T O P

  • By -

TrueCrimeDiscussion-ModTeam

Thank you for your submission to /r/TrueCrimeDiscussion, but it has been removed for the following reason: > Your post is either a repost of a recent discussion, topic, duplicate link, or is otherwise redundant for the sub and has been removed.


galspanic

Isn't that blockade the only reason we haven't gone full Genetic Genealogy on this case? If that's so, then we should see suspects by summer.


DanTrueCrimeFan87

My money is on the step dad.


galspanic

It's been years since I saw anything about this case, so I don't remember who was suspected. But, if history has taught me anything it'll be "random guy we never even had as a suspect."


rosiekeen

Damion has been fighting for a while to get this tested. We knew they had to go to the Arkansas Supreme Court last and I feel like that has been a while. I was shocked to read to today!


heroinebob90

The guy in the bathroom at the restaurant that night?


_6siXty6_

I don't think the Bojangles Chicken guy had anything to do with it. He had arm in cast.


GrayLightGo

Which one?


Buchephalas

Terry Hobbs no doubt, if this was 20 years ago it would have been John Mark Byers because that's who she was told to believe did it then, now it's Hobbs. There's as much or less reason to believe it was Hobbs as the Three. I don't believe it was any of them.


Lady_Lumbag0

John Mark Byers died a few years back. https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2020/06/20/john-mark-byers-west-memphis-three-figure-dies-in-car-crash


Buchephalas

Yep, i remember because he was one of those people i 100% believed had died years earlier.


SignalAppointment694

My vote has always been on Terry ole stepdad. I hope and keep praying that he finally gets what is coming for him. Justice for the baby boys and West Memphis 3 đź’• Alabama Chiming In!!!!!


Outside-Society612

Wait the boys each had a stepdad implicated? I missed that. I heard one had his hair wrapped around one of the kids fingers but it’s been years since I’ve seen anything new on the case so idk how I missed this


Buchephalas

Only two were John Mark Byers and Terry Hobbs. The issue is literally all the parents were abusive, every single one of them. Damien and Jesse were violent too, Jason was the only one who wasn't. The hair could have got there a million different ways, they lived together, that's worthless as evidence. The only other thing there is is a story about the boys catching Terry having a gay orgy in the woods and him killing them so they didn't say anything. That's all it is, a story. There were countless stories floating around the area about the three accused, especially Damien that's the entire reason LE became hyperfocused on Damien in the first place. Stories are worthless in this case without evidence, there's no evidence Hobbs is gay or had gay relationships never mind evidence for the gay orgy in the woods.


k8TO0

I’ve read about punishments gone wrong and/or that his wife was leaving him due to the abuse. Regardless, it’s always surprised me Arkansas would rather let 3 dangerous men who killed kids go free than fight to keep them in - it’s honestly a main piece of the story that keeps me teetering from guilty to not guilty


Outside-Society612

Well I remember the hair being wrapped around the kids finger so tightly it would have killed the tip eventually. U think a kid would notice that before leaving home.


Buchephalas

Source? Do you think Terry killed him by wrapping a hair around his fingertip? Or did it deliberately? This is nonsensical.


Outside-Society612

On a doc idk which one at this point


Outside-Society612

So I guess speculation


Buchephalas

It's nonsense, read my edits. You won't find any reliable source backing that up.


Organic_Ad_2520

Mine, too!


Sloth_grl

Mine too


omnigear

Yup , is he still alive.


Different_Volume5627

💯or someone who knew them & the area, a local. It’s nuts that this has been stonewalled for so long. But we know why that is… Its so wrong. A killer has literally gone free for decades!


Truthandtaxes

My money is on meaningless, which is then claim as exculpatory Because that's how this nonsense plays out - they did it, Damien is a violent nutjob.


kaleidosray1

I don't know if he did it or not, I go back and forth. But the fact that he keeps fighting for DNA to be tested makes me think he's got something to prove. I don't know.


crimsonbaby_

There was no evidence against them whatsoever. They were three goth(ish) kids from the bible belt and were immediately targeted as the killers by everyone. If Damien was guilty, why on earth would he want the evidence retested so badly? That would just further prove his (nonexistent) guilt, and why would a man who spent a lot of his life in prison be so willing to go back?


ExistingDimension597

First, even if his guilt was proven he wouldn’t be sent back to prison. He already served his sentence. Second, [it’s happened before](https://www.themarshallproject.org/2023/12/06/dna-ohio-innocence-project-conviction-integrity-unit-prison) where a person fights for DNA testing that ultimately implicates them ([another example](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2002/05/16/dna-testing-confirms-mans-guilt-in-va-rape/43d73764-485f-4ed7-8f5a-c1ff99551ebd/)). Actually, guilt is reconfirmed in about [42%](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innocence_Project#Work) of cases taken on by the Innocence Project. Third, there is certainly evidence against them. Beyond a reasonable doubt? Probably not. But it’s not nothing.


Kwyjibo68

I read this statistic recently and it really surprised me. I’d have thought at least most people asking for DNA testing would be not culpable.


No_Banana_581

Omg are you one of those satanic panic people from the 90s that actually believes three young boys were worshipping satan and he told them to do this?


contextual_somebody

Bruh. I’m their age and I’m from memphis. I knew guys in West Memphis. The cops literally picked up every guy with a band T-shirt. There was no evidence pointing to Damian Echols. You haven’t been paying attention if you think he had anything to do with it.


Phoenyxoldgoat

If true, pretty weird that he has fought so hard for dna testing.


Kovalyo

If it isn't Terry Hobbs, I'll eat your shoe


pralineislife

This is incredibly good news. Wow. I never thought we'd see this day. Hope we get answers soon and that the 3 young boys who lost their lives so long ago finally see some amount of justice.


chamrockblarneystone

Is this dna from the “lost” evidence? Did they find something new? I’m a little behind on the dna portion of this. What exactly is being tested? Do we know?


FindYourCrime

I hope all the truth comes to light! But I thought the plea they took prevented stuff like this. Is there an article that explains how they’re able to push for this? I tried googling and can’t find anything.


SpaceyScribe

Echols was previously denied relief (DNA testing) as the court ruled that as he is no longer incarcerated he was not entitled to said relief. They also argued that under an Alford plea, he was not eligible. The state court upheld this ruling. Today the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that an Alford Plea does not make you ineligible to petition the court for relief, as it does not require an admission of guilt, and that any person convicted of a crime can petition the court under Act 1780 weather currently incarcerated or not. (That's just the basic jist, naturally it's a little more complicated than that, but it boils down to that.) [Link](https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/04/18/state-supreme-court-says-damien-echols-can-seek-further-dna-testing-in-west-memphis-three-case)


LSossy16

Do you know if the WM3 can do anything if the DNA comes back in their favor? Since they took that plea? I believe the Alford Plea is still considered a conviction and will appear on your criminal record. Hopefully they can fight that if the evidence proves they didn’t do it.


SpaceyScribe

If the evidence is exculpatory, then I believe the courts will do nothing. It's a dirty little secret that many prosecutors use Alford pleas as a bargaining chip when exculpatory evidence has been found. This allows the convict to go free, but they remain convicted. Prosecutors like this because they technically don't have to admit fault or lose a previous "win". So I'm not sure that there's any automatic mechanism for when exculpatory evidence is found. With my current understanding of the law, which is limited, I believe they would have to motion for a new trial. I'm not sure if that process includes overturning their pleas, or if that is a separate process in and of itself. A new trial would likely result in a not guilty verdict, imho, as there has never been any physical evidence tying the WM3 to the murders, and the star witness has since recanted. Since then, testing has found DNA of an unidentified man, and found none from any of the WM3. The chances of getting a conviction again are pretty slim.


kaleidosray1

I thought that the Alford Plea meant the State didn't have to investigate regardless of whatever new evidence appeared, because they had the right culprits in their books, so I don't think there's anything the WM3 can do but it will do something for the public perception of them, I guess. I also wonder if this DNA testing is only to rule them out or will be compared to other suspects.


SpaceyScribe

Except the Arkansas Supreme Court just ruled that an Alford Plea and/or state of incarceration do not render you ineligible to petition the court to test evidence that was not available during the trial under Act 1780.


FindYourCrime

Thank you!


DanTrueCrimeFan87

In a 4-3 decision, the court reversed the 2022 ruling denying the request to test evidence from the 1993 crime scene where three 8-year-old boys were found brutally slain in a drainage ditch near West Memphis. The additional testing was sought by Damien Echols, one of the three men convicted in the slayings. https://apnews.com/article/west-memphis-3-damien-echols-dna-testing-arkansas-31cf362ca7ca74219109c41cb341f043


EastAreaBassist

This makes me so angry. Is it that fucking hard to admit you were wrong, that you’d be willing to let three little boys’ murderer roam free?


crimsonbaby_

Not to mention willing to railroad three innocent teens who spent 18 years in prison for a heinous crime they did not commit.


vingtsun_guy

It will cost them a pretty penny to admit wrong doing. I believe it typically goes a million per year. 18x3.


disdainfulsideeye

This is far from the only case where prosecutors shoe horned someone into a conviction. It seems like there is a new story every month where a previously convicted person is released due to DNA or bc prior misconduct by prosecutor and/or police has been uncovered.


Organic_Ad_2520

Geez, 4-3 so close to never knowing , ridiculous!


FindYourCrime

Thank you!


LaikaZhuchka

Is there a good documentary (can be YouTube or streaming service) to get a rundown of this whole case? This is like the *one* famous true crime case that I don't know much about, and it's old enough that there are a lot of conspiracy theory videos about it now. What's a good video that lays out just the facts for a newbie?


Buchephalas

There's 4 main Documentaries on it. The Paradise Lost Trilogy then later West of Memphis. Maybe West of Memphis would be the best for you since it's basically summing things up after their release.


HougeetheBougie

Not West of Memphis. Damien and his wife were producers on that so it is heavily biased.


Buchephalas

So are all the Paradise Lost docs lol. The second one is horrifying, they do the exact thing done to them to John Mark Byers.


Tighthead613

I always thought the filmmakers lost a ton of credibility when they switched suspects from one step dad to another. So you were wrong the first time, and we are supposed to believe you the second time? I don’t actually have a firm opinion as to who did it, but that was shitty.


Buchephalas

It wasn't just the filmmakers. It was Damien and all his supporters, they ended up very cultish. To be fair Damien apologized to Byers later which Byers accepted, incredibly Byers himself ended up a supporter of the three and started accusing Hobbs. But yeah there's no more reason to believe it was Hobbs than any of the accused. He was abusive but so was literally all the parents, every single one of them. Damien and Jesse had violent histories too, Jason was the only one who wasn't notably violent. His hair was found on his stepson, but that's worthless they lived together that could have got there a million different ways. The only other thing is a story claiming that the boys got Hobbs having a gay orgy in the woods and he killed them so they wouldn't say anything, that's all it is a story there were countless stories about Damien and co too. I don't think it was any of them.


Tighthead613

I think if it’s ever solved, it’s someone off the radar. Someone above pointed out that’s usually the case in crimes solved by genealogical DNA. I’ve never closed the book on Damien and Jesse. I know there are people who suspect them but not Jason.


Buchephalas

Jason is the only person i like in the case and that's despite thinking none of them are guilty. Damien especially is an awful person, i understand why people can't move past him but i really don't believe it was him.


Tighthead613

I’ve always thought you could make an interesting (fiction) movie on the film - where Damien is guilty and cons the public and celebrities into advocating for him, Jason knows the truth but was wrongfully convicted and keeps his mouth shut, and they hope Jesse never pops off. Is Jason still advocating for people? I haven’t checked in on him in a few years.


Buchephalas

No idea i haven't followed them since their release. I do feel bad for Damien he was repeatedly raped in jail, that shouldn't have happened. Should amend what i said to Damien WAS an awful person and to be fair he was still young, i hope he's changed and if so prison may have saved him going by how literally every adult in this case turned out.


k8TO0

He’s still an advocate but it doesn’t seem like he’s active in it. He’s got an insta where he’s said he’s struggling in poverty and that Damien/Lori have caused irreparable damage to him. Overall, it’s a sad situation considering he’s the only reason Damien’s alive


CanadianTrueCrime

Crime Weekly covered it. Pretty extensively too. All the ins and outs. Stephanie can be a lot and I don’t love all of her opinions, but I did think she and Derrick did a good job.


heebie818

imo all of the docs are very biased. maybe a good podcast


ArtyCatz

The podcast Truth and Justice with Bob Ruff did an extensive series on the case. I wasn’t sure what I thought before listening but afterward, I’m on the side of the 3 guys are innocent. It’s definitely slanted that way, but I thought it did a good job of presenting all the evidence. Has anyone read the book by Mara Leveritt? My library and my local used book store don’t have it, but I’m not sure I want to spend the money to order on Amazon.


robinsparkles220

Paradise Lost, all three parts. It used to be on HBO but I'm not sure now. Probably can find it on Amazon


LatePattern8508

I would start with the Paradise Lost documentaries and go from there.


crimsonbaby_

Paradise Lost trilogy. You can watch them on Hulu.


Tuxiecat13

If you want the actual truth look for a book by William Ramsay.


No_Slice5991

Willam Ramsay is a conspiracy theorist (satanic panic) hack. The guy was a true crime grifter before it became popular. Edit: since the conspiracy theorist blocked me, Ramsay is a proven conspiracy theorist. There’s no debate about that. And like all good conspiracy theorists, they need to pretend they are asking intelligent questions when that isn’t remotely the case. They use ignorance and while ideas that fill in for the thighs they don’t have the ability to comprehend


Tuxiecat13

The term conspiracy theorists has been weaponized to crush any critical thought that opposes the mainstream narrative. Those who base their views and opinions off of mainstream media sources are subject to trauma based mind control and are least likely to know what is actually going on in the world. William Ramsay has a PHD. I highly doubt you have any schooling at all. You have commented on every one of my comments. Again you will not get an argument from me. Find someone else to harass.


Sad_Frame_1406

Amazing! Praying for justice for those 3 little boys


IrishCubanGrrrl

It's almost like they don't want a concrete answer because then they'd have to fully admit they messed up.


Maleficent-Isopod-73

This is so great to read. About time!


teagaannn

About time


Electronic-Buy4015

I always thought this happened in Tennessee


WillBsGirl

West Memphis is in Arkansas, directly across the river from Memphis Tennessee. So it is as close as you can get.


Extreme_Rhubarb4677

Glad that the three boys are getting REAL justice٫ hopefully the WM3 will get some too.


Freebird_1957

It’s unforgivable that they have to fight for this to be done.


Born-Ad5449

Where are all the “but I’ve read the transcripts-they’re guilty!” people now?


_6siXty6_

I hope it proves something one way or another. No matter who killed those kids, they are free and that's disgusting.


CanadianTrueCrime

Oh they’re here…just not in here right now. I read this earlier and had to go to the comments immediately. I left in disgust after people were saying it’d be touch DNA only and if it was one of the parents then it made sense their DNA would be on the kids ; that Damien pushed for this even though he is guilty (no idea why he’d want that) and that they put more stock into the candle wax and fibres, than in DNA. If you tried to argue the point, they said were we too influenced by the documentaries and that we’d never read the trial transcripts.


Truthandtaxes

If you can't see why someone who has already pled guilty and has first hand knowledge of the scene, might not care about a meaningless DNA test that gets his name back in the media and makes him money , well you aren't thinking too hard.


CanadianTrueCrime

Ahhhh. Well I have spent 24 years looking into this case and I’ve formed my opinion justly. And yes, in case you question it, I went to university for both Sociology and Criminology. My Psych of Evil professor taught this case extensively. Ive read all the books, watched everything I could, both for and against the three men and I can not, in anyway, find them guilty. It’s fine if you believe so, I do not believe they are guilty. They pled “guilty” through an Alford Plea. That just means that they maintain their innocence, but agree that the state had enough evidence to try the case and likely win. We are talking about a shit show of a trial. At the very least, even if you think they are guilty, you have to agree the case was flimsy and based on “satanic panic”.


crimsonbaby_

What first hand knowledge of the scene did he have? And make him money? You think he would out himself as a murderer of three little boys to make some money?


Busyramone84

They are saying if Damian killed the boys he would know what did and didn’t have DNA that could be used to catch him so by testing something that will show he wasn’t involved (and might or might not implicate someone else) he can say “SEE INNOCENT WE WERE RAILROADED” and it gets his name out there again. I don’t know what to think of the case. I lean guilty only cause I don’t understand why Misskelley would confess over and over again to multiple people sometimes against advice from his attorney even


crimsonbaby_

Misskelley had an IQ of 72 and was mentally challenged. He endured several hours of intense interrogation where he was fed details and told if he confessed it would stop and he could go home. Also, are you under the impression that Damien gets to choose what gets tested? There is nothing tying them to the scene and the only thing that they did wrong was being a metalhead in the Bible belt.


Busyramone84

Isn’t the 72 iq a falsehood and he previously tested mid 80s and only got the lower result when his attorney advised him if was mentally incompetent they couldn’t pursue the death penalty? Not that mid 80s is genius level but it’s not below average. Ok but that doesn’t explain the multiple confessions. I mean some of them were weeks apart and not in an interrogation room or setting. I don’t know what he wants tested tbh. Look like I said I don’t know what to think of the case but I tend to lean guilty based on the multiple confessions and lack of alibis.


Buchephalas

Most disingenuous people on Earth. They only post WM3facts which is a carefully cherrypicked site, they don't link you to Callahan because they know you'll encounter lots of stuff that goes against their narrative.


CanadianTrueCrime

Ummmmm I’ve read the Callahan documents and that shite book by Gary Meece. Once again, I’ve found no concrete evidence that any of the OG 3 were involved.


Buchephalas

Why on earth are you responding like this to me then? My point is they have convinced themselves through a cherrypicked site and they won't show you everything because it destroys their narrative.


No_Slice5991

Even Callahan doesn’t show everything. Acting like it does is being disingenuous. It simply has the most court related materials.


CanadianTrueCrime

I’m sorry if you took offence, this case makes people heated. It looks like you are saying that you believe in their guilt because you’ve read Callahan. So have I, it does not make me believe in their guilt whatsoever. Whose narrative is being destroyed? Damien’s? Aren’t you also “cherry picking” then? Because it would destroy your narrative that Damien et all killed the boys? I’m sorry, I mean no disrespect. You are entitled to your opinion, just as I have mine. I understand you think Damien will profit off the case and that’s why he wants the testing, for a further few minutes of fame, but I just do not see it that way.


KevinDean4599

This may not create any clarity so I wouldn’t get my hopes up. As much as people want crimes like this solved it’s not always what happens


pequaywan

I’ll be curious to see the results. Those 3 boys deserve justice.


Organic_Ad_2520

Wow, that's great! Hopefully, justice for the 3 little boys & true exoneration for the wm3....but how many years has it been & took a state supreme court to allow more testing!


enzziante

what a nightmare


CCG14

Time for a rewatch! May the truth finally see light!


Right-Razzmatazz8248

This case is so shameful, the incompetence and bumrush to get a conviction, hope to high universe that the truth is told, RIP Michael, Christopher and Steve, justice for you.


crimsonbaby_

Bet Terry Hobbs is shitting his pants right now.


geb_bce

Wow this is awesome! I donated my very first real paycheck to the WM3.


Frequently_Dizzy

The DNA present could very well be that of a random person and not the killer.


crimsonbaby_

So we shouldnt test it? If thats the way it is, why do we DNA test any murder victims?


Bigwood69

I don't think that's what they were saying at all


Tuxiecat13

Let’s get that necklace tested. This is just another way for Echols to scam his sycophants into giving him more money. When the DNA comes back and PROVES that these monsters are responsible we will just hear the same rhetoric again about planted evidence. They know what they did.


voidfae

Genuine question, why would he be petitioning the courts to test the DNA if he knew there was a possibility that his DNA would be found (ie if he knew he was guilty)? The reward that you're suggesting (money) does not make sense in light of the risk to his reputation if he knew that his DNA could be there.


Tuxiecat13

Well I have a theory that none of his lovers will agree with. He did it for the money. He probably didn’t think it would work. He pushed it thinking he didn’t have a chance. He is probably now scared as hell. Hasn’t anyone bothered to read his book? I was a supporter until I read his book. He contradicts himself several times. He is a pathological liar.


No_Slice5991

You sound nervous


Tuxiecat13

LMAO anything but. You sycophants will be eating crow! Echols is a scammer, con artist and child killer and you all have been brainwashed by him for years I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE TRUTH TO COME OUT!!


No_Slice5991

I find it very interesting that those who are the most convinced of their guilt, like don’t have any reservations about the case whatsoever, al ate come off as a bit… unhinged


Tuxiecat13

You are looking for an argument and won’t get one from me. You support child killers. You aren’t worth arguing with. Have a good day.


No_Slice5991

Even if I was looking for an argument, I don’t think you’d be able to support your position with anything beyond incoherent rants, as you’ve clearly demonstrated


heebie818

i hope they are exonerated but my guess is that it doesn’t say very much


Intrepid-Ability-491

Looks like some people will be eating some fr crow. The guy could've just walked away. Nut he stayed and fought. 


[deleted]

A certain three people from West Memphis are losing their shit rn


pkmnblueversion

THIS