Essay On West Memphis Three

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Can we shine the light on the West Memphis Three? Three teenagers named Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley and Jason Baldwin spent twenty years in prison for a crime they did not do. Once convicting the boys of the murder of three young boys named Steve Branch, Christopher Byers, and James Moore. This was the most gruesome murder to occur in this small town in Arkansas. These young boys got out to play together and never came back once the sun had set. May 5th, 1993 is when the young boy’s bodies discovered in the woods in the Robin Hood hill area in a lake. The boys in two feet of water with their bodies hogged tied and with physical damage. The town was furious and demanded answers, so the police gave them an answer, which held no truth. Rumored, …show more content…

The stereotype this town created for them would be the number one reason of their conviction. The West Memphis community needed answers, which led the police to find possible suspects. This town based upon religion and since Satanic rituals have been taking place across Arkansas, the police found the individuals who appeared to be outcasts of this town. Damian, Jessie, and Jason fit the characteristics of being different. Jerry Driver the towns probation officer of the town stated that Damien being the main suspect did it because he held mental disorders, a bad record of misconduct, and a gothic stigma. (ID Documentary) Jessie was stereotyped as tough since he participated in fights. “According to Paradise Lost, Misskelley was a vulnerable minor with a low IQ.” (theunredacted) Jason appeared shy and best friend to Damian did influence him to become a suspect. The three teens happened to be from poor families, which gave the officials and community the impression of not being raised properly. (ID Documentary) Their fingerprints, hair samples, and other forms of DNA did not match up to the evidence found at the scene. (wrongfulconvictionnews) Regardless of not having physical evidence the stereotype of these teens is enough for the police to still bring them to trial. The ignorance that maintained through this trial from the community to the officers investigating it was consistent. Even with no physical evidence, but the options of a towns unfortunate stereotype there still appeared to have misconduct in the

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