Research Paper On The West Memphis Three

Kaitlyn Kline

Professor DiFatta

Business Law

01 February 2015 The West Memphis three is a case that created quite a stir when it occurred back in the 1993 when the crime occurred and then again in 1994 when there was a conviction. There was a wrongful conviction made when three young men were convicted in this murder case. However, no one questioned it because they were seen as fitting the description of a criminal based upon outside appearances. There were three young boys that were found murdered in a ditch. There had been no physical evidence to link Jason Baldwin, Damien Echols, and Jessie Misskelley with the crime. However, they were convicted after Jessie Misskelley was questioned and had then went on to admit to supposedly committing

They seemed to already have in their minds whom was guilty. When something seemed to point in the direction for the men to be guilty, they seemed to be all for it.

How could Detective Bryn Ridge have heard Jessie Misskelley's confession and described it as "so close to perfect that it had to be believed" The confession at best was muddled, virtually free of information, or more specifically, information provided by Misskelley. In contrast, Detectives Ridge and Gitchell did describe injuries, weapons and the geographic location of the crime. (Hill)

In my opinion it seemed as though the police had a bias coming into the case, which is not right. Even though they were imprisoned the case was again opened up and there was an agreement that was reached with the West Memphis Three. Eventually there was an agreement that was reached that would finally give the men freedom that they had been waiting for. There was a plea agreement reached with the men. However, they had to enter a guilty plea in order for them to be

They filled out the paper work that would release them. The judge had them testify about their education and if they had been under the influence of drugs. The judge made them understand that they did not have to plead guilty. They asserted their innocence but said they were entering the plea on advice of counsel. (Leveritt)

Even though they were innocent they accepted taking a guilty verdict in order to try and clear their names from outside of the prison (Leveritt). Even though there was a deal made I am not sure that I totally agree that it really was a deal. They in the end still had to take the guilty ruling. They did this in order to get their friend off of death row was their main reasoning behind taking a guilty verdict. They are better off in trying to clear their names from outside of a jail cell rather than being inside and trying to clear their names (Leveritt). The West Memphis three case is one that gained a lot of attention. There were many obstacles that finally led up to the release of the three men. Many people supported them through their long journey in trying to prove their