West Memphis 3 Released today - 8/19

[Tara]

"Three men convicted of killing three West Memphis boys in 1993 could be freed at a court hearing Friday, a person close to the case told CNN.
All three of the men -- Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley Jr. and Jason Baldwin, dubbed the "West Memphis Three" -- are expected to attend the hearing in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Friday." More at Link (http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/08/19/arkansas.child.killings/index.html?hpt=hp_c1)
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I never expected to read this news this morning.

[KellyMarie]

I saw this on Headline News this morning..made me sick to think they might be freed. I remember this crime and case all too well, it was too close to home and it was horrific :(

[Heather]

Wow that is scary.

[Tara]

"Under the agreement, called an Alford plea, Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley told the court they would plead guilty to reduced charges of first-degree, rather than capital murder, while continuing to maintain that they are innocent. An Alford plea allows defendants to assert their innocence, while conceding that the state has enough evidence to convict them."
Link (http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2011/08/19/flash-west-memphis-3-freed-in-plea-bargain-on-1993-murders)
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I finished watching the press conference a little bit ago. They probably would have been given a new trial after the hearing in December. 18 years - evidence lost or destroyed, witnesses have changed their minds, & at least one witness has died- the state wouldn't have been able to put on the exact same case. More than likely, the new jury might have found them completely innocent. Then they could have sued the state.

Jessie was actually offered a plea bargain all those years ago. The prosecutor (think it was that person) said had he taken that, he'd have been let out 7 years ago. That was how they decide to release all 3 after 18 years.

I don't really understand this.

[karenv]

I dont understand this at all!!!!!!

[Delissa]

I don't remember this case or have enough info to make an informed opinion. But, if they are guilty-then this is pretty freaking horrible.

[KellyMarie]

I don't remember this case or have enough info to make an informed opinion. But, if they are guilty-then this is pretty freaking horrible.

As always, the media made us all believe these 3 men murdered these boys Delissa, but if you read all the facts...it could have been a number of people, and as usual, another botched up murder scene in Arkansas...wikipedia has a ton of info on it, this page is rather long but has many possible suspects listed
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Memphis_3

[Tara]

I found many documents at http://callahan.8k.com/ for case at that site. Even after reading all that I really don't know.
Link (http://news.yahoo.com/arkansas-judge-accepts-plea-deal-frees-memphis-3-165719493.html)"He said the West Memphis Three would continue to work to clear their names." - I wish them well with that task.

Peace for Stevie, Micheal & Chris's families. Today couldn't have been easy for them.

[Delissa]

After some research, I guess the only conclusion is that the west Memphis pd royally screwed the pooch on that one! FUBAR.