'West Memphis Three' Freed after 18 years in Prison

[Mike Cruz]

A lot of people commenting on how these three were arrested with no evidence of their guilt, today they were released based on new evidence that proved their innocence. Are any of you familiar with this case? I was only 6 years old when it happened, but I read up on it last night and it seems to have been a pretty interesting case.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...,5874148.story

[Gerry]

Its all pretty bizarre.

IF there is no proof, then why were they all forced to enter a guilty plea before walking out of the courthouse? Honestly, that makes no sense.

The biggest issues is this...if they did not do it, then there is someone out there who tortured and mutilated three young boys.

So none of the events are really all that reassuring.

[Mike Cruz]

Its all pretty bizarre.

IF there is no proof, then why were they all forced to enter a guilty plea before walking out of the courthouse? Honestly, that makes no sense.

The biggest issues is this...if they did not do it, then there is someone out there who tortured and mutilated three young boys.

So none of the events are really all that reassuring.

Seems to be one of the victim's father. DNA shows one of the hairs found on the rope belonged to him, but DA is closing case unless compelling proof comes forward.

[Raider]

"Misskelley, who told them he watched as Baldwin, then 16, and Echols, then 19, killed the boys. One detective said Misskelley had also talked about being in a cult"

Gave details of the killings which was corroborated by the evidence, they all plead guilty and like all other death row inmates, lawyers against capital punishment do everything they can to spare their lives, Which includes exploiting loopholes in our justice system... The result; 3 MURDERERS on the loose.

If you and the Dixie Chicks think that's worth celebrating, knock yourselves out.

[Mike Cruz]

"Misskelley, who told them he watched as Baldwin, then 16, and Echols, then 19, killed the boys. One detective said Misskelley had also talked about being in a cult"

Gave details of the killings which was corroborated by the evidence, they all plead guilty and like all other death row inmates, lawyers against capital punishment do everything they can to spare their lives, Which includes exploiting loopholes in our justice system... The result; 3 MURDERERS on the loose.

If you and the Dixie Chicks think that's worth celebrating, knock yourselves out.

Misskelley, being mentally disabled, part of a satanic cult himself, is obviously not fit to be a key testimony in a case where three peoples lives, including his own, will be taken by the state.

Some people have a conscience and would prefer to know that the people that are going to be sending for life in prison or are going to be sentenced to death, actually did the crime.

If you bothered to look into the case, you can see that even the victims family were for releasing these boys, now men, due to the fact that there is a lack of evidence and after all these years they really do believe that they had nothing to do with the murders of their children.

[Onward]

exploiting loopholes in our justice system...

Loopholes like DNA evidence? Are you for real?

[Mike Cruz]

Loopholes like DNA evidence? Are you for real?

To her defense, I believe she's only against their release because "us, liberal, dumbocrats" see the truth here. I can almost be certain if Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh and friends were supporting them to get out and she posted it here, she would be all for it.

[Gerry]

The issue with me, is I do not know "the truth". The technicalities are somewhat pressing on the evidence, but its just bizarre that three convicted are no longer being held...are all three for real not guilty?

The "guilty pleas" entered before release was a technicality (condition) of their release in order that (despite any new or future evidence) these three can not be charged with the same crime.

I also understand that HBO was in the process and had completed a movie about this ordeal but abruptly had to edit or change the ending.

Honestly, this is a seriouisly good suspense and unsolved mystery "who done it" case, unfortunately at the expense of three young boys.

I would like to read in depth about all of this, the background, the evidence, the trial...when I get time.

[Mike Cruz]

The issue with me, is I do not know "the truth". The technicalities are somewhat pressing on the evidence, but its just bizarre that three convicted are no longer being held...are all three for real not guilty?

The "guilty pleas" entered before release was a technicality (condition) of their release in order that (despite any new or future evidence) these three can not be charged with the same crime.

I also understand that HBO was in the process and had completed a movie about this ordeal but abruptly had to edit or change the ending.

Honestly, this is a seriouisly good suspense and unsolved mystery "who done it" case, unfortunately at the expense of three young boys.

I would like to read in depth about all of this, the background, the evidence, the trial...when I get time.

Not going to claim I read all of it, but I did read a LOT and there is so much evidence that leads to them being innocent and in all honestly, because of the character that was induced into my head by the meida, before reading into their stories, I did think "Oh look, a bunch of scum bags getting released from jail because of the celebrity support they are getting". But like I try to do before speaking of anything, I look into it myself and come up with my own conclusion about things before I speak. If only everyone did this .

[Gerry]

I was never judgemental regarding the celebrity backing.

Nice for Mother Eva to hang them upon their release, and God forbid, we know how evil the Dixie Chicks are for openly criticizing Bush on invading Iraq. Surely they were wrong then to voice their opposition and MUST be wrong in this endeavor.

[Raider]

So what your all suggesting is the absence of DNA means a person(s) was NOT at the scene of a crime? Was NOT involved in the crime and is innocent?. If you Dixie Chick fans want to hold that asinine belief your more than entitled to do that, but don't go posting in others threads crying foul when Casey Anthony was acquitted for LACK of DNA evidence as well and making yourselves look like HYPOCRITES.

Loopholes like DNA evidence? Are you for real?

No, I wasn't referring to the DNA, Trying reading, it doesn't wonders for treating ignorance.

[Onward]

No, I wasn't referring to the DNA

Of course not, because things like DNA are instrumental in the innocence/guilt phase...and when they are left out or ignored - decision makers are making guilt innocence decisions with blinders on. Even with the most horrific of crimes - you cannot just choose which facts you want to pay attention to in deciding guilt innocence. This was a horrific crime committed and even more horrific that the actual killer(s) were never caught.

And Zurc - I am not in the "us" group when you say liberal..I just choose not to live with blinders on.

[DomainsInc]

"Misskelley, who told them he watched as Baldwin, then 16, and Echols, then 19, killed the boys. One detective said Misskelley had also talked about being in a cult"

Gave details of the killings which was corroborated by the evidence, they all plead guilty and like all other death row inmates, lawyers against capital punishment do everything they can to spare their lives, Which includes exploiting loopholes in our justice system... The result; 3 MURDERERS on the loose.

If you and the Dixie Chicks think that's worth celebrating, knock yourselves out.

Why is it so hard to believe that people are sometimes wrongfully convicted? Do you believe all of the death row confessions too, where someone sentenced to die suddenly confesses to dozens of unsolved murders? Celebrity backing and certainly the dixie chicks have nothing to do with anything, they've had celebrity backing (many more people than just the dixie chicks) almost since the beginning. These kids were convicted based on what they looked like, not what they did in a very backwards town that abused the justice system.

[Gerry]

And Zurc - I am not in the "us" group when you say liberal..I just choose not to live with blinders on.

Bravo. A rare breed.

[Raider]

Why is it so hard to believe that people are sometimes wrongfully convicted? Do you believe all of the death row confessions too, where someone sentenced to die suddenly confesses to dozens of unsolved murders? Celebrity backing and certainly the dixie chicks have nothing to do with anything, they've had celebrity backing (many more people than just the dixie chicks) almost since the beginning. These kids were convicted based on what they looked like, not what they did in a very backwards town that abused the justice system.

Were in the court of public opinion here, not in a court of law, And my opinion is their GUILTY. If any of you want to believe their innocence then go right ahead. As for celebrities supporting the innocence or guilt of criminals, I think it does matter because that support sways the court of public opinion whenever the media reports on it... It's no different than Oprah supporting Obama, you know he received a lot of votes from her endorsement alone.

---------- Post added at 08:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:50 AM ----------

Bravo. A rare breed.

Maybe you misunderstood, What Onward was saying is that he's not one of you.

[Gerry]

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It must be so. The Dixie Chicks are the reincarnation of Cerberus, Hade's Three Headed Dog that guarded the entrance to the underworld.

Surely they are evil. What they say is evil. What they do is evil. And all who believe and follow them will be dragged into the bowels of hell where, once again, Cerberus (aka, The Dixie Chicks) will keep guard over the entrance and not let anyone escape.