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Founded Memphis Jurist
On 6th May 1993, the bodies of three missing boys were discovered in the Robin Hood Hills area of West Memphis. Christopher Byers, James Moore and Stephen Branch were found mutilated and left in a ditch. Rumour that this was a ritualistic killing by Satanists spread quickly through the small town and fingers soon started pointing in the direction of quiet loner, Damien Echols, who enjoyed listening to Metallica and wearing black.
Confession to Murder
Not long after, Misskelley confessed to the murder and implicated both his friends, Echols and Baldwin. This confession was apparently coerced, with Misskelley believing if he told the police what they wanted to hear, they would let him go home. He also had no lawyer present, which was a direct violation of his juvenile rights. After an appeal to have the confession suppressed was denied, Misskelley was tried and convicted.
The confession was later proved to be highly flawed. Several weeks later Echols and Baldwin went to trial, which also ended in conviction. Echols was sentenced to death. At the time of the murders he was 18 years old. Misskelley received life in prison plus 40 years, he was 17 years old and Baldwin received a life sentence at the age of 16.