West Memphis Three: Damien Echols Jessie Miskelley and Jason Baldwin Released
Jonesboro, AR- In a statement released Thursday, new judge David N. Laser announced an unscheduled hearing in the case of The West Memphis Three.
Damien Echols, Charles “Jason” Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley have been incarcerated for 18 years for the murders of Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Chris Byers.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity to www.blinkoncrime.com, a source connected to the West Memphis Police Department has confirmed that Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin have already been released from the Arkansas Department of Corrections; Misskelley has not.
Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley, along with their families, and the families of the victims, are expected to attend today’s hearing.
Check back to www.blinkoncrime.com for this developing story.
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And what ever doc gave her the option of “IDIOT” doesnt need to be practicing! IMPO! I don’t care if it was 30 years ago!! I don’t like the word “retarted” either…
I don’t think Misskelley is mentally challenged or mentally retarded either. He is point of fact not a good liar. He was not able to lie effectively enough to save himself or his friends. Some people are fantastic and very believable liars….the C word comes to mind. Jesse was not a good liar. It is odd to me that Echols and Baldwin would even hold a press conference with Misskelley present being that Misskelley fingered both of them in all his confessions (I’m on #4 now). I would have proclaimed Misskelley a liar and that I murdered no one and that the real killer was still out. I don’t believe Baldwin’s claim that he only took this plea deal to save Damien’s life. And when their lawyers started talking, I was inclined to believe that the lawyers thought the audience to be mentally challenged so as to be spoonfed information and not really smart enough to read ALL the evidence theirselves and come to a reasonable conclusion.
Bam, Sorry you don’t have kids and want them. Being a mother is wonderful but it has been the most challeging job ever. I used to think my mom was lying when she said so. Anyways, I am not on either bandwagon with this case just yet. I am anxiously awaiting part 2. And, I agree “idiot” was never acceptable.
@ Bam
OT, but HUGS — I know you are in a much better place now, but I can relate to some of what you share. Because I’m going though a rather difficult time at the moment, your words touched me.
Eagerly awaiting the remaining installments to Blink’s coverage of this.
I have to say, reading the many confessions from Jessie was truly difficult… but still pouring through more documents related to this case…
@Bamalicious- heart you. There are many things I can be overly sensitive about on occasion, well, lol on many occasions. What I respect so much, is your ability to vent yours kindly and respectfully.
I dunno why, but I think I learned from my Mom that conflict is supposed to make you grow if done correctly.
@ mikki I know, brutal, isn’t it?
B
I know for myself Id prefer the term learning challanged, I can do most everything else , except math , that is where I’m challenged, and I despise the term mentally retarded , becaue I am NOT mentally retarded, I just have trouble in the math dept .
I aint any better than anyone else but I’m not any worse.
Blink, the website I listed earlier:
http://web.archive.org/web/20070928003145/http://www.wm3.org/live/caseintroduction/synopsis_dan.php?page=2
This is the synopsis written by Dan Stidham that I asked you about in an earlier post. The police informed Jesse Misskelley that he failed the polygraph and that in fact he was lying his a$$ off.
It was a little later that Stidham had the original polygraph reviewed by Warren Holmes; his background experience is listed at the site above. It was Mr. Holmes that said Jesse Misskelley only failed one part of the polygraph. It was in reference to a question pertaining to drugs.
If you keep reading you will find Stidham’s Motion to Dismiss based on Prosecutorial Misconduct for Echols and Baldwin’s attorney’s in regard to the second confession given by Jesse Misskelley. The motion was denied in court.
There is a lot of information out there regarding the WM3, this is just one little site out of many.
ok, so a defense witness was saying her was only deceptive in one area based on the charts?
FYI- I found at least 5 factual errors in that information, keep in mind, Stidham was his defense attorney, who, btw, was not present last week. That said, I do think he did a good job defending Jessie in this case.
B
one thing that could be a major indicator that jesse is telling the truth is that he said he threw up,as he was leaving the woods(thanks bam for reminding me). my sister once told me that when someone kills someone,even accidentlly ,it is a scientific fact that they throw up,reflex action that they cant stop.not positive it is true,anyone know?.but would that mean jesse would’ve had to of killed or was his guilt over his participation and witnessing ,overwhelming enough to make him vomit?
I am haunted after reading the Misskelley confessions. Yes, there are inconsistencies, but in totality a very vivid picture of what happened to those three little boys emerges.
I was wondering if you read them back to back?
B
I read the confessions back to back. And yes, I agree. A very vivid picture of what happened emerges. Yes, it haunts me, too.
Essay Kaye, it seems pretty clear to me that either someone put that picture in his head or he was there. This has nothing to do with his mental capacity. I can tell half a dozen variations of a story but if certain facts are consistent through each story it gives those facts validity.
“ok, so a defense witness was saying her was only deceptive in one area based on the charts?”
Actually the way I read it, Mr. Holmes came to his conclusion based on the original polygraph test and his past experience.
“FYI- I found at least 5 factual errors in that information, keep in mind, Stidham was his defense attorney, who, btw, was not present last week. That said, I do think he did a good job defending Jessie in this case.
B”
That’s why I want to read what you have. I have trouble figureing out who’s “facts” are indeed “fact”. Mr. Stidham claims his are, I’m interesting to see what yours are! Hopefully you will print those 5 factual errors as well.
So many of us are questioning Misskelly’s level of intellect and whether or not he was unfairly questioned/poly’d….
-snipped-
He was no stranger to the criminal justice system, a factor which we have considered in the past.
http://courts.state.ar.us/opinions/1996/cr94-848.html
Misskelly had a criminal history prior to his confession”s”. His knew his rights. He understood the line of questioning (from experience). He knew enough to change his story 3 times. Ultimately, he hung himself. His only way out, in his mind, was to claim stupidity, literally. He was NOT that dumb, as he’d conveniently would want all involved to believe.
-snipped-
Next, the appellant (aka Misskelly Jr.) argues that his age and mental capacity rendered his confession involuntary. While age and mental capacity are factors we consider, those factors standing alone are not sufficient to suppress a confession. Mitchell v. State, 295 Ark. 341, 750 S.W.2d 936 (1988); Douglas v. State, supra.
I do not know what supra means, but I know the saying ‘that dog ain’t gonna hunt’. By now, we all know his confessions were never involuntary.
G’nite Blinkland. I love you all! XO
supra as a legal term means “above” in the previously cited case within the brief.
I would also point out that Misskelley was in the juvie system since he was 10 years old, and no notations of any diminished capacity of any kind until the infamous IQ testing to have his trial adjudicated.
B
B
Never have posted before, too busy flip-flopping, until I read the Misskelley confessions on the Callahan site. I believe they are the truth. They are just too real, even with the discrepancies. The clincher for me is his telling of one of the boys getting away and he chasing him down. There is no other reason to relate this other than it happened. And that is what a little boy would do in this situation IMHO, fight for his life, try to break free and get away. The chronology of events in these confessions is so in keeping with the evidence. Really brings it all home for me and how very very sad for these 3 little 8-year-olds to have crossed paths with these monsters. I can see why the other 2 would want the world to think this guy is mentally handicapped. It doesn’t take much research to find these confessions. Their impact is enormous. I don’t think I would be convinced of their without having read them. I wonder if the Dixie Chick and Movie Star ever read them. Looking forward to part 2.
When I get to it, there are some subleties within them that has me convinced he is being truthful to the best of his recollection in the 3rd confession, outside of the fact his attorneys spent days trying to talk him out of giving it.
B
My son is entering the 2nd grade, and I just can’t read some of this stuff and sleep. But after reading comments about the three convicted felons, I want to express one opinion. If they ARE guilty, then Jason Baldwin is the most frightening to me; he would have to be a true sociopath to have committed this crime and maintain his apparent demeanor.
I concur.
B
Blink’s probably burning the midnight oil, but I’m wondering
If we’ve confirmed that young Christopher Byers took carbamezipine for epilepsy?
Found in his bloodstream in non-therapeutic amount could indicate he’d missed a dose-anyone with experience with
This med in peds?
also, I’m curious about the intact hyoid bone, despite allegedly being choked by Damien with a large stick, acc to Miskelley’s June 1 statement.
Question
As based on autopsy report posted at Callahan.
q based on autopsy report posted at Callahan.
Sry silly iPad and silly me.
g,nite Blinkers.
Carol says:
August 22, 2011 at 6:50 pm
__________________
Carol, I rather like the term “differently abled”. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, no matter who we are. Were we all capable of all of the very same things, academically, mentally, physically or otherwise, we’d not need one another so much.
There are so many things that could be amiss with Misskelly, mental retardation doesn’t have to be one of them. ADD comes to mind as one of the possibilities.
@Morgan and ADHD, I would agree with that
When I watched Paradise Lost for the first time a couple of weeks ago, I came away with a very uneasy feeling about Jason. His body language, the lack of eye contact with his attorney, his constant silence…it was more than alarming. For me, it was watching a child who had done something unspeakable and had just gotten caught. I would suspect even a fearful child, when prompted by his own attorney, would tearfully agree that he was no where near those woods, and didn’t hurt any of those boys, etc. Instead, he was eerily silent and his face showed, for me, that his mind was racing with awful memories.
Fast forward 18 years. Echols seems to have embraced his celebrity; Jason seems to have developed confidence and euphoria; Jessie is nervous and just wants to go home. Interesting.
I have to say, one of my editors picked up on that as well, BEFORE we discovered the ice axe. At first I thought was a better litigator than defense strategist by far, because I read transcripts first.
B
RE: I was wondering if you read them back to back?
B
***********
Yes. I read everything together: Misskelley’s two June 3, 1993 statements, as well as the account of the statement he gave against the advice of his counsel on February 17, 1994.
I am looking forward to your next article.
From the first Misskelley confession (6/3/93) -
RIDGE: Do you know what his penis is?
JESSIE: Yeah, that’s where he was cut at.
RIDGE: That’s where he was cut.
GITCHELL: Which boy was that?
JESSIE: That one right there.
GITCHELL: You’re talking about the Byers boy again?
JESSIE: Yes
GITCHELL: Okay
RIDGE: Are you sure that he was the one that was cut?
JESSIE: That’s the one that I seen them cutting on.
RIDGE: Alright, you know what a penis is?
JESSIE: Yeah
From the Misskelley Trial Testimony (1/27/94) -
STIDHAM: Did it ever occur to you that, uh, Mr. Misskelley has a mental handicap?
RIDGE: No sir, it didn’t to me on that date.
STIDHAM: Did you think this little tape recorded statement with the little boy’s eerie voice, saying what it said, did you think that would scare him?
RIDGE: Yes sir, I thought that probably would scare him if he was involved.
————————————–
I find it incredibly interesting, and quite telling, that Ridge testified that it did not occur to him that Misskelley had a mental handicap, although, according to the questioning during the confession, he asked Miskelley twice if he knew what a Penis was. Does this seem like the type of question you would ask an 18 year old if you felt he was operating under full mental capacity?
Furthermore, playing the tape of the little boy’s voice to invoke fear would appear to be an interrogation technique used on a child. Would it make sense to use this type of technique on someone who, under normal mental capacity, would clearly not have taken such an act seriously?
Ridge knew, although he stated he did not, that Misskelley was mentally handicapped, as evidenced by his line of questioning and interrogation techniques. The question is, why didn’t he admit this at trial? I think we all know the answer to that question…
Cat-
I think that is the obvious argument on the whole capacity issue, but I was wondering if you listened to Aaron Hucheson’s interviews ( if you can stand to get through them all).
He flat out accused Jesse of molestation, and more than one witness said Miskelley “like to be around little kids.” now, I dont say that he did or did not, I am just repeating what I read. In my mind, Ridge was armed with that information, and could have equally been gauging his response to the question itself (reaction to the fact he asked the question in the first place).
Respectfully, aren’t you missing the part that he knew which child was emasculated, when nobody else did?
What about the second and third confessions, or are you claiming the fruit of the poisonous tree here?
B
I know this is a pro-guilty site but very informative with links back to callahan site with the actual transcripts. http://www.wm3truth.com It appears that Jessie confessed 9 known times. The thing that got me is at the bible confession (2/8/94) Jessie said he was drinking from an Evan Williams whiskey bottle & after the killings on his way home he threw it under an overpass – they found that bottle. This FACT places him there.
Waiting with much anticipation for Blink’s next article!
I am interested in Buddy Lucas and Jessie’s shoes. Blink, do you know if the Adidas shoes were tested for blood way back then?
Wonder if Buddy Lucas was on hand at the recent BBQ?
they were eventually tested yes, but there was some conflict as to which shoes were trended and when, to my knowledge neither had blood on them.
B
cat ,could ridg be making sure jessie knows the word penis ,for educational lack,not mental lack.
blink ,do you know for sure the ice axe is producible,or was it lost too?
Regarding the “bite mark” and the wound in the middle… Did anyone suspected have a tongue piercing?
Ok, finally made time to read the confessions…
The confession on 2-17-94, which I believe is referenced by Blink as the “3rd” confession, represents to me a young man who has had enough of the shenanigans, and wants to be truthful to the best of his recollection.
IRT mentally challenged/mentally retarded/learning disabled/etc…
First of all, if you go back far enough, you can actually find “mentally retarded” on school transcripts, for which we now have new, creative, and more politically correct verbage…
Secondly, JM appears to be uneducated, and as a result, he appears illiterate. He doesnt “speak well”. Ok he butcher’s the Queen’s english as we know it. So since when does that translate in to being mentally handicapped(or whatever we are allowed to call it)? I have Uncles with a 3rd grade education, to talk to them is painful sometimes, and comical to a certain extent. They were born and raised in Kansas, in BFE. They moved to CA in the dust bowl movement with my grandparents. One of them is now a real estate tycoon and probably a millionaire…The other retired as an auto mechanic and was a genius under the hood of a car…
I do not want to get political, but for Christ’s sake, everything doesnt need a justifying label…remember, not that long ago, there werent serial killers, those were werewolves killing all those people…lol
Cat says:
August 23, 2011 at 12:35 pm
From the first Misskelley confession (6/3/93) -
___________________________
I have to agree with Cat on this one. Later on in the confession:
RIDGE: okay, what occurred while you were there?
JESSIE: When I was there, I saw Damian hit these one boy real bad, and then uh, and he started screwing them and stuff and then uh,
RIDGE: Alright, you got in front of you a picture, that was taken out of the newspaper I believe, it’s got three boys and these are the three boys that were killed on that date in Robin Hood Woods, okay, which one of those three boys is it you say Damian hit? The third picture, which will be
JESSIE: Michael Moore
GITCHELL: This boy right here,
JESSIE: Yeah,
GITCHELL: Alright, that’s uh the Byers boy, that’s who you are pointing at?
JESSIE: Yes
RIDGE: If you read the caption, the grizzly slain from left, 8 year old Michael Moore, Steven Branch and Christopher Byers. Okay, so you saw Damian strike Chris Byers in the head.
JESSIE: Right
________________________________
Blink said:
Respectfully, aren’t you missing the part that he knew which child was emasculated, when nobody else did?
Blink, it was already in the newspapers, and he had a picture of the 3 boys in front of him (from the newspaper). Jesse said “Michael Moore”. Gitchell corrected him to Chris Byers.
Sorry, I’m still really having a problem with this. I feel like they were feeding him information, correcting him when he didn’t get it “right”, and leading him the whole time.
mjh
mjh, respectfully your proving my point. He called Chris Michael Moore because he did not know them by name specifically, but he pointed to Byers. He knew which one. What other explanation can there be?
B
Re: Jesse’s confessions….just wondering what you thought about Dr. Ofshe’s testimony?
Total and complete bunk as it relates to this case.
B
I guess what I am trying to say, after reading all of the confessions, is, I feel that Gitchell is the one that pointed out Byers to Jesse, not the other way around.
The next interview, same day:
Gitchell: Which, which boys were raped?
Jessie: Uh, Byers and the Branch.
Gitchell: Ok, so you know them by name and face, well enough to call them by name?
Jessie: Uh huh.
_________________________
Now, he knows them well enough by name and face?
Also, when the boys were first discovered, it appeared as though they had been raped. But, later, they found that the boys had not been raped. In Jesse’s last confession, he changes it to “they were going to rape them, but they didn’t”.
It just seems that Jesse was saying what he thought they wanted him to say… and as the “evidence” changed, so did his confession.
Something just isn’t sitting right with me on these confessions.
But that is not accurate, you heard the tape, or read the transcript.
That said, there are inconsistent statements, and in fairness, I am going to give my opinion as to how “he gets there” when combined with the crime scene and evidence in this case.
As a smoking gun, this misfires for miskelley, I agree. ( yes chapter header)
Blink, first I want to say I am a big fan. Thank you for all this research and reporting. I am still on the fence about the WM3, sometimes I think they are guilty, sometimes I think they are innocent. I asked someone, who said they were very familiar with the case, to look over your report.
I am submitting, extremely respectfully, their objections…
First, the person said that “the boys went missing at 6pm, police were called at 8. By 9:30, two WMPD officers and half a dozen civilians were searching…Regina Meek took the missing persons report at the Byers home at 8pm….she went into Robin Hood Hills and left after ten minutes because she was covered in mosquito bites. She passed within a few feet of where the bodies were found the next day….in the coroners report there was no reference to any fresh mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are drawn to the vapor trail we leave behind when we exhale, Ergo those children were not breathing by the time they entered Ronin Hood Hills..”
Second, the person came back to the hair that matched Hobbs. The person said the “eyelets of a pair of tennis shows do an excellent job of straining debris off as you remove shoelaces….the odds of Hobb’s hair remaining on the shoelaces is already slim. Add to that the odds of his hair being exactly in the right place for it to be trapped in the knot that was tied…is impossible.” In this person’s opinion, Hobb’s hair got on the shoelace as he was bending over to tie the knot.
Please, when you have a chance, let me know your response. I am only asking because I am not smart enough to put this all together. This case is so over my head, but I have become obsessed with it, because I just need to have an answer. I am starting to feel like we will never know about this case, and it is driving me crazy.
A big fan,
R.
Rebecca- respectfully, you apparently never read my report, nor did your friend, it does not contain that information. That’s insulting. If you want answers, try reading what those of us trying to stay as objective as possible are writing.
B
I did read the report, several times. You are the reason I am no longer a steadfast supporter of the WM3. I am now in nowhere land with where I stand. I have actually been bragging about how wonderful your report is, and in response I was attacked for “not knowing enough.” So, I asked the person who attacked me to read your report, and I posted their above response. Like I said, I am not smart enough to put all of this together. That is why I decided to get enough courage to ask you directly. And I guess I need to just shut up and not think about this case anymore. It looks like if you stay on the fence too long, both sides end up attacking you. Thanks.
Rebecca- read your comment, you said based on my report, you wanted me to address the objections to it- which are NOT in it. You can appreciate my response in that regard.
Not picking on you, tell your “person” to read it themselves, cause if that was their response, they did not.
Your plenty smart, btw, and advocacy does not make anyone take a side.
B
Do we know if these sweet boys could tie their own shoes???
Now that is an excellent question. To my knowledge they could, but they were all high tops, so I am not sure how much tying they did of them in 1993.
B
[...] Blogger Blink from Blink on Crime - She will be discussing the recent developments with the West Memphis 3 and what’s been happening in Aruba in the case of missing American Robyn Gardner and suspect, [...]
[...] Blogger Blink from Blink on Crime - She will be discussing the recent developments with the West Memphis 3 and what’s been happening in Aruba in the case of missing American Robyn Gardner and suspect, [...]
It is well known that mosquitos are greatly more attracted to some people than others. Women wearing certain perfumes are particularly attractive targets, but many other factors play into it. There is significant research in this area, due to the diseases carried by mosquitos. But, some mystery remains as to why some people are just BAIT. Also, mosquitos are less likely to bite during the day.
(Anecdotally: If my daughter is with us, they will bite her and leave the rest of us alone. If she isn’t there, they will bite me and leave the rest of the family alone. I don’t recall that my son has ever had a mosquito bite, because one of us is always there to keep the mosquitos busy!)
So, imho, even if the story above about mosquito bites were true, it would not prove that the boys were not alive in those woods. It only proves that Regina Meeks was not dead when she entered the woods.
Rebecca, it seems to me that the person who reviewed Part I of Blink’s report went straight for two issues that weren’t covered yet. Always an interesting approach, rather than directly rebutting what has been presented.
Note that Blink is saying you are very welcome to stay on the fence. Those reluctant to rush to an opinion in a complex situation like this are valuable contributors.
I have not covered this yet, but I will make it easy. If one is smoking weed, or if there is incense in the form of a candle, it will deter mosquitos. That said, mosquitos do not bite the dead. Neil Haskell did a great job on this one, I will reference.
B
great question Lisa!
The person that gave me the objections wrote something about the shift switch that you, B, mention in the beginning of your report. They said there was no shift change, and i am not sure how but they tied that into the whole thing with that regina person. If you want I can just copy and past the objections.
I guess I am not a very good messenger.
Also, the person wrote something about the fabric physical evidence you cited as not being the best evidence. And then that’s when they went off on the Hobb’s stuff. I guess, to that person, the Hobb’s DNA hair situation is a lot more conclusive than the physical evidence against the WM3.
Now, I did ask that person what he/she thought about the DNA found on Echol’s necklace. B, I don’t think you had that in your report, but I read it somewhere.
Sorry if I offended you, I need to be a better messenger
Rebecca-
this is not a blog within my blog. I am happy to field relevant questions that contain source links.
Thanks
B
[...] Blogger Blink from Blink on Crime - She will be discussing the recent developments with the West Memphis 3 and what’s been happening in Aruba in the case of missing American Robyn Gardner and suspect, [...]
B are you in central or eastern time zone?
EST
B
oh and the person never responded to me about the DNA on Echol’s necklace. Let me know if you want me to copy and paste the person’s objections. I didn’t because I thought it was best to edit them— let’s just say the person wasn’t very nice.
No thank you, I am mostly a stick to topic gal.
B
I have read all the available documents and now understand why there are those who believe in their innocence. It is like a couple of chapters out of “Deliverance.”. Many children do not go to school, many parents do not work, 13 and 14 year olds are left to their own devices, children with serious mental conditions roam freely, abuse, violence and theft go unchecked. It was like the perfect storm. That said, I tried to review the transcripts with discernment – looking for truth. I believe that Jesse was there. I believe that Domini knows exactly what happened. I believe James Baldwin freely participated with his friend Michael Damien who was schizophrenic and unsupervised with a serious illness.
I will pray that one single family member of these 3 will one day have the courage to speak the truth and let these three precious victims lay for once in peace.
@ Rebecca says:
August 23, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Bunk up lil camper. It’s not what you don’t know. You came to BOC with an open mind and that’s all that’s ever asked…that, and respect. There are some who will question your theories or opinions and ask for facts. If they’re right, learn from them. If you know they’re wrong and still on your case, it’s not about you. It’s about their ignorance and inability to be gracious in a moment of truth. My father in law, God bless him, is always right even when you lay it down for him. I just realized it’s not me, it’s his insecurity to be wrong. Being wrong is great! You learn, grow, wise up…if you’re willing.
Please don’t let one person bring you down. It’s never worth it.
Mucho love, friendy! XO
I am acquaintances with one of the girls who testified against Echols…specifically one of the girls who heard him confess at the concession stand.
She’s terrified that this psychopath is going to come after her & is having some real issues at the moment.
She was just a kid who didn’t ask to hear what she heard.
I so feared this. Fwiw, I do not feel that any of these three are going to go near this situation.
That said, it is my recommendation that this person speak with LE, and share concerns.
B
So…if any of the WM3 confessed NOW – does double jeapordy apply?
They could give an interview from the space station announcing their crime, no charges to follow.
B
Respectfully, Jesse did have the courage to speak the truth. I have not watched or read anything with regards to him confessing for the tip money. Jesse not only confessed to the police but to his friend that he gave his shoes to and who knows who else. The little boy Aaron I think overheard Jesse “confessing” and that’s where his information came from, or Jesse actually confessed to the child. There are discrepancies, but the gist of the truth is there. Confession #3 is the best in my opinion, but the first two were quite chilling as well. The boy scouts were lured, ambushed and beaten and allowed to drown and bleed to death in a most sadistic way. No devil worship. No satanism. Just plain EVIL!
Blink says:
Respectfully, aren’t you missing the part that he knew which child was emasculated, when nobody else did?
—————————-
Well, therein lies the speculation, we certainly have no knowledge of what discussions took place prior to the confession. When you state that “nobody else knew”, respectfully, this is not entirely accurate. Detective Ridge, who essentially “claims” under oath of not knowing Jessie was mentally handicapped and is noted in several occasions, even within the confession, of leading Jessie along knew. Who is the say that during the 12 hour long interrogation, this information wasn’t stated at some point? We certainly do not know, but need to realize that it may be entirely possible, considering there was “zero” legal representation in the room for Jessie during this time and no recordings of the conversation seem to exist.
A competent defense attorney could/should have ripped that first entire confession to shreds line by line, as there are a multitude of inconsistencies, even with Ridge’s assistance, with Jessie’s confession.
Furthermore, it is well noted, that the investigation itself and the particulars of the crime were fairly well known within the community. A local newspaper (The Commercial Appeal I believe), intercepted a conversation about the murders on a police scanner, which SPECIFICALLY noted the castration. They went on to print the story with this detail in the following day’s newspaper. People talk, especially in a small town with loose lipped LE.
In the original interview with Damien, it was reported that he was taking an antidepresant Amipromin (actually Imipramine). This drug when taken over a period of time will cause enlargement of the breast in both men and women. Looking at the photos of Damien at the Callahan site, the two shirtless photos show this type of development.
Jessie reports in his confessions that Damien was consuming alcohol (beer), a substance that has bad reactions in a person taking Imipramine. Total range of behaviors from sleep to super active and loss of reality.
Damien was/is a metal head. Most of the music he liked was from Metallica. Metal music is derived from the Goth period of history. Think Henery the VIII in England where strange behavior and clothing were common.
Young people as early as fourteen often use this behavior to make themselves appear different from the rest of their age group. Girls will dress in black, dye their hair black, use black nail polish, black lipstick and black eye shadow. Guys will wear black clothing and dye their hair black.
These are young people crying out for help and attention by making such a statement with dress and behavior.
I find it strange that Jessie stayed with the basic facts across his various confessions, but changed the details. He admitted that he was mostly drunk. Some drunks can function very well mechanically,but cannot remember details of the activities they engage in while drunk. There is not a doubt in my mind that Jessie was present during the attack of the three young boys. Was he their the entire time. I believe the he was and he just blocked that part out.
I re-read this this morning, I take it back, there is nothing to clobber you with, lol, it is true.
I also admit that I am a metal-head and grunger, as well as rocker and lover of every kind of music on any given day. The only music I do not care for in any way is anything intentionally violent or that has an intent to inspire violence, and I could not name a band that preforms that stuff.. so.. I do not let my children download anything but clean versions of anything.
I have everything from Sinatra, Johnny Cash to Tonic to Paramor to Pink to Papa Roach and everything in between on my ipod, one of my faves is the Twilight soundtrack, which my kids will not let me listen to in the car because it is so 2 years ago.
I wish their really were the kind of glee-clubs one sees on glee, because I think it would be a great way for kids looking to express themselves and not feel the pressure to be different without an outlet of some kind.
The reality is that angry (oversimplification I know) people, with no place to go with it will look for, and find a means to stay angry, so they will seek a dark place to “be”.
I grew up in a home of meager means when I was a child, but I have never had to live in the kind of conditions these “3″ did, and certainly the parenting issues were like a recipe for disaster for them, and that has not been lost on me. I thank God daily that I grew up in my house, and not theirs.
B
Is it true that two of the suspects fled the state of Arkansas immediately after the murder? I saw that somewhere reported this week, but unconfirmed. If that is true, would everyone agree that is very odd behavior for juveniles?
I saw a video of an old interview with Echols, he had long hair, appeared to be about mid 20s or so, he was talking very slowly, and the question was asked if he could do his life over would he change anything, and he said NO, and I thought that was quite odd, and he elaborated further by saying if he changed “what? follow the rules and march like all the others” That to me indicated a very anti-social attitude, and after he said that, totally emotionless, it actually sent shivers down my spine….