31 Years Later: A look back at the West Memphis child murders

Notorious crime still in local, national conciousness three decades after slayings

By Ralph Hardin

ralphhardin@gmail.com

If you Google West Memphis, the first page of results will point you to the 1993 murders of three 8-year-old boys and the case that would go on to become one of the most intriguing cases in local history.

On May 5, 1993, the West Memphis community was shocked by the brutal murders of three young boys, Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers. The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of three teenagers, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr., more collectively well-known now as the 'West Memphis Three.'

The case captured the nation's attention and sparked controversy over the fairness of the criminal justice system, the question of the defendants’ guilt and created a so-called “Satanic Panic” in the community, as during the trial, prosecutors argued that the teenagers had killed the younger boys as part of a satanic ritual. They presented as evidence a number of items found in Echols' home, including books on Wicca and the occult, testimony from friends of the three teens in regard to their plans to perform such ritualistic-style murders and claims that the teenagers had carried out the murders as part of a plan to gain supernatural powers.

The prosecution also used Misskelley's confession, which he later recanted, as evidence against the three.

The investigation and trial were not without their missteps. Questions surrounding the evidence and allegations of misconduct on the part of the prosecution arose, but in 1994, Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley were found guilty and sent to prison. Echols, who was considered the ringleader, was sentenced to death, while Baldwin and Misskelley received life sentences (Misskelley was tried earlier, separate from Echols

See WM3, page A2

File photo WM3

From page A1

and Baldwin, who were tried together).

The case of the “West Memphis Three,” as it became widely known, gained widespread attention and sparked a national debate. Supporters of the three argued that they had been wrongfully convicted, pointing to the lack of physical evidence linking them to the crime and the tactics used by the prosecution, such as the confession made by Jessie Misskelley who had been previously diagnosed with diminished mental capacity. The case was the subject of multiple documentaries, including the widely-acclaimed 'Paradise Lost' series. Supporters of the men convicted of the murders have named a number of other possible suspects, including:

• Terry Hobbs: The stepfather of one of the victims, Hobbs was reported to have a violent temper and had been seen arguing with his stepson shortly before the murders. In 2011, new DNA evidence was found possibly linking Hobbs to the crime scene.

• John Mark Byers: The adoptive father of one of the victims, Byers had an alleged history of violence and drug abuse. He was also found to have a knife with blood on it in his possession shortly after the murders.

• Chris Morgan: Morgan was a friend of the victims and had a history of mental illness and violent behavior. He reportedly confessed to the murders to his girlfriend at the time.

• Stevie Branch's biological father: His biological father, whose identity is not publicly known, was reportedly at one time a suspect in the murders. It should be noted that none of these alternative suspects were ever charged or convicted in the case. Now, 30 years later, the anniversary of the murders is once again in the spotlight as new plot twists in the case still continue to emerge.

In recent years, advancements in DNA testing and forensic science have brought new attention to the case and reignited efforts to prove the West Memphis 3’s guilt or innocence and determine the truth — one way or another — about what happened to the three young victims.

In 2011, after years of appeals and public pressure, the West Memphis Three were released from prison as part of what is known as an Alford plea deal. While they were able to walk free after 18 years in jail, they were required to plead guilty in order to secure their release.

See WM3, page A13

File photos

File photo WM3

From page A2

Despite their release, Echols continues to maintain innocence, with many believing that justice has yet to be fully served in the case. The “true” identity of the killer or killers, they say, remains a mystery, and the families of the victims continue to seek closure.

In 2019, attorneys for Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin filed a petition with the Arkansas Supreme Court seeking to overturn their convictions and clear their names. The petition argued that new DNA evidence proved that the victims were not murdered by the West Memphis Three, but rather by another individual who had not been identified.

The DNA evidence in question relates to hair and fiber samples found at the crime scene that had previously been inconclusive. The Arkansas Supreme Court denied the petition in February 2020, stating that the new evidence did not conclusively prove the innocence of Echols and Baldwin. However, the defense team has not given up, and is reportedly exploring other legal avenues to continue their fight for justice.

Meanwhile, Jessie Misskelley Jr., who was tried separately and given a reduced sentence in exchange for a guilty plea, has also been seeking to clear his name. In 2020, he filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, arguing that his confession was coerced and that he was not given adequate legal representation during his trial.

Just last month, the Arkansas Supreme Court sided with Echols opening the door for testing using new M-Vac DNA testing.

Despite the legal challenges, the families of the victims remain committed to finding justice for their loved ones.

Pam Hicks, the mother of victim Stevie Branch, has been an outspoken advocate for the victims' rights and has worked to keep the case in the public eye.

In a 2023 interview with NBC News, Hicks said, 'It's been 30 years since my son was taken from me. I will never give up until justice is served.'

What the next twist in the threedecades- old case will be remains to be seen.

But, as the 31st anniversary of the West Memphis Three murders is marked, the tragic deaths of three young boys continues to be a powerful reminder of the importance of fair and thorough investigations, as well as the need for accountability in the criminal justice system.

Photos courtesy of PMG