Post by back2u on Apr 24, 2003 12:14:08 GMT 10
Although this may be hard for some of you to read I would love for you to read through it and e-mail it to a friend. Please copy/paste(highlight all the text: take your mouse to the beginning of this post marked by the arrow, LEFT click and hold it down then drag it until all the text is highlighted in a different colour(white with blue text) and the text has now become white, then RIGHT mouse click once on the highlighted area a small window will appear and one of the options will be "COPY" scroll down to it and select it by hitting either mouse button(left or right), now open a fresh e-mail page and do the same procedure except you RIGHT click on the blank e-mail and select "PASTE" instead of "COPY") ,don't just forward it no one reads anything that has been forwarded. I want you to remember one thing when you read this:
THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME AS A TEENAGER so don't pretend it's someone you don't relate to.
from left to right: Jessie, Damien and Jason
THE WEST MEMPHIS THREE
The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy lists 'witch hunt' as "the hysterical atmosphere in which the Salem witch trials were conducted", and that " many townspeople were widely suspected of witchcraft on flimsy evidence". I wonder what it will take for everyone to realize that witch hunts take place constantly.
Perhaps you're not familiar with the West Memphis Three, or perhaps you know them as the Robin Hood Hills Murderers. Perhaps you've heard of Paradise Lost? The new film [of that name] in the video stores is one to see, but only if you're ready to take up a new cause .
Michael Moore, Cristopher Byers, and Steve Branch left their homes on bicycles on the early evening of May 5, 1993. A couple of hours later, John Mark Byers, step-father to Chris, called the police to report that his son was missing. All families and police searched for the boys into the night and began again the next morning. Around 1pm the next day, the boys were found beaten, sexually molested, mutilated and dead in a wooded ditch not far from home.
The crime scene left alot of unanswered questions. There was no blood, although two had bled to death. There were no mosquito bites on the children, though they were found in a wet area, disappeared near nightfall, and were bleeding. There were no discernable footprints, though the area was muddy, and one child had been found drowned in a creek at the site. All three boys had been hogtied with black and white shoestrings. They had cuts and abrasions, some of which were common to having forced oral sex, and one boy, Chris Byers, had been castrated, and his manhood had been skinned.; the work of a master cutter of some kind. There is no question as to the level of the atrocities these children experienced. No question that the sick son-of-a-bear who did the brutal crime should pay for it.
Enter Damien Echols, an 18 year old seeker who read occult books, listened to heavy metal, and wore black. Damien was a member of the neighborhood, a predominantly fundamentalist and evangelical Christian berg of West Memphis, Arkansas. Damien asserted that, over the years, the police blamed him for everything that went wrong in town simply because he was "different "-- he dressed in all-black clothing, listened to heavy metal music, and was interested in the Wicca religion, known to some as "white" magic.(his words). THE NEXT DAY the police brought in Damien for questioning, on no other impetus than that he was 'different'. He was questioned and let go.
Meanwhile, a restauranteur not far from the crime site, on the eve of May 5, called the police to report a transient, covered in blood and mud, who had wandered into the women's restroom and had been there for a hour. A police car drove to the Bojangle's Restaurant, but the officer did not get out of the car to investigate. On May 6, after the boys were found, a detective went back and acquired blood samples from said restroom, which they subsequently lost. Are you starting to get the picture?
On June 3, Jessie Misskelley, age 17, IQ 72, was taken in for questioning because he was a known friend of Damien's. After at least five hours of unrecorded, untrackable interrogation by West Memphis police, Jessie confessed.
There were blaring inconsistancies in the confession; for instance, Jessie said the boys were tied with rope when shoelaces were used, and he said the deed was done in the morning, when it took place at night. Officers testified that Jessie Misskelley was crying as he gave his confession. He later retracted the confession, stating that the officers made him confess, and since this boy is not of average intelligence, and had been questioned (who knows in what manner) for more than five hours, and didn't understand that he had a right to ask for an attorney, ask to be charged, or walk out of the precinct, it's reasonable to assume he was coerced. Also note that he was given a lie detector test that proved (to an 85% rating as per the courts) that Jessie was innocent.
His "confession" implicated a mutual friend, Jason Baldwin, age 16, and Damien-- [as being ] fellow 'Devil worshippers' who allegedly attended cult meetings, sacrificed dogs and cats on make-shift altars and planned the brutal slaughter of the little boys. The two others were arrested that day.
Public opinion condemned the teens long before their trials began: For nine months, the local media released stories of blood-drinking and devil-worshipping, of homosexual orgies and demons. One local paper even printed gruesome excerpts of Jessie's confession. Now, for 15 years, police have been trying to prove that there is an underground, Satan-worshipping cult that sacrifices children; sometimes eating them.
In 15 years, they have found no actual evidence, but in certain areas of the nation, right wing fundamentalist and evangelical christian followers also subscribe to the belief of such Satanic cults; also believing that such things as heavy metal music, the wearing of black, Dungeons and Dragons games, and Science Fiction are the work of the Devil, who lures the young to do his will. Such was the case in West Memphis.
Jessie was tried separately from the other two since his confession had implicated them. Although there was absolutely no physical evidence linking him to the crime, Jessie was convicted of 1 count of first degree capitol murder and 2 counts of second degree capitol murder. He is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Jason Baldwin, who asserted that his only crime was having known Damien, was convicted of three counts of capitol murder. Due to his young age, he was given life plus forty years.
Damien Echols, who was found to have had possession of a book of shadows (his own), an occult novel, and had written the name 'Aleister Crowley' on a paper while in jail was found guilty of three counts of capitol murder. He is awaiting death by lethal injection. He was repeatedly beaten and raped while prison guards looked on. Said Echols, "I was sent here to die. I would just like to be left alone until that time comes." He now spends most of his time reading and writing to friends and family. His son, born while Damien was awaiting trial, has been a child victim as well in the loss of his father.
Appeals were filed. On February 19, 1996 Jessie Misskelley's appeal was denied. A petition for re-hearing was also denied on April 1, 1996. A petition for Writ of Certiorari was filed with the U.S. Supreme Court on July 30, 1996. Jason's appeal, considered with Damien's, was rejected by the Arkansas Supreme Court on December 23, 1996.
It's interesting to note that John Mark Byers, a jewel cutter and the stepfather to victim Chris Byers, had beaten his son with a belt just prior to the boys' disappearance. It came out in the trial that Mr. Byers had a brain tumor for which he was being treated. Mr. Byers' alibi for the time in question remained unstable throughout, and he contradicted his own testimony frequently. Subsequent to the convictions of the WM3, the Byers' were both convicted of stealing twenty grand worth of antiques from a home. He attacked a five year old child in his neighborhood shortly after they relocated to a small town, and he shot the child's home. Last year, the mother, Melissa Byers, died mysteriously. After an autopsy, it was found that she had drugs in her system, but not enough to kill her.
Oh, did I fail to list the physical evidence? There's a reason for that. There were alot of 'maybes', but there was NO CONCLUSIVE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE. None.
I highly suggest you rent the film, and don't misplace this paper......you'll be wanting the following addresses:
DAMIEN ECHOLS SK931
25401 STATE FARM ROAD
TUCKER, AR. 72168
********************
JESSIE MISSKELLEY
C/0 DAN T. STIDHAM
203 NORTH SECOND ST.
P.O.BOX 856
PARAGOULD, AR. 72451
JASON BALDWIN 103335
VARNER UNIT
P O BOX 600
GRADY, AR. 71644-0600
*************************
HON. MIKE HUCKABEE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
STATE CAPITOL
LITTLE ROCK, AR. 77201
(YOUR LETTERS WILL HELP! DO NOT ANSWER IN ANGER. SIMPLY STATE THAT YOU ARE AWARE THAT A FAIR TRIAL DID NOT TAKE PLACE, AND DUE TO THAT FACT, YOU WOULD LIKE HIM TO CONSIDER CLEMENCY. IT WAS PUBLIC OUTCRY THAT CONVICTED THESE YOUNG MEN. PUBLIC OUTCRY CAN ALSO SAVE THEM)
For more information on how to HELP the west memphis three go to their website www.wm3.org
THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME AS A TEENAGER so don't pretend it's someone you don't relate to.
from left to right: Jessie, Damien and Jason
THE WEST MEMPHIS THREE
The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy lists 'witch hunt' as "the hysterical atmosphere in which the Salem witch trials were conducted", and that " many townspeople were widely suspected of witchcraft on flimsy evidence". I wonder what it will take for everyone to realize that witch hunts take place constantly.
Perhaps you're not familiar with the West Memphis Three, or perhaps you know them as the Robin Hood Hills Murderers. Perhaps you've heard of Paradise Lost? The new film [of that name] in the video stores is one to see, but only if you're ready to take up a new cause .
Michael Moore, Cristopher Byers, and Steve Branch left their homes on bicycles on the early evening of May 5, 1993. A couple of hours later, John Mark Byers, step-father to Chris, called the police to report that his son was missing. All families and police searched for the boys into the night and began again the next morning. Around 1pm the next day, the boys were found beaten, sexually molested, mutilated and dead in a wooded ditch not far from home.
The crime scene left alot of unanswered questions. There was no blood, although two had bled to death. There were no mosquito bites on the children, though they were found in a wet area, disappeared near nightfall, and were bleeding. There were no discernable footprints, though the area was muddy, and one child had been found drowned in a creek at the site. All three boys had been hogtied with black and white shoestrings. They had cuts and abrasions, some of which were common to having forced oral sex, and one boy, Chris Byers, had been castrated, and his manhood had been skinned.; the work of a master cutter of some kind. There is no question as to the level of the atrocities these children experienced. No question that the sick son-of-a-bear who did the brutal crime should pay for it.
Enter Damien Echols, an 18 year old seeker who read occult books, listened to heavy metal, and wore black. Damien was a member of the neighborhood, a predominantly fundamentalist and evangelical Christian berg of West Memphis, Arkansas. Damien asserted that, over the years, the police blamed him for everything that went wrong in town simply because he was "different "-- he dressed in all-black clothing, listened to heavy metal music, and was interested in the Wicca religion, known to some as "white" magic.(his words). THE NEXT DAY the police brought in Damien for questioning, on no other impetus than that he was 'different'. He was questioned and let go.
Meanwhile, a restauranteur not far from the crime site, on the eve of May 5, called the police to report a transient, covered in blood and mud, who had wandered into the women's restroom and had been there for a hour. A police car drove to the Bojangle's Restaurant, but the officer did not get out of the car to investigate. On May 6, after the boys were found, a detective went back and acquired blood samples from said restroom, which they subsequently lost. Are you starting to get the picture?
On June 3, Jessie Misskelley, age 17, IQ 72, was taken in for questioning because he was a known friend of Damien's. After at least five hours of unrecorded, untrackable interrogation by West Memphis police, Jessie confessed.
There were blaring inconsistancies in the confession; for instance, Jessie said the boys were tied with rope when shoelaces were used, and he said the deed was done in the morning, when it took place at night. Officers testified that Jessie Misskelley was crying as he gave his confession. He later retracted the confession, stating that the officers made him confess, and since this boy is not of average intelligence, and had been questioned (who knows in what manner) for more than five hours, and didn't understand that he had a right to ask for an attorney, ask to be charged, or walk out of the precinct, it's reasonable to assume he was coerced. Also note that he was given a lie detector test that proved (to an 85% rating as per the courts) that Jessie was innocent.
His "confession" implicated a mutual friend, Jason Baldwin, age 16, and Damien-- [as being ] fellow 'Devil worshippers' who allegedly attended cult meetings, sacrificed dogs and cats on make-shift altars and planned the brutal slaughter of the little boys. The two others were arrested that day.
Public opinion condemned the teens long before their trials began: For nine months, the local media released stories of blood-drinking and devil-worshipping, of homosexual orgies and demons. One local paper even printed gruesome excerpts of Jessie's confession. Now, for 15 years, police have been trying to prove that there is an underground, Satan-worshipping cult that sacrifices children; sometimes eating them.
In 15 years, they have found no actual evidence, but in certain areas of the nation, right wing fundamentalist and evangelical christian followers also subscribe to the belief of such Satanic cults; also believing that such things as heavy metal music, the wearing of black, Dungeons and Dragons games, and Science Fiction are the work of the Devil, who lures the young to do his will. Such was the case in West Memphis.
Jessie was tried separately from the other two since his confession had implicated them. Although there was absolutely no physical evidence linking him to the crime, Jessie was convicted of 1 count of first degree capitol murder and 2 counts of second degree capitol murder. He is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Jason Baldwin, who asserted that his only crime was having known Damien, was convicted of three counts of capitol murder. Due to his young age, he was given life plus forty years.
Damien Echols, who was found to have had possession of a book of shadows (his own), an occult novel, and had written the name 'Aleister Crowley' on a paper while in jail was found guilty of three counts of capitol murder. He is awaiting death by lethal injection. He was repeatedly beaten and raped while prison guards looked on. Said Echols, "I was sent here to die. I would just like to be left alone until that time comes." He now spends most of his time reading and writing to friends and family. His son, born while Damien was awaiting trial, has been a child victim as well in the loss of his father.
Appeals were filed. On February 19, 1996 Jessie Misskelley's appeal was denied. A petition for re-hearing was also denied on April 1, 1996. A petition for Writ of Certiorari was filed with the U.S. Supreme Court on July 30, 1996. Jason's appeal, considered with Damien's, was rejected by the Arkansas Supreme Court on December 23, 1996.
It's interesting to note that John Mark Byers, a jewel cutter and the stepfather to victim Chris Byers, had beaten his son with a belt just prior to the boys' disappearance. It came out in the trial that Mr. Byers had a brain tumor for which he was being treated. Mr. Byers' alibi for the time in question remained unstable throughout, and he contradicted his own testimony frequently. Subsequent to the convictions of the WM3, the Byers' were both convicted of stealing twenty grand worth of antiques from a home. He attacked a five year old child in his neighborhood shortly after they relocated to a small town, and he shot the child's home. Last year, the mother, Melissa Byers, died mysteriously. After an autopsy, it was found that she had drugs in her system, but not enough to kill her.
Oh, did I fail to list the physical evidence? There's a reason for that. There were alot of 'maybes', but there was NO CONCLUSIVE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE. None.
I highly suggest you rent the film, and don't misplace this paper......you'll be wanting the following addresses:
DAMIEN ECHOLS SK931
25401 STATE FARM ROAD
TUCKER, AR. 72168
********************
JESSIE MISSKELLEY
C/0 DAN T. STIDHAM
203 NORTH SECOND ST.
P.O.BOX 856
PARAGOULD, AR. 72451
JASON BALDWIN 103335
VARNER UNIT
P O BOX 600
GRADY, AR. 71644-0600
*************************
HON. MIKE HUCKABEE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
STATE CAPITOL
LITTLE ROCK, AR. 77201
(YOUR LETTERS WILL HELP! DO NOT ANSWER IN ANGER. SIMPLY STATE THAT YOU ARE AWARE THAT A FAIR TRIAL DID NOT TAKE PLACE, AND DUE TO THAT FACT, YOU WOULD LIKE HIM TO CONSIDER CLEMENCY. IT WAS PUBLIC OUTCRY THAT CONVICTED THESE YOUNG MEN. PUBLIC OUTCRY CAN ALSO SAVE THEM)
For more information on how to HELP the west memphis three go to their website www.wm3.org