West Memphis 3 freed. Heartbreaking on so many levels.

[jimsmegos]

After nearly two decades these three have there freedom returned. To me it shows how your life can change in a heartbeat, completely out of your control.

News from The Associated Press

[MIB41]

It's like they say, "Innocence or guilt is just a matter of timing." Amazing story...

[toys2cool]

we honestly don't know if they're innocent though

[Megospidey]

D, I've followed this story since Day 1 here in Arkansas. I even know the father of one of the boys (Byers). Trust me, those guys are innocent.

There is conclusive DNA evidence which exonerates them. This was a plain and simple case of the police feeling so much pressure from the community that they jumped on the FIRST whiff of a perpetrator. The detective and forensics work that was done was shoddy at best.

These guys will eventually get some kind of a new trial and be completely acquitted for this crime.

The only reason why they had to plea guilty in order to be released is to save the state of Arkansas' butt. This way, they cannot come back later (after they have been proven innocent) and sue the state.

[toys2cool]

D, I've followed this story since Day 1 here in Arkansas. I even know the father of one of the boys (Byers). Trust me, those guys are innocent.

There is conclusive DNA evidence which exonerates them. This was a plain and simple case of the police feeling so much pressure from the community that they jumped on the FIRST whiff of a perpetrator. The detective and forensics work that was done was shoddy at best.

These guys will eventually get some kind of a new trial and be completely acquitted for this crime.

The only reason why they had to plea guilty in order to be released is to save the state of Arkansas' butt. This way, they cannot come back later (after they have been proven innocent) and sue the state.

gotcha, sorry i really don't know anything about the case except what I just read..and that they had testimony from a friend that said one of them was bragging about the killings...so that's the only thing that had me thinking negative

[Megospidey]

^ No apologies necessary. I don't have a vested interest in it really. I've just followed it from day one. It did not take long for holes in the case to develop. This was clearly a case of shoddy police work.

[MIB41]

D, I've followed this story since Day 1 here in Arkansas. I even know the father of one of the boys (Byers). Trust me, those guys are innocent.

There is conclusive DNA evidence which exonerates them. This was a plain and simple case of the police feeling so much pressure from the community that they jumped on the FIRST whiff of a perpetrator. The detective and forensics work that was done was shoddy at best.

These guys will eventually get some kind of a new trial and be completely acquitted for this crime.

The only reason why they had to plea guilty in order to be released is to save the state of Arkansas' butt. This way, they cannot come back later (after they have been proven innocent) and sue the state.

Fascinating. So I believe under false imprisonment the state will have to pay them handsomely. I've heard that most people who get released after DNA evidence has cleared them, are given some kind of financial judgement for damages of being in prison for any significant amount of time.

[MIB41]

D, I've followed this story since Day 1 here in Arkansas. I even know the father of one of the boys (Byers). Trust me, those guys are innocent.

There is conclusive DNA evidence which exonerates them. This was a plain and simple case of the police feeling so much pressure from the community that they jumped on the FIRST whiff of a perpetrator. The detective and forensics work that was done was shoddy at best.

These guys will eventually get some kind of a new trial and be completely acquitted for this crime.

The only reason why they had to plea guilty in order to be released is to save the state of Arkansas' butt. This way, they cannot come back later (after they have been proven innocent) and sue the state.

Fascinating. So I believe for false imprisonment the state will have to pay them handsomely. I've heard that most people who get released after DNA evidence has cleared them, are given some kind of financial judgement for damages of being in prison for any significant amount of time.

[Megospidey]

^ I think by taking this plea agreement today, they cannot sue the state for false imprisonment.

The state of Arkansas was over a barrel. The prosecuting attorney knows there is evidence which exonerates the three men. However, they don't want egg on their face or a potential lawsuit when they are released...so they arranged to give them the "Alford deal" which states that they can have their freedom as long as they plea guilty to the crime, thereby ensuring that they can never come back and sue the state for wrongful imprisonment.

This is what has a lot of people up in arms. How is justice served in that? If these men were innocent (which I think it will be proven conclusively), the state of Arkansas should be held liable for wrongful imprisonment. It looks like now they won't be.

[Goblin19]

I've followed this case pretty closely over the years and I think it's safe to say there's literally no evidence linking them to the murders. This is good news.

[jimsmegos]

While the Alford plea agreement does cover the states butt from a civil suit I don't know if it would include an investigation from the Attorney General's office. The City officials, Law Enforcement and Prosecutors in the original case should be investigated and held accountable.

One thing that truly impresses me is that Jason Baldwin showed how pure his heart is in agreeing to the deal because it would save the life of Echols. That to me is very admirable.

Here's an explanation of the Alford agreement...

What Is An Alford Plea - KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas:

[madmarva]

I actually covered the police and courts beat in West Memphis (my hometown) just prior to to the murders before moving into sports reporting. The PA and the cops who were involved faced tremendous pressure to get the case to trial and convict. The town was terrified, particularly by the rumors of Satanic cult involvement. The Wal-Mart in West Memphis at the time sold guns, and within the day of news of the murders slipping out, the store sold out of guns. When a confession was coerced from Misskelley, whose IQ was about 70, the police and the PA never looked back and were never really allowed to look back.

The three teens were from the proverbial "other side of the tracks" and had been involved in some minor trouble-making around the town. When they were implicated, the powers that be did not mind buying into their guilt and, I believe, unconsciously using them as scapegoats. I do believe those involved in the investigation (as poorly executed as it was) and the prosecution truly convinced themselves of the the three's guilt.

But, from the get-go many around town suspected one or more of the parents were involved in the crime or that their actions prompted it. Drug use by the parents of the three kids was widely rumored or even known as fact. It is interesting that all involved with the investigation and prosecution quickly moved their careers in other directions. There were rumors that at least one of the murdered children often came to school with signs of abuse.

One of the families of the murdered boys rented a house from a family member of mine, and when that couple moved out, his handyman found several strange things had been done to the house as he was preparing it to be rented again.

Each of the three bedrooms and both of the bathrooms had locks on the outside of the door so that a person could be locked into a room. All of the windows had been nailed shut from the outside. There were burn marks on the carpet all around the baseboards in the living room. Now, all of that sounds weird, but it's not criminal, and it certainly doesn't implicate murder.

In the early years after the conviction, I had those in law enforcement in the town tell me that there was no doubt that the Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley were involved in the murders, that there was evidence that couldn't be used in court for various reasons, and I had another — a bail bondsman — who told me that he had little doubt that the three were scapegoated. Over the years, I've come to believe the latter, through various investigations, books and documentaries.

This whole thing was sad from the deaths of the children, to the 18-year incarceration of three people who likely had no involvement with the murders to how proper procedure can be thrown out the door just to quell fear and how pride and money takes precedence over truth.

[Megospidey]

Terry, you are DEAD ON about the parents. My suspicions have always been that one of them committed these crimes (and I know which one I suspect).

You are also right, I believe, that the police stopped investigating the crime once they felt they had the perps in custody. They just never looked back or considered anyone else. There was simply too much pressure to "get" these 3 teens for this horrific crime.

[Hector]

Whether they are truly innocent or not...they pleaded guilty in the deal...they will not be getting a dime....and that will cast a shadow on them for the rest of their lives.

[madmarva]

Whether they are truly innocent or not...they pleaded guilty in the deal...they will not be getting a dime....and that will cast a shadow on them for the rest of their lives.

You're right, but at least they are out of jail. Maybe they can cash in with a book or a movie and honestly I hope they can. But really, they've lost — if not their best years of their lives — their early adult live which I particularly enjoyed.

The whole thing has the smackings of a modern-day Salem witch hunt.