freedom, the whole idea of penning my memoir makes a bit more sense to me, and I am eager to share with you my life’s stories.

The 30-day funding period ends on December 25, 2013 at 12:45 PM EST.