Image in support of the WM3, composed of portraits of Echols, Misskelley, and Baldwin, as rendered by Shepard Fairey
It has been announced that a deal struck about three weeks ago has transpired to allow Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley — long known as the West Memphis Three, and jailed, it has been argued, for child murders that they likely did not commit — to go free. “The defendants,” it was said at today’s press conference, “are now at liberty and will remain at liberty” — so long as they don’t violate terms of the deal that got them released. The Three actually pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 18 years in prison with credit for time served, but the deal will allow them to maintain their innocence; no DNA evidence linked the men to the crimes. As of this writing, the Three are “being processed out,” and will, later today, almost two decades in prison, be free men.
Further coverage of today’s events:
After 18 years, “West Memphis 3” go free on plea deal | WM3.org | The ‘West Memphis Three’ Are Freed, Giving A Documentary A New Ending
Finally! Good news I suppose..but took way too long in comin….
Hallelujah.
The legal system isn't about guilt or innocence, it is about who is the better actor in front of the jury and who can bend the "facts" better. Remember the judge decides what is evidence for the jury to hear, better this than really let them hear the TRUTH! Right now we have way too many guilty poeple free to commite new crimes and way too many innocent people in prison doing some one elses time. It is time to take a very hard look at the justice system and try to remidy this.
Amazing. Rod, you've done a great deal to bring this ongoing injustice to our attention for a long time now. Thank you.