The West Memphis Three HBO Paradise Lost Purgatory: Victims Parents Plea For No Oscar, Call Film Cruel Hoax

Related Posts:

557 Comments

1. Mom3.0 says:

   February 19, 2012 at 5:10 pm

   Ragdoll- If you dont mind, could you tell me where you were able to view these autopsy photos? As I have only been able to view a select few and several of them came from the viewing of the PL Films.

   I would appreciate any help you could give thanks.

   —–
   Ps- Ragdoll, just to answer your question- ofcourse I realize LEO and experts etc are only human and can make mistakes.
   That is my point- I fear so many were made in this case that is next to impossible for anyone to know much of anything for certain- thereby leading many to reasonable doubt.

   As for this case being ‘over thinked/thunked’,and your thoughts as to “Nothing bombards the truth more than too many theories (this is NOT an attack on anyone at this site).”

   Dont worry I didnt take offense and I agree to a certain point– But this case was 18 years ago when Blink first brought it to my attention and she worked hard on her theories- as I am sure others did before her- LE, the Prosecution, the experts, the nons and the supporters – etc-

   The reason why anyone can still theorize about this case, despite the trials, despite the verdicts, despite the incarcerations, and despite the Alford pleas- is because of the many missteps, the mishandling and mistakes.

   Noone can be sure of anything- therefore it is all open to our interpretations and to our theorizing…

   AJMO
   Hugs RD
   Peace
2. Mom3.0 says:

   February 19, 2012 at 5:27 pm

   Grace- thank you for reading through my posts and for your positive feedback.

   Thanks- Now I am unsure as to which boy I was referring to also, as I think both Stevie and Mike were said to have what appeared to be blackened eyes…

   I appreciate your thoughts on the skull fractures and the possible results of sustaining such injuries (such as fluid from ears and mouth and bruising)- I must admit that all of this —is what has me at a total loss-

   It just doesnt make sense that these injuries- which are most often seen in auto accidents resulted from these boys being beaten with hands and sticks- I just can not see how that type of attack could result in these injuries….

   Thanks again Grace and I hope you will see fit to weigh in on my next posts-

   Back to trying to trying to organize my “formulations”
3. Mom3.0 says:

   February 19, 2012 at 5:33 pm

   Yikes see my brain is mush-

   reminds me of something Jack Torrence and Homer Simpson said ….

   Too many kids running around the house screaming and playing makes mom go something something

   sorry for the errors and typos.

   AJMO
4. Scott H says:

   February 19, 2012 at 6:50 pm

   Mom, after reading your post about the photos, I did a search and quickly found multiple autopsy photos I hadn’t seen since they were still hosted on wm3.org years ago. My understanding was they were not available on the internet anymore? The strange thing is, after viewing them, the site asks for $10.00 to continue using the forum they are posted on. I don’t have a way of contacting you privately, and I am not going to post a link to the site without Blink’s consent. One of the pictures really hits home when comparing it to the ice axe, unbelievable work on that Blink.

   Thank you and I agree. I would like to know who would be charging for autopsy photos please.

   B
5. Ragdoll says:

   February 19, 2012 at 6:51 pm

   @ Mom3.0

   Thumbs up!
6. Scott H says:

   February 19, 2012 at 8:53 pm

   It linked through Google search directly to the website, it appears after re-visiting the home page button that it is actually a site dedicated to death photos. Not worth a visit, it’s basically a gore fest. InitialIy I thought it was a true crime site becuase it linked directly to the forum thread, I didn’t realize how vile the site actually was. Can we have the pics taken down?

   Can you please post the link and mark private at the top and I will take a look.

   I can’t say for sure what can be done until I see what is being represented and how.
   B
7. GraceintheHills says:

   February 20, 2012 at 1:17 am

   GraceintheHills says:
   February 19, 2012 at 5:02 pm
   43. GraceintheHills says:
   February 18, 2012 at 4:03 pm

   Blink says, There is no wiggle room in the COD for these children. I realize we are not in agreement across the board on this, I am simply offering my staunch perspective the autopsies become ground zero in a case with such evidentiary issues. A belief in the manner and cause of death allows one to branch inside out.

   B

   “Evidence does not lie. People Do.”
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   Blink, It must be getting late OR I am just fuzzy from reading all day! I am confused regarding exactly what you are saying in your above response to me. If you are saying the causes of these deaths are sound, I agree with you – in particular, the drowning deaths, the head injuries. I still have questions about CB, but these questions may be easier for me to put to rest for myself if only the ME had been a bit more exact in his report OR if I had access to the autopsy photos. When I review a case this intensely I usually travel to the scene and look at the evidence (in my position, I intermittently teach a group of trainees, so it really helps when I can lay my eyes on the evidence), so I will likely be headed up to Arkansas after my stepson’s wedding. But, Ragdoll mentioned that the autopsy photos are available on the internet. If so, I have not been able to find the files anywhere. Do you know what is going on? Please tell me someone is not trying to sell them on eBay…..I’ve had two cases I was involved in where this would have happened had we not had some legal eagles watching out for just that. Cripes.

   As far as the manner and cause of death being sound, I have seen many cases where the cause and manner of death were sound, but it didn’t lead LE to the perpetrator. Evidence may not lie, but it can undoubtedly be misinterpreted by humans. In cases where this happens, LE ends up on a long and winding road to nowhere, OR the wrong suspect(s) is arrested, charged, tried, and convicted.

   When you say working from the inside out, I am assuming you mean ruling out those who were closest to the victims first, then those who were less or not familiar with them: family, anyone who was the last to see them, friends, sex offenders in the area, anyone seen exiting or near the area, and (as my DH first suggested) looking closely at exactly who went in and out of the truck wash and truckstop, given the crime scene’s close proximity to the interstate highways.

   And, dear Mom3.0, I am reading and appreciating every word you write -so much so, that I feel I could have written many of your posts myself. I look forward to reading more.
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   By the way, you and Blink were giving some of your favorite quotes a while back. Here is mine:

   “There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.”

   ~Elie Wiesel, Nobel Laureate
   
   Grace, I owe you an apology, it was I who was obtuse now that I read my own quote.

   What I meant was that if one believes the autopsies and wound descriptions are sound, we work outwardly from that information in terms of investigating the what (weapon) who and why. Yes, you are of course correct some information is interpretable or we would not have 7 experts with 7 different opinions, but the reality is, that in this case, those “experts” were bought and paid for to discredit the coroners findings to the extent they could. I examined all the images at my disposal before I ever uncovered the ice axe. When I did, it was completely shocking to me this got lost in the shuffle, and to be honest, it was exciting to me as I was sure this weapon was a strong possibility and new forensic techniques and modeling could absolutely prove that out. The rest is history as they say, as you already know.

   I did not use publicly available images, but I was aware there were some out there, they will come up in general research. I would be willing to alert the proper folks if there is anyone out there selling such gruesome photos in a heartbeat.

   I love any quote ever from Elie Wiesel, thank you

   B
8. Ragdoll says:

   February 20, 2012 at 3:48 pm

   Nope, your fine, that site is not though, I appreciate you bringing it to my attention.
   B
9. Matt says:

   February 20, 2012 at 4:00 pm

   That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”
   ― Christopher Hitchens
10. Scott H says:

    February 20, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    Blink, I’m not sure what you mean when you say mark private at the top, can you clarify?

    First line of your comment to me write RIVATE
    second line can be link.

    B
11. GraceintheHills says:

    February 20, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    8. Matt says:
    February 20, 2012 at 4:00 pm
    That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”
    ― Christopher Hitchens

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Fabulous quote, and so true, imo. Btw, Matt, I loved Christopher Hitchens’ writings. May he rest in peace.

    Blink, after much looking around on the internet, I found the site. The site claims they use the money to help maintain the site. Who the heck knows? In the past, I have come across other sites (totally unrelated to gruesome crime photos) that do the same, OR constantly “guilt” you and threaten to shut the site down if you don’t donate. Iirc, some of these have been bereavement community sites, for pete’s sake.

    Thanks Grace, Ragdoll gave me the deets and I will be following up.
    B
12. GraceintheHills says:

    February 20, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    GraceintheHills says:
    February 20, 2012 at 1:17 am

    Blink says, “Yes, you are of course correct some information is interpretable or we would not have 7 experts with 7 different opinions, but the reality is, that in this case, those “experts” were bought and paid for to discredit the coroners findings to the extent they could.”
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Blink, first, I want to thank you for allowing differing views on your site. Imo, that is the hallmark of a blog site author who cares not only about putting forth her/his own opinions, but also in educating the public about various topics, opposing views, etc., as well.

    Without being completely autobiographical (as jackdobson once said. Where is he, btw?), I will say this about expert witnesses. I realize many individuals perceive that all experts’ opinions can be bought, but, with all due respect, this simply is not true. Experts are paid for the time ane work they put into a case, not for their opinions. Many experts do some pro bono work, as well. When one is hired or appointed as an expert, the expert — if the expert is true to her/his science and the ethics of her/his profession, and a great many experts I know are — will inform the person(s) hiring her/him that they may or may not like the expert’s opinion. Why? Because an expert who is true to her/his field of expertise and ethical is going to call it like s/he sees it, period. Experts are trained and mentored to do this, and are taught not to speculate or project their own biases onto their opinions. One way to show a lack of bias in an expert is for the expert to have been called as defense expert “roughly” as many times she s/he has been called as a prosecution expert.

    Now, that being said, I have seen SOME experts testify to the truth from a different angle where it appears to the layman (including lawyers and jurors) that the expert’s opinion is diametrically opposed to the opposing side’s expert. This type of testimony has always bothered me because, imho, it can be misleading for those who don’t understand the science. I also do not like watching one expert disparage another during testimony. One does not have to do this to get one’s opinion across.

    Are there experts who can be bought? Undoubtedly, there are some. But, saying all of these particular experts’ opinions were bought, imho, is unfair unless we have evidence that is true.

    JMO.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Blink says, “I examined all the images at my disposal before I ever uncovered the ice axe. When I did, it was completely shocking to me this got lost in the shuffle, and to be honest, it was exciting to me as I was sure this weapon was a strong possibility and new forensic techniques and modeling could absolutely prove that out. The rest is history as they say, as you already know.”

    @Blink, I can understand why you would want to take a second look at the ice axe. I don’t know if you want to answer this, but which wounds do you feel were inflicted with it?

    Grace, I worded that poorly. I am not insinuating that these experts were paid to be dishonest.

    I am saying they realize their opinion is being solicited for the purposes of refuting the prosecutions where they are able to present an alternative perspective. Dr. Spitz, I say respectfully, is just out there anymore- saddens me really. His testimony in the Caylee Anthony homicide was beyond embarrassing for such a revered professional.

    I do not have access on my current laptop to reference the wound images, so if it is ok with you I will speak in general terms. Including but not limited to, it has been a while since I have reviewed my own notes on the wounds.

    For the most part, I am referring to the chop wounds on the scalps of the victims. There is absolutely no way those wounds were made with a knife or a stick. I realize it is impossible to approximate them, but there is technology available to 3D model them which may include height, trajectory and force comparison models.

    From memory, the jagged edging of the ice axe would also be of interest to the groin injury of Chris Byers, and on Stevie Branch’s face, I would very much like to measure the descending and diag lacerations above and including his left eyelid. The circular wound with the bell shaped abrasion would line up with the area of the ice axe where the “line” would be knotted through.

    The thigh mark with the x patterning- indicative of a vinyl handle that may have been removed-

    Keep in mind Jason’s brother identified the ice axe from a photo and said that it was newer looking and the one he saw did not have a point at the end. The point inverts, and if there was a vinyl wrap or grip that was put on manually, it may have covered the inverted point.

    That said, if it was a factory grip, he just never saw it, and the small incisive wounds that are prevalent on some of the victims could absolutely be caused by that point, especially if it was being used to push the boys into the mud as I suspect.

    I am sure there may be more, but off the top of my head-

    B
13. Ragdoll says:

    February 20, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    @ Grace and Mom

    Thank you both. Wish I could bear hug you two for all you’ve done.

    I’m sensing some sweet activism to protect the integrity of our wee cubs. If it weren’t for my faith…..

    They’re so precious.

    Thank you friendLY for what you do. God bless ya lassie <3
14. Lethalstorm says:

    February 21, 2012 at 7:37 pm

    Blink, your examination of this case is fascinating and I look forward to further installments. Speaking of, any eta when we can expect part 3?

    Also what are your thoughts on various supporter sites doing their best to discredit you and your work?

    1. I committed to my final work on the case by the end of the first quarter, and that is pending some litigious matters.

    2. All I have seen to date on ANY supporter site is sticks and stones.

    I suck , I am not a real journalist, I had rabies as a child, I am ugly and my mother dresses me funny. O, and I am illiterate.

    Aside from that, I have Yet to see ONE factual error, outside of “there are lots of errors”. EVERYONE avoids the ice axe. It is embarrassing how little it takes so many to want to be a part of the cinematic cause celeb. Some even remember to acknowledge the brutally murdered victims in this case. Others have rushed letters to ray ban for blue glasses. gag. Blue like the ice axe. No mystery, no subtlety.

    I absolutely respect those that remain in “reasonable doubt”, but those convinced of innocence without a stitch of exculpatory evidence think Guyana is a lovely vacation destination once they have had a refreshment.

    I had some dude the other day cut and paste portions of my comments over thousands of posts, out of context, like that is some sort of contest?? He was absolutely on a google bender as a supporter- like we are idiots here. My best to sir “crock cookin with spam”.

    To recap- my references were to blind supporters, not the very educated and researched folks on BOC who are open, but maintain reasonable doubt. They are advocates just the same, and they have my support and respect.

    B
15. Lethalstorm says:

    February 21, 2012 at 10:53 pm

    Blink, thanks for your response. What I have noticed is when someone challenges the notion the WM3 are innocent they are attacked mostly by people who have watched the Paradise Lost docs and read The Devil’s Knot. I’ve read on suppporter sites that they exposed your lies about Johnny Depp or something like that.

    I personally believe in their guilt and came to that conclusion based on the evidence presented on callahan8k. With you bringing attention to the ice axe, has anyone confirmed whether the WMPD still have that item in their possession?

    Over the course of your analysis did you come across the DNA findings? I’m referring specifically to the fact that there were over 100 samples submitted for DNA testing. They were cleared from 42 samples. Unfortunately, over 60 samples were either unreadable, undetectable, or unreportable because the reports were not reliable. Of the 42 samples that produced results, only 6 were inconsistent with DNA from the victims. Do you have any thoughts on this?

    Lethal- we covered this in totality on this site if you review earlier comments.

    Never, ever uttered a misrepresentation about Mr. Depp. I have welcomed all to ask his agent directly.
    As usual, nobody accusing me of same- has.
    B
16. GraceintheHills says:

    February 21, 2012 at 11:21 pm

    Okay, Blink, I admit I am never going to cough up the 10 bucks that site wants before they’ll reveal the so-called crime scene and autopsy pics of our three little victims.

    But, this afternoon I called one of my colleagues and mentioned the site to see if he’d heard of it. He admitted paying 10 dollars to view pics of another high profile case he was reviewing. He took a look at the WM3 victims’ pics and said every single one of the pics appeared to have been lifted from the PL movies. So they are “pics of pics”, and he thinks every one of them have been displayed on other websites for quite some time.

    He also said it is a really nasty site, with posters writing trash and filth unlike he’s read on any other crime site. It spooked him, so he said he got the heck out of Dodge after he finished his case. And this is a man who has seen almost everything.

    Moral of the story: Don’t waste your time or money. This suggests to me that the majority of the crime scene and autopsy photos remain underwraps, exactly where they should be.

    JMO.

    Absolutely true, and pics lifted from any licensed medium are subject to infringement.

    B
17. Ragdoll says:

    February 22, 2012 at 1:50 am

    Hugs to Grace and Mom3.0….and Matt!

    Appreciate y’all so much with infinite love <3 <3 <3
18. Matt says:

    February 22, 2012 at 10:21 am

    Hey how come I only got the ……… : )
19. Mom3.0 says:

    February 22, 2012 at 11:24 pm

    ScottH- and Ragdoll-

    Thanks for trying to help

    —
    My apologies to all for not realizing that these photos were not public.

    I had not been able to find them -I assumed this was because like Blink, most sites did not wish to show them.

    There seems to be so much that I have not seen- My thoughts are based only on a small fraction of the evidence- so the chance of errors is extremely high.
    I believe that would not be good for the case or for the boys and their families-

    I hope you will all understand my reasoning for not posting everything- as I think more harm than good will come from it-

    All apologies
    Mom3.0
20. Mom3.0 says:

    February 22, 2012 at 11:43 pm

    What I will post-

    Early on we all discussed the thigh wound which seems to show an “x” pattern ,
    Much as been said about this, and many have gicven there time and thoughts to figuring out what made this pattern-

    My next thoughts are not shared inorder to disrespect ay other persons hard work or research- I am simply trying to figure out what happened.

    I hope everyone understands this- again I am not saying anyones thoughts are wrong- I am only giving a different perspective.

    I do not know if Blink is correct and this pattern is from the ice ax and the handle grip- which she surmises was missing upon return to the previous owners…. it could be-

    I do not know if the “rebar” theory is correct and the “x” pattern shows the patterning from a manhole step etc…… It could be.

    Having said that- in reviewing this injury and the pics of this injury – I think there may not be any “x” pattern at all- as the photos showing this are not the originals and the contrast and brightness has been manipulated-

    This can aid in viewing, but it can also mask the truth if one is not careful

    See here:
    http://www.wm3blackboard.com/forum/index.php?topic=10.510

    Now see here:

    http://westmemphisthreediscussion.yuku.com/topic/997/grid-pattern?page=2

    —
    Please notice the intensity of the injury- can we be sure the photograph ‘s “x” pattern is really there? IDK

    Next, I will walk you all through how to view this pic- (the lighter one) and how playing with the brightness and contrast will greatly change what is shown…

    Can we believe our eyes? I am not so sure….

    Cont Part 2

    AJMO
21. Mom3.0 says:

    February 23, 2012 at 12:18 am

    Part 2

    I would like to begin by clarifying – I do not think that the researcher and poster who used the darkened photo did so for nefarious reasons I do not think he/she manipulated the photo as a means to fool anyone- I think like all of us- he was trying to get to the truth- again his photo could show the “truth” the injury may on fact be an “x” pattern due to rebar-
    IDK
    —

    Lets start-
    Right click on the second photo on this page and paste it into microsoft word

    http://westmemphisthreediscussion.yuku.com/topic/997/grid-pattern?page=2

    –Next double click on it to open tool box-

    The brightness and contrast should be shown as 50%

    Next click on brightness go up to 52%

    Notice how there is no “x pattern- but there does seem to be some sort of writing- that cant be right? can it?

    Now double click again and up the contrast to 52%…the writing seems to get darker….that cant be can it?

    Continue to up the contrast now at 70% the “writing” is darker but cant really see that “x” pattern- when viewing it from this angle can you? although the edges seem to become more defined showing the objects outline….

    At 84% contrast- the coloring is much the same as the “rebar” pic and if you were to flip it the “x” pattern could be discernible-

    Before we do anything else lets make the brightness lower put it at 45% and put the contrast at 86%

    Now copy the image and paste into paint-

    now click on image- and click invert colors… interesting outline and the writing seems to be there …now click on invert color again–

    Now click on rotate mark 90 degree angle- see the flipped photo of the “x” pattern- be sure to invert color….where is the “writing” where is the “x” pattern…yet the very discernible outline of the object is still there…

    What is this object that left this imprint?

    IDK-

    Could it be the ice ax with grip?
    Could it be the rebar and the x pattern?

    Yes it is possible- so are other possibilities…

    AJMO
22. Mom3.0 says:

    February 23, 2012 at 1:34 am

    Okay-

    Now lets take a closer look at that rebar photo- the one that is marked as “impression on the body”..

    http://www.wm3blackboard.com/forum/index.php?topic=10.510

    See it?

    Notice the scratch? Now following the implement impression up to the scratch can you see what appears to be an impression of a rotary of somesort?
    Possibly of a wheel hub

    like this:

    http://tinyurl.com/829apnf

    or possibly like this:

    http://tinyurl.com/7ezmj57

    or maybe this:

    http://www.motopartsmax.com/index.php/main_page/index/cPath/21_141/tID/2

    What of the other part? If the imprint is of a hub or a shaft or gear, and it is truly there, and not due to photo manipulation, then can the “rebar” imprint be from a part of a bicycle, atv or dirt bike also?
    IDK

    Possibly?

    http://www.atomiczombie.com/ct-coasterhub.html#coasterhub

    or maybe:

    http://tinyurl.com/8xb2crw

    Again, IDK what happened, I do not know what “theory” is correct…I am only offering another perspective, all in the hopes that it can help.

    AJMO
23. Mom3.0 says:

    February 23, 2012 at 2:04 am

    Grace,
    Thank you for saying that- and strangely enough I feel you too sometimes qeite exactly what I would had I written your post…. such as your “evidence does not lie” post and others- I appreciate you trying to hunt down the photos grace, and I appreciate Blink for taking the initiative to find out if these sites are in the wrong…legally?

    Grace, if you ever do get the chance to visit Arkansas, or view other evidence etc in this case- I would very much like to read your take.

    PS- Congrats on your stepsons upcoming wedding. Enjoy your travels/

    Blink, just so you are not in the dark- you do realize that it isnt only supporter sites that are talking behind your back, right? Opinions are like _ everybody has one-
    I thought you -my friend, had gotten used to the naysayers by now…nomatter what side they may claim as their own… often times it is all about touting their own superiority and writing skills and less about advocacy and manners…

    LOL hang in their Blink- ME likes your writing style and your work despite any grammatical errors, never fails to bring much needed attention to the victims and their families…and that my friend is all that matters.

    Ragdoll- Hugs right back.

    AJMO

    LOL, thanks friend, yes- I know. It would seem my pleasing everyone while writing about grisly murders of children strategy has failed miserably. Drat. Keyboard cowboys strike again.

    Heart u.

    B
24. Mom3.0 says:

    February 23, 2012 at 2:06 am

    oops talking about errors—

    Grace that should have read I feel you sometimes *write* what I would have written…

    Goodnight all

    My prayers for Stevie Mike and Chris and to their families and all who care about them.

    AJMO
25. GraceintheHills says:

    February 23, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    Mom3.0 says:
    February 23, 2012 at 2:04 am
    Grace, if you ever do get the chance to visit Arkansas, or view other evidence etc in this case- I would very much like to read your take.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    @Mom3.0, one would think that by now, my DH would be accustomed to my rare unusual vacation sites. When we first married, our second out of state trip was to Holcomb, Kansas to review the Clutter family murder case and visit with some of the townspeople. It was a work-related trip and I was glad my DH was with me. One of the saddest moments I have ever experienced aside from my own personal losses was standing beside Mr. and Mrs. Clutter’s, Nancy’s, and Kenyon’s graves. That trip even saddened my DH, and he is generally pretty stoic. If we do make it to WM, I’ll let you know.

    PS- Congrats on your stepsons upcoming wedding. Enjoy your travels.

    Thank you!
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Mom3.0 says, “Blink, just so you are not in the dark- you do realize that it isnt only supporter sites that are talking behind your back, right? Opinions are like _ everybody has one-
    I thought you -my friend, had gotten used to the naysayers by now…nomatter what side they may claim as their own… often times it is all about touting their own superiority and writing skills and less about advocacy and manners…

    Blink says: “LOL, thanks friend, yes- I know. It would seem my pleasing everyone while writing about grisly murders of children strategy has failed miserably. Drat. Keyboard cowboys strike again”.

    @Blink,
    Yesterday, I was talking to one of my colleagues who has taken a lot of flack for her opinions on some work on a project our group is currently involved in. I was telling her how sorry I am that people had been so rude to her. Without missing a beat she said, “I never took on this work to win a popularity contest; I do it because I want to help people who can’t help themselves.”

    I immediately thought about you. I’ll tell you what I told her: “Keep up the good work; it is very much appreciated.”

    Thank you kindly.
    B
26. Luca Brasi says:

    February 23, 2012 at 7:41 pm

    Blink, I do applaud your compilation of evidence and willingness to defend your stance day after day. However, I must say that what you claim to be your strongest piece of evidence, really isn’t that strong. Unless the ice axe was used in a scraping manner, there’s no way it could have caused those wounds. If used in a traditional manner it would have went through the skull and into the brain. The wounds do not indicate this to be the case.

    I realize that the circumstances surrounding the axe and how it was acquired and returned certainly make it an interesting possibility, but in all honestly, I’m just not seeing how it could have made all of those wounds.

    And if you are going to take testimonies and confessions seriously, why has no one ever mentioned this weapon… ever (other than Jason’s brother and the guys who turned it into the police?). You can say that Misskelley was intentionally lying about details, but where do we draw the line?

    I think it is possible they committed this crime, but not how you say they did. I look forward to part 3 and hope you provide more justification for the ice axe claim. As it stands now, I’m not buying it.

    Respectfully, I am not seeing how you could have reviewed the autopsies, head wound images, testimony and expert witness reports and conclude the ice axe would need to be used in a scraping manner. I realize the autopsy wording can be confusing to a layperson- absolutely.

    However, the lacerations of the scalp are separate and the underlying fractures are detailed further down.

    There are major compressed and depressed fractures – there was no or very little bridging tissue in the autopsy images. These are sharp force or chop wounds.

    B
27. Luca Brasi says:

    February 23, 2012 at 10:35 pm

    Let’s say I take your word for it. Why then was this weapon never once mentioned in confessions or witness statements? If it was so obvious and was submitted as evidence, why wasn’t it used by the prosecution? If it was so damning, why did the state agree to an Alford plea?

    On top of the wounds not matching up (I’m sorry, they don’t, at least not in the photo you posted) the only thing you have to go on is a statement by a child.

    Don’t take my word for it, do the research. Respectfully, you have not even read my work on these issues or the questions you are asking me would be answered as to my opinion, which is all I can offer. I have not posted the image of the scalp wounds, nor do I plan to- they are more than graphic as a visual.

    I am not understanding your comment about the statements of a child.

    B
    
    B
28. Luca Brasi says:

    February 23, 2012 at 10:48 pm

    I have read your piece and unfortunately your answers are not sufficient.
    
    Well short of having the ice axe in my hands, which btw, I have requested, to forward to an expert who is able to design a 3D overlay as a “best case” comparative to the injuries suffered, I might agree with you as an absolute. However, if you have not even seen the wounds I am referring to, I would ask you to keep an open mind- at a minimum, you need to read Dr. Haddix and Dr. Baden’s reports.

    Specifically- the lacerations, which imo are sharp force wounds in the first place, and display every characteristic of same with abraded margins have measurements and patterning (L and dovetail) that match this weapon.

    Respectfully, you Saying.. “well if it was so damning why didn’t prosecutors use it” is not researching the conclusions I am providing as my opinion. I am not here to convince anyone of anything, but I would absolutely welcome folks to form an opinion based on the TOTALITY of the information available before forming conclusions.
    B
29. Luca Brasi says:

    February 23, 2012 at 11:12 pm

    Not necessarily your fault, it just doesn’t add up.
30. GraceintheHills says:

    February 24, 2012 at 1:42 am

    Luca Brasi says:
    February 23, 2012 at 7:41 pm
    Blink, I do applaud your compilation of evidence and willingness to defend your stance day after day. However, I must say that what you claim to be your strongest piece of evidence, really isn’t that strong. Unless the ice axe was used in a scraping manner, there’s no way it could have caused those wounds. If used in a traditional manner it would have went through the skull and into the brain. The wounds do not indicate this to be the case…

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Blink says:
    Respectfully, I am not seeing how you could have reviewed the autopsies, head wound images, testimony and expert witness reports and conclude the ice axe would need to be used in a scraping manner. I realize the autopsy wording can be confusing to a layperson- absolutely.

    However, the lacerations of the scalp are separate and the underlying fractures are detailed further down.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Blink, I do have a question. I have seen the large but superficial scalp lacerations on one of the boys which appear to be on top of his head/calvarium. I do not know the identity of this boy as it is simply a close up of his head. Two of the boys did not have any fractures of their calvariums. Only MM had small fractures in the frontal, temporal and parietal areas of his calvarium, as well as the base of his skull. The other boys had subgaleal contusions beneath superficial scalp wounds. Is MM the victim you are referring to when you opine the ice axe inflicted the skull fractures?

    I have seen the photos of Stevie’s face and the extensive damage done, but it appears to me that possibly several processes were going on during the peri and/or post mortem period. JMO. That poor child.

    I am exhausted and have to work all day tomorrow, but I would love to talk more about these wounds in particular later. Hope this post made some sense…

    Goodnight, sweet Blink and all you Blinksters.

    I am going to need to have a rendering of the wounds created from the picture I believe, I don’t feel comfortable posting it, but that may take a bit. I have been swamped with developments in 2 other cases and will be on deadline over the weekend to catch up. This is a very important discussion to my position on the ice axe so I know you will understand I want to give it my proper attention.

    Plus, to be honest, looking at those images derails me from other work for hours. I need to do that when I can spare it. Not the most professional answer,but the truth. These little dudes haunt me, God rest their souls.

    B
31. Ragdoll says:

    February 24, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    @ Luca

    Blink is asking for an open mind, not to buy into her assessment w/o reviewing the TOTALITY of information that’s available (as paraphrased by Blink).

    This is not an over night read. An open mind is a good place to start from. I’m going to admit….the info available on Blink’s site and the 8K is an overwhelming read. If someone is looking for the truth, it’s imperative you have the ability to problem solve, process, retain the info and a strong basic understanding of forensics. I’ve seen the wounds (unfortunately). I gotta agree….they LOOK like chop wounds of an ice pick, not stab wounds of a seragated knife (or any knife). That is my pre novice opinion only. I viewed stab wounds online and the penetration, for lack of a better word, is much different than the ones the boys suffered. This is where an open mind is needed. If you’re dedicated to the truth, a great deal of time is needed to invest in reading. Great advocates on this site and a few who are also on the fence about this case, even after reviewing all info available.

    Sweet friend- I edited the last part of your private post as that is Mark Byers, not Terry Hobbs.

    I appreciate you addressing that post, and you will not love one I just moderated.

    There IS a concentrated effort by supporters to do the passive aggressive thing on sites discussing the guilt of WM3. The thing is, they know almost nothing about this case and maybe I am wrong to say this, but I am so proud of the research and soundly deliberated conclusions here whether they are in support, not, or on the fence. I do not understand why anyone would waste their time to weigh in without doing the work. Except to troll of course.
    B
32. Rothstein says:

    February 24, 2012 at 7:24 pm

    Luca Brasi knows what’s up. I’m surprised more people haven’t been refuting this ice axe crap (or maybe you have just deleted all of their responses). I’m a non for crying out loud and I know it is crap. There is a reason that very few non sites are latching onto this “evidence”. The wounds simply do not match. I’ve seen a photo of the top of one of the boys’ skull and unless there was some serious scraping going on, I have no idea how this ice axe could have made those wounds. Even in that case, the wounds are more curved than the proposed weapon. The curve would have been interior anyway if it had been “force”. The superficial wound would have been a line the same height and width of the axe. That may be possible for one of the wounds (the dark red spot in the top left of the photo you posted), but the curve to the right and underneath that spot are in no way, shape or form the cause of the ice axe.

    Who are you trying to fool? I hope you’ve enjoyed your 15 minutes of fame (talk about trying to capitalize on a murder case, you can stop with the “God rest their souls” crap), but I think you picked the wrong case to attach yourself to after the whole Casey Anthony disaster.

    Go ahead and delete this post. I wouldn’t expect anything less. You are just as bad as supporters that cling to crazy theories.
    
    1. You wanna talk amateur? That is your refuting evidence? You saw one pic and read no expert reports of any kind and I am the charlatan? Do you really believe the caliber of readers here take blatant uneducated rudeness seriously?

    “Hey- my friend says it’s a scrape- so do I, so your capitalizing on a murder case.”

    Seriously- where do you baffoons spawn already? There must be some big ass island of misfit toys with great wifi.

    Stay out of the analysis biz, and go bark at the moon, you are no supporter, you are one of those angry keyboard cowboy/girls that like the web to spread anger. Love to see your work, your analysis, O wait, you have none. You are correct, you are a drain on society.

    Yep, I looked you up, thought you sounded a bit familiar in your syntax.

    Lol, O yeah, big huge cash in “15 minutes” on this case given my position and findings-the cashcow is located in the “supporters” and I can assure you it is not in thinking these 3 are guilty- you asshair.

    Cheerio Cam

    B
33. GraceintheHills says:

    February 24, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    GraceintheHills says:
    February 24, 2012 at 1:42 am
    Blink says,
    Plus, to be honest, looking at those images derails me from other work for hours. I need to do that when I can spare it. Not the most professional answer,but the truth. These little dudes haunt me, God rest their souls.

    B
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Blink, yes, they do haunt, don’t they? I think that is why this case has been discussed here as long as it has. Please, take your time. I am in no hurry at all, and I totally understand how difficult this is, my friend — AND — how busy you are.
34. Luca Brasi says:

    February 24, 2012 at 9:40 pm

    You ask why people would weigh in without doing the work. 99% of your readers haven’t done the work. Don’t be so naive.

    That is simply untrue and if you read the coverage and comments in this case you would know that.

    Nothing naive about it, and it is not a prerequisite, except if your going to attempt to refute or discredit someone, you need to know your facts to be taken seriously here.

    Btw, I have pointed that out to BOTH supporter, nons and those in the undecided category.

    B
35. Rothstein says:

    February 24, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    It really takes no effort at all to expose you trolls.

    If I am such a grammartard and talentless journalist what does that say about your need to come on here in the first place. Because I know that you have a desperate need for my attention, I will feed your skeeve no longer.

    I would however advise you the next time you and your minions want to waste your hater batteries on someone you should bring your A game. ‘Jus sayin.

    B
36. Ragdoll says:

    February 25, 2012 at 12:31 am

    @ Blink

    I’m so sorry for the mix up in names. I knew that as I had just finished watching PL3. That is non excusable but I appreciate the pass and acknowledgement.

    God speed and be still in the truth. You know you’re onto something when the minions come out to bully. Fear makes people do crazy things.

    *winkity wink*

    Don’t be silly Ms. Ragdoll- kind and true advocates like you have an infinite pass with me.

    wink from blink
    B
37. Ragdoll says:

    February 26, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    Watching the Oscars.

    Terribly grateful there was no ‘honour’ awarded. Short and sweet, I’ll keep it (my Yoda impersonation).

    Small victories…. XO XO XO XO
    
    True dat y’all
    B
38. GraceintheHills says:

    February 27, 2012 at 12:51 am

    I am very relieved for the Moores that the PL: Purgatory documentary did not win an Oscar. As my husband said — as the documentary poster flashed across the screen during the announcements of the nominees –”WHO would ever want to watch that? Most people have no interest whatsover in reliving a crime involving three children who were brutally murdered.”

    Remembering Michael, Stevie and Chris tonight and always. Prayers going out tonight to the Moores, and the families of Stevie and Chris.

    Thank you Grace and I add mine as well, I held my breath.
    B
39. Jeff Smith says:

    February 27, 2012 at 1:44 am

    Hey Blink,

    Quick question, do you think the roadrunner bag was brought back by Domini Teer and Damien later that night to plant evidence, make it look like someone else, an adult female or male was there, and thus committed the crime. My thought is they went back to further clean the scene, plant the new “evidence”,and lost the bag in the dark of night. They were both spotted at around 10:00, the night of the murders near the crime. Also, this letter from someone named Micheal Johnson, states that Jessie knew they wanted to plant clothes at the scene, which would take a return trip to the crime scene. Besides Jessie, I think Domini may be the “pinch” that wakes these killers up from their “dream” life. Your thoughts?

    sighting:
    http://callahan.8k.com/images/narlene/n_hollingsworth_notes.jpg

    letter:
    http://callahan.8k.com/wm3/img/mjohnson.html

    Jasons “dream” life: (look at his eyes-they cry he got away with murder!)

    http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/26/one-of-the-west-memphis-three-from-prison-to-oscars/

    The bag contained jean shorts, a black tank, a pair of sox and a khaki short sleeved button down shirt.

    It also contained a few fibers iirc, that matched one or two found on the victims clothing.

    They were processed when moldy, and the two razors- one had been broken off at the neck.

    I could not say who put it there, however.

    They did not win the oscar.

    B
    B
40. Matt says:

    February 27, 2012 at 4:23 pm

    So happy that mockumentary did not win the Oscar : )

    Blink what do you think of the part that Big Jessie, Gail Grinnel and Pam Echols played in covering up for their sons? Big Jessie was always covering for his son and his interview on the Geraldo show is very telling, Gail dragged Jason away from the detectives asking him questions, and of course Damien said in the police interview ‘i will tell you all about it if you let me talk to my mother. Also all 3 parents lied about their sons alibi on the day of the murders. So what I’m asking is do you think the 3 teenagers would have come clean if it wasn’t for their parents interference?

    1. I think Jesse did come clean, but because he thought he was home free, and he could buy his dad a truck. As you know, I don’t think that makes any of his various confessions any less “real”.

    2. I think Mrs. Grinnell should have had her children removed from her care long before this happened; she was very unwell. I think she booted Dink because he knew Jason did not have an alibis, and also about the ice axe. My opinion only on that issue.

    3. Pam Echols absolutely lied about her sons whereabouts, and to this day, I think about Damien’s script or appointment or both, among her other very un-maternal behaviors. She was clearly unwell.

    That said, I think if Jason and Damien were tried separately, and I vehemently believe they should have been, Jason would have testified against Damien and told a version of the truth.

    B
41. Mom3.0 says:

    February 28, 2012 at 1:19 am

    Okay here I go again sticking my neck out when I should probably just shut the F up at this point-

    I realize I do not know everything there is to know about these young mens home life-

    Let me start with Jason-

    I realize that Jasons mother had some sort of a nervous breakdown and from everything I have read – she tried to commit suicide and Jason was the one that found her….

    Besides this, I do not know of anything that would point to Jasons mother being unfit…. She went to work she was trying her best. Jason was attending school and completing his assignments- as well as finding a summer job, in addition to this, he also shared in the responsibility for the care and well-being of his younger siblings.

    Besides this? With much respect and admiration- I double checked this was you when I saw this statement.
    Casey Anthony did her best. Josh Powell did his best. Chris Coleman did his best. Andrea Yates did her best. Darlie Routier did her best. Or perhaps the most substantially similar comparison- the case of Rachelle Grimmer. She had a history of mental illness could not get food stamps so she killed her children and herself in a seven hour standoff last December.

    The comment I made, was that Ms. Grinnell’s children should have been removed from her care following SEVERAL episodes of extreme mental illness resulting in a failed suicide attempt where she slit her own throat, KNOWING her young child would be the one to find her. If memory serves she was involuntarily committed 3x. For any medical facility contacted by a LEA to legally do that she had to have been judged a danger to herself or others. I find that an emphatic descriptor synonym to “unwell”.

    In every single case I referenced above, there were a multitude of warning signs that were not taken seriously, with the exception of Casey Anthony and let’s agree that you have not given “her best efforts” any sort of pass. Nor have I.

    I mention this because while I completely support you being unconvinced of the guilt of the WM3- I am so not comprehending your “soft stance” ( my words) on their parenting situation and subsequent significant juvenile strifes as a result. It is one thing to say.. well it does not mean they are then capable of murder . I get that. However, it is undeniable that markers in their background are substantially similar in profile to MANY that have, period.

    Repeat- it is undeniable and irrefutable that these 3 have similarities in background and profile to known violent offenders. In fact, if one were to amplify and project today in terms of probability to offend WITHOUT significant early intervention, I would be willing to bet all three are in the top tier “at risk” category. And that is just from KNOWN and verified information. If one were to factor in additional illegal and readily available street drug options today, I shudder at the thought.

    The burden on the system, which Jason was involved in since he was a child, is to protect the childrens best interests. He had now entered the juvenile probation system and not attending school was a violation of his probation and off to juvenile detention he was headed (again).

    Lots of parents deal with many health and mental issues at the same time taking care of their children, so how is it that anyone feels that she was so unwell, that she was unable to care for her children and her children should have been taken from her?

    Everyone described Jason as a well behaved, well mannered, smart, compassionate young man.
    How is raising a child with such attributes, label a parent to be unfit?
    As for his criminal behaviors(priors) theses were a shop lifting crime and a damage of property crime IIRC…. Jason and some other 11yearolds entered a property and broke windows and pounded on some cars..- He was caught and he was put on probation…

    Besides these instances, what other criminal behaviors was Jason in trouble for? I suppose one could also add defacing property, seeing how Jason was one of the kids who spray painted “Stonehenge”…but other than this, what points toward Jason being a bad kid who his mother raised as an awful person?

    I never once used those words, nor would I.

    I recently watched the PL films, and I saw Jasons mom as a mother who was distraught over her sons predicament- I feel she was sure her son did not commit these crimes and she was so sure because LE had JM’s confession, which pinpointed the times of this crime as times in which her son COULD NOT have been present….

    She did everything a good mother would do, She immediately went to the school to obtain Jasons records to prove that JM was lying. She also went looking at each and every detention center and jail trying to reach her son- She was for the most part, denied entry into the trials but at sentencing, she was there in the court room along with Jasons little brother holding his hand as the sentence was read…How is this being a bad mother or unfit or unwell?

    How is believing your son is innocent and :E was mistaken (still or again) equate her to being a bad mom that was hiding her sons guilt?

    I don’t know if she was acting because she thought he was guilty or not, I just know she lied.

    I know Cindy Anthony lied on the stand to save her daughter and I have been told she does not know if Casey killed Caylee. Lying to protect your child, and in this case, committing a crime herself, does not shock me and I would definitely say it would fall under the ultimate integrity test for me and is one of those things I don’t think one can state with certainty without being in the direct situation. Again, was responding to the interfering in a possible confession from her son question.

    It is true that Jasons mom was Pizzed that anyone was asking her son any questions concerning these murders- especially without her consent or presence and without the aid of counsel.

    Wouldnt any good mother feel the same in her situation? Especially since like everyone else she heard the rumors regarding DE?

    Jason Baldwin WAS answering the questions- same as DE out in front of his home- Jason Baldwin was 16 years old and that police officer should have been ashamed of himself- and I do not blame Jasons Mom for stopping the questioning and I do not blame her for being irate.

    I believe I am on record stating the same, with the exception for how she conducted herself, for which I believe she apologized.

    I do not blame her for her anger-
    Not at the WMP and not at her boyfriend- who yes, it is true she accused him of “turning in” Jason for the money- But what does that accusation have to do with whether or not her son had in fact committed these murders?

    Any parent would react in much the same way, and if monetarily able, would have immediately and rightfully lawyered up with the best lawyer possible- thereby ensuring their child was afforded all necessary protections under the law.

    This family was very poor- so, they were unable to do this…
    This man was NOT Jasons father- so what is so hard to believe about this mother, this woman, in the heat of the moment- for a moment entertaining the thought that Dink would – want the $ bad enough to “turn in” her son?

    Last- as for Jasons alibis his times were much more “collaborated” than the other 2-

    He had family who accounted for parts of the time he had friends and neighbors and he had those at Walmart also- In the Beginning- it seemed as if Jasons alibis were solid- it wasnt until after his arrest that it became apparent that many had only given approximate times-

    He never had a solid and verifiable alibi. There is no such thing as a partially corroborated alibi.
    It is a circumstantial fact of this case to be given weight in conjunction with the rest, under the Ark supreme court criminal statute.

    His lawyers failed in their due diligence- IMO- they should have called all the alibi witnesses- the neighbor/friend who he bought the 4 dollar tape from etc– all of them should have been called and all should have been asked about the clothing Jason was wearing that day– and they should have got the security tapes from Walmart- and all the rest- His lawyers failed ion every regard.

    Again I do not know if Jason killed these little boys- he may have- the evidence is SORELY lacking in particular IRT Jason….
    BUT if he did- it was not done the way JM described at the times JM described and it wasnt done in the way MC said either.

    Well we have gone over our disagreement with this, but in JM first confession, I would agree that he told a story to mitigate his involvement, not realizing just being there, and what he confessed to was a crime. By the second confession through the “bible” confession, where he was working to remember everything and answer the questions directed at him, I absolutely believe him.
    

    I think his mom was smart enough to realize this, given the fact t6hat KM lied in his confessions, and therefore was willing to give her son, Jason, the benefit of the doubt- as any good mother would do.

    AJMO

    Mom 3.0 I am in bold. Heart u as you know, but the question was (para) do I think if it were not for the parents the three would have come clean- not whether or not they thought them guilty or were concerned that whether they actually were or not they would be wrongly convicted etc. I certainly take and took for granted regardless of a person’s faculties, I can’t imagine any parent wanting to think their child guilty of such atrocity, or allowing anyone else to either- that is a given.
    
42. Mom3.0 says:

    February 28, 2012 at 2:30 am

    Part 2 Cont- Sorry for the typos and errors-

    I do NOT think that JMs father was “always covering for his son”

    First, it is a FACT that his dad- gave his consent for Jesse to be polygraphed and for further questioning to take place-
    It is a fact that Jesse NEVER believed his son was a part of these heinous murders- it is a FACT that his dad said *IF* his son did kill Stevie, Mike and Chris, that Jesse would have to serve his time and pay the consequences-

    How is any of that equate to “covering” for his murdering son?

    I watched the same Geraldo show- and I watched the PL films and Jesse’s father NEVER seemed to be “covering” for any wrong doings of his son- He said (PP) Jesse drank and smoked weed- He said He believed his son was innocent- He apologized to Stevies Grandpa – but he clearly said He did not think his son killed those little boys.

    AND as for His girlfriend LEE, who wanted Big Jesse to disown his son- if guilty- He answered her with- (pp) I do not think he did it- and I will be there for my boy, *IF* he did it- he must pay- BUT I know what its like to be forgotten in prison and I wont do that to Jesse- How does that equate to “covering” for his son?

    Now was Jesse dad “unfit”? No I dont think he was, He was clearly ill equipped for dealing with a child with special needs- and much of that had nothing do do with HIS failures but with the failures of Jesses doctors and probation officers and teachers- etc-

    This man clearly liked to drink and he may have not been the best father, and he may have taught Jesse some very bad habits and failed in providing Jesse with the best upbringing- and possibly he even encouraged Jesse to drink and fight- but He was trying. And he seemed to want to do what he felt was best for his son- any one who has ever worked with families with these socio economic- alcohol etc issues would be able to understand the dynamics which may have been at play here-

    From all those who knew Jesse, he was described as loving and caring towards children- he was described as perhaps simple minded and easily led, but kind and thoughtful- at the same time acknowledging his quick temper and fondness for fighting…

    Jesse was clearly not the best kid, and he definitely had problems but I do not see how these facts equate to his committing these murders- where is the evidence of Jesse’s guilt and his coming clean?

    We have his “confessions” which are anything but spot on- and we have his shirt with blood which would seem to be his, although it could also be MM… yet, JM said he never really hurt MM much, as he cant hit hard when drunk….. and this shirt would be the ONLY ITEM that had so much evidence, everything else was practically devoid of blood evidence- the grass, the area- the clothes, the necklace, the shoes…. then we have a liquor bottle that may or may not have been THE EW bottle which JM claims he broke and threw under an overpass on May 5th, after being so mad at what the others had done….

    If JM was there and he was coming clean where is the truth of what happened? Where are the details only the killer would know… where are the correct facts that point to these 3 having done it?

    Please help me see it, cause I am seriously trying here.

    BTW What does Jesses father wanting to stand by his son, and not believing he was capable of murdering and mutilating Mike, Steve and Chris have to do with “covering” for him?

    Jesses father obviously did not believe the confessions, and I do not blame him, they are riddled with wrong facts, wrong times, wrong details and flat out lies- not to mention in several regards clearly a result of leading questioning and “fed” information… add to this that Jesse was most certainly still in his OWN neighborhood as late as 6:30-6:45… add to this LE was at first UNABLE to get a judge to move forward due to Jesse first confession – because it was clearly BS-

    So who could blame this father for giving his son the benefit of the doubt? Perhaps there are other reasons for Jesse to “confess” that have NOTHING to do with “the truth” of his having been there and participated in these murders…

    Ask yourselves if Jesse was your child, what you would think upon hearing these “fact filled” confessions?

    When did Big Jesse ever “cover” for Jesse? To me it seems his father merely stuck by his 17 yearold son, and chose to error on the side of – LE got this all wrong-

    I do not blame him taking all factors into consideration.

    How can anyone think that Jesse EVER “came clean” He clearly DID NOT- *IF* He killed these boys then he NEVER gave up any helpful information which would have aided LE with any bit of info they themselves had not already had-
    Jesse continued to lie about times and details and manner of death and possibly even who was there and participated and to what degree-

    I am at a loss as to why most who believe Jesse “confessed” and told the truth about what he did and who was there- and I am at a loss as to why so many think he “has a conscience” and felt bad- Seriously? IF we go by most thoughts- then we would have to think Jesse is a liar that has a heart, yet he went out of his way to lie and lie some more- which included lies of brutal rape, and Satanic BS

    This supposed poor kid with a big heart, who came clean— went out of his way to give the murder shoes to a friend— and he went out of his way to introduce DE to Vicki— and he went out of his way to call in tips to police— and he went out of his way to Protect/taunt Vicki and Aaron—- and he went out of his way to lead his father and Susie on, with lies of innocence —- and he went out of his way to NOT testify- and he went out of his way to continue to NOT provide the truth…

    AND we are supposed to believe that he did this all out of the goodness of his heart due to his nagging conscience? All inorder to secure a truck for his dear old dad?

    IF he was this smart and conniving and devious then why the hell would he simply not say he was there but never participated in any of it.. he was simply afraid for his life? WHy work with LE to tape DE why work with Vicki? Why implicate himself? Why give the shoes to buddy why involve Aaron and Vicki and his dad why not testify?

    IF his heart was so big and he actually felt bad- why systematically- destroy the lives of everyone with more and more lies nut at the same time hold back on taking a lesser plea inorder to testify?

    Whose to say this conscientious confessor is not in fact the ring leader or was simply there with someone OTHER than DE or JB-?

    Who can say?

    There is NOTHING that JM ever said that undoubtedly points to these 3 being the killers of these boys and there is nothing that points to JM coming clean and NOT being one of the worst of the culprits- if one is so inclined to believe these 3 are in fact the killers-

    AJMO

    Part 3
43. Mom3.0 says:

    February 28, 2012 at 3:28 am

    Cont Part 3

    “i will tell you all about it if you let me talk to my mother. ”

    How does this statement equate to Damien having committed these murders?

    It is a fact that Damien had coperated with police- He answered the questionare he spoke with Jones and the other officer at his home and

    He a;;oeed them to take hair and blood and he allowed them to photograph him as well as taking other photos showing no bodily injuries- He answered all religios “occult” questions he answered all questions asked of him- as he stated as a way to help police get thekillers-

    How does his wanting the interrogation to end and wanting to talk to his mom equate to his having killed Chris Mike and Stevie?

    He went to the police station- he agreed to be polygraphed he supposedly showed deception in this po0lygraph- but not on the question concerning his willingness to tell the complete truth during this lie detector test- HNo deception was noted when answering that he was going to be truthful…yet he failed…supposedly….

    LE informed him that he failed He said he was telling the truth, they continued to insist that he wasnt- he cont to deny any knowledge of the murders and any involment of the murders- yet they wouldnt believe him and continued to badger him-

    Continuing to press him for the “truth”- He then sat silent instead of contuniuing to insist he was not lying…they pressed on- still so DE then said

    “i will tell you all about it if you let me talk to my mother. ”

    –It seems to me this statment instead of undoubtedly illustrating guilt- could be a desperate and stupid attempt at getting Ridge and Co- to back off and let him see his momma- He was an 18 yearold kid- who was claiming to be innocent- whose to say this 18 year old kid was innocent and simply wanted LE to leave him alone so he could talk to his mom, after all hhe did not “tell them all about it” at least not by suddenly spewing forth that he was a murdering devil worshiping killer…. no he stuck with his claims of innconce and continued to say the same things… No he didnt “confess” but he did again reassert his innocence-….

    Yet he did not at any time refuse to answer questions or ask for a lawyer, nor did he refuse to give blood samples and all the rest…

    I dont think it can be said that all threee parents lied about their childs whereabouts that day- certainly not intentionally-

    I think like most parents who would find their children in this situation would scramble to recall any helpful detail or remembrance as Jasons Mom did and Jesse dad did with his class amd finding friends and nieghbors and records and bosses etc who may aid in detailing their sons alibis and whereabouts-

    I would think this was the same for Damiens family and friends as well- thioose who claimed to see him at Walmart or mowing the lawn, or claimed to talk on the phone with him, or even his mom who tried to establish his alibi with a trip to pick up a prescription…

    What parent would not fo this for their child?

    Could they have been mistaken? Its possible, Could these mistakes have been unintentional- yes-

    Could it have been a lie they knew they were telling but one in which they thought their child was innocent yes-

    Who can say what the case my be…were these3 alibi witnesses were these parents intentionally covering up their murderous sons whereabouts? To get them off despite knowing they killed the children, I do not think we can say that…although anything is possible, even something so deplorable as this-

    But I fail to see how any “failed alibi” could have possibly led any of the three to NOT come forward with the truth- as none of this helped them anyway right?

    AS to Damiens mother and her not being maternal- I can not speak to that- as I am sure given the history that has been documented, this would seem to be true- although I will say she did seek help for her son which resulted in the “500″ which so many see as evidence of guilt- and this seeking help is something any good mother would do….I do not know whether or not she was unwell or not- more than likely she was dealing with her own set of problems, as was her daughter- but again- I fail to see how any of this possible information equates to Damiens mom covering for her murderous son knowingly or how this potential alibi would undoubtedly paint her as “unmaternal” or Damien as the murderer of 3 8 year old playmates.

    I would think in 8 out of 10 households in this area at this time, each family could have swapped their “histories” problems, stories, parents and upbringing….

    Sadly even the victims themselves, so again, I do not see any of this as remotely being even close to illustrating that these 3 young men killed these 4 three boys or would have killed these 3 boys even given a “perfect storm”

    Having written all this- I still do not know if these 3 killed Mike and Chris and Steve it is possible that they did- I myself still have reasonable doubt and therefore I continue to search for the evidence that will sway me.

    Respectfully submitted

    AJMO
44. GraceintheHills says:

    February 28, 2012 at 9:51 am

    40. Matt says:
    February 27, 2012 at 4:23 pm
    So happy that mockumentary did not win the Oscar : )
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Agree, Matt!
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Blink says,
    “That said, I think if Jason and Damien were tried separately, and I vehemently believe they should have been, Jason would have testified against Damien and told a version of the truth.

    B
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    A friend of DH’s who represented one of the three in the Rule 37 hearings, said JB was offered a deal to testify against DE, but he refused, saying he would be lying, and as a result the decision to try them together stayed in effect.

    While I can appreciate that sentiment, it should be noted that counsel from the Rule 37 hearings was arguing “ineffectiveness” of earlier counsel and was paid for in part by the PL series, and Baldwin is on video stating his attorney was correct to not allow him to testify, and that Baldwin himself after hearing Echols would not believe him if he were a juror. ( or words to that effect- anyone needing to correct me please do)

    The prosecution felt the case was stronger against Echols ( because it all hinged for them on the Satanic evidence and knife) so they wanted to keep the defendants together. They believed a conviction for Echols meant a conviction for Baldwin. It was.

    From a defense position, they frequently used that very premise to suppress a great deal of testimony, and in the case of the candle wax, Jason’s satanic belongings in his own bedroom, and the blood evidence on the necklace it worked. Echols mental history and prior bad acts even if it fell in the probative vs. inflammatory category could not be introduced as it would taint Baldwin.

    Let’s not forget the necklace discovery after the prosecution rested their case in chief. If you can watch that “short” on demand of the counsels discussion while awaiting the amplified results please do-

    Everyone in that room knew that if a DNA sequence was coming back from it that would tie to either defendant, if the state was going to introduce it or not, the defense was asking for a mistrial.

    (rightly so, a delay at the end of the states case is always going to compromise a defendant)

    This is further evidenced by the fact that Miskelley joins the fray eventually, and while the fundraising is occurring and the lawyers are up in arms that the funds are only being utilized toward Echols seemingly, you see where the wheels come off for a bit, with the realization Echols appeal was going nowhere on his own.

    So the reality is, a strategic decision was made by the defense that the prosecution had entirely less to work with in their efforts to seek a conviction against their clients together vs, separately, and either a retrial via mistrial or hung jury would absolutely divide these defendants, it was their best shot at a successful and zealous defense.

    I would not even know how one could extrapolate their work product had that happened.

    B
45. marbor says:

    February 28, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    $100K reward offered in West Memphis 3 case

    http://www.kait8.com/story/17034327/100k-reward-offered-in-west-memphis-3-case

    So $10 million was not enough I guess.
    B
46. Matt says:

    February 28, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    This is an amazing piece and very profound to us all on here,

    Matt- You will have to snip, I read two lines and no way I will post a link with that kind of language, artfully intended or otherwise.
    B
47. Ragdoll says:

    February 28, 2012 at 5:46 pm

    @ marbor says:

    February 28, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    Wouldn’t it be interesting if new information takes this case full circle? A mustard seed of hope….

    Only 100k…makes me think they’re hoping it’s not enough doe ray me to find new information, period.
48. Lethalstorm says:

    February 28, 2012 at 5:51 pm

    No oscar for Paradise Lost 3. Is is possible not all of Hollywood is totally enamored with these killers?

    Anxiously awaiting your conclusion.
49. Matt says:

    February 28, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    Blink there is no foul language in the article at all, but I just seen the following article (which bears no relation) has the C word in it’s title. Here is the intended article,

    From the date of the article I know that I was about two months from turning fourteen. I was in the grocery store with my mother when the magazine rack by the checkout counter caught my eye.  Staring accusatorily out from the cover of May 18th, 1992 issue of Time magazine was an inoffensive looking man with large glasses and a soft face.  

    THIS MAN MAY BE INNOCENT.  THIS MAN IS DUE TO DIE.  The words INNOCENT and DIE were rendered in red ink.

    The article, called “Must this Man Die?” told the story of Roger Keith Coleman, a Virginia coal miner convicted of raping, stabbing, and – with sufficient force to partially behead her – cutting the throat of Wanda McCoy, (his 19-year-old sister-in-law) in 1981.

     It began with an epigram about the ghost of “an innocent man convicted.”  I read it in its entirety right there in aisle three.  Author Jill Smolowe stated flatly that “the courts failed Roger Coleman miserably.”  She called him a “victim” of the criminal justice system and reported several “facts” that suggested his innocence.  “The case against Coleman is built solely on circumstantial evidence: bits of hair, blood, semen that may be his, but then again may not.”

    Smolowe postulated that another man committed the murder.  “In late 1991 Gundy resident Teresa Horn signed an affidavit swearing that another man in the county had confessed to Wanda’s murder…He denies the allegations.”  In fact, Smolowe argued, the only reason Coleman had been arrested in the first place was because he “had the misfortune of having a record and lacking a convincing alibi.”

    I was extremely disturbed by the story.  To whatever small extent I’d considered the death penalty up to that point, it always made sense that murderers should be dealt with in kind.  But this article made me begin to rethink that position.  Here, as Smolowe said, was apparently clear evidence of  “a justice system so bent on streamlining procedures and clearing dockets that the question of whether or not” the accused was actually guilty, became “a subsidiary consideration.”

    That night as I lay in bed, I asked God to spare the life of Roger Keith Coleman.

    Other’s around the country seemed similarly moved by Coleman’s plight.  Newspaper editorials demanded that the state governor, or possibly even the US Supreme Court stay the execution.  Ted Koppel’s Nightline ran a sympathetic segment on Coleman.  Liberal talk show personality Phil Donahue even travelled to the hamlet of Gundy (where the murder had occurred) to do a little gumshoeing of his own in the hopes of discovering the real killer. 

    But it was all for naught.  On May 20th, two days after I’d stumbled across the magazine in the grocery store, Roger Coleman was executed after uttering these last words: “An innocent man is going to be murdered tonight. When my innocence is proven, I hope America will realize the injustice of the death penalty as all other civilized countries have.”  

    Eleven years later in 2003, a Persuasive Writing and Rhetoric course at ASU had me reconsidering the Coleman case.  The assignment was to pick a controversial issue and write a persuasive essay arguing one side or the other.  I picked capital punishment.  While I continued to believe that the crime of murder, at least theoretically, demanded the harshest possible sanction, memories of the Coleman case left me with questions about its efficacy and fairness in practice.  I decided that a reexamination of that case would be a good place to begin. 

    When the Time article appeared in 1992, home computers and the internet were still a few years away from achieving cultural ubiquity.  One’s means researching  current events was, by today’s standards, unimaginably limited.  By 2003 however, that was no longer the case.  I was able to search for information that had not been filtered by the editors at Time magazine or the ABC newsroom.  And what I found shocked me.

    It turns out the “record” that Roger Coleman had the “misfortune” of possessing (as if it were some contagion borne invisibly on the wind that that he’d innocently stumbled into) was not irrelevant to the McCoy case.  The record included a conviction for attempted rape.

    In 1977 Roger Coleman had forced his way into neighbor Brenda Ratliff’s house, tied her 6-year-old daughter to a chair, and began tearing Brenda’s clothes off.  Luckily neighbors, alerted by the little girl’s screams intervened before Coleman could consummate the attack.

    In her article, Smolowe discussed neither the details of Coleman’s record nor even what his previous conviction had been for.   She was similarly evasive regarding the “solely circumstantial” evidence against him.  McCoy’s body was smeared with coal dust (the crime was committed shortly after Coleman finished his shift at a local mine.) The bits of hair found on Wanda McCoy’s body matched Coleman’s pubic hair exactly.  The blood found on Coleman’s jeans was hers. 

    There was even more damning evidence though, the existence of which (though she knew) Smolowe breathed not a word of in cover story:  DNA.

    Investigators managed to extract DNA from the semen left in Wanda McCoy’s rectum and vagina.  Though the tests available at the time did not possess anything approaching the precision available today, they did yield some useful information.  Forensic scientists concluded that the DNA found on and in Wanda McCoy’s body contained “three genetic markers, two of which occur among only 0.2 percent of males in the United States.” (Dellinger).  The male population of Gundy, Virginia at the time of the murder was roughly 650.  Simple math would thus predict that only one man in the entire town would be a match for the crime scene DNA. The mysterious other man that Smolowe mentioned (but tellingly did not name) as the likely killer, was not a match.

    Roger Keith Coleman was. 

    Despite the overwhelming evidence of his guilt, anti-death penalty crusaders for years after his execution held Roger Coleman up as perhaps the best example of “an innocent man convicted” and executed. (Their efforts buoyed by the profoundly dishonest Time article.)  James McCloskey, director of a New Jersey non-profit called Centurion Ministries, (SEEKING FREEDOM FOR THE IMPRISONED INNOCENT) became Coleman’s most prominent and passionate apologist.  The two became very close friends while Coleman was on death row.  On the night of the execution McCloskey, weeping, promised Coleman that he would devote the rest of his life to proving his innocence.   He would do all he could to keep his word.

    As the techniques and technology of DNA testing improved, McCloskey petitioned the state of Virginia again and again to retest Coleman’s DNA, with methods possessing even more miniscule uncertainty margins.  Finally in 2006, Governor Mark Warner agreed to allow a retest of the DNA.  The test, performed on Jan. 5th by the Toronto based Centre for Forensic Sciences, proved beyond whatever vanishing flicker of doubt remained, that Roger Coleman was guilty.

    McCloskey, who by this point had invested 18 years in the defense of both Coleman’s life and memory, penned an anguished press release.  “Up until the Centre of Forensic Sciences issued the most recent DNA results, I had always believed in Roger’s complete innocence.  In my view, he had no motive, means, or opportunity to do this crime.  I now know that I was wrong.  Indeed, this is a bitter pill to swallow… a kick in the stomach.”

     McCloskey at least had the decency to admit his mistake.  When asked how she felt, now that the man whom she’d briefly transformed into a cause célèbre had been inarguably proven guilty, Jill Smolowe (by this time applying her considerable journalistic talents to celebrity fashion and relationship gossip with People magazine) claimed not to remember the biggest story of her career.  “That was many years ago.  I don’t really remember it and don’t have anything to say.” 

    I’m writing about this all now because in some ways it reminds of another murder case, another death penalty case that has similarly faded into and out of the public consciousness several times over the last twenty years.  I will not write of that case specifically because I don’t wish to think of it anymore.  In fact, I wish I could forget all I know of it.  

    Like the Coleman case, wrongful conviction is taken on faith by people who know least about it. Like the Coleman case it’s been exploited by liberal dilettantes and Hollywood assholes, people who despite lacking any knowledge of it or stake in its outcome, have like parasites somehow embedded themselves within it at sufficient depth to affect its outcome.  Unlike the Coleman case though, this time they succeeded, and yesterday three genuinely evil men were allowed walk out of prison and into the sun, free.

    Tonight three men who confessed to, plead guilty to, and were convicted of hog-tying, raping, and torturing three little boys to death, celebrate their new freedom with pizza and beer.  Their celebrity Emmanuels glide Bentleys though the Malibu hills and sleep comfortably in their mansions.  And three obliterated families, three families whose children were murdered, whose names were slandered, whose tormentors were showered with gifts, lamented as victims, hailed as heroes… do what? 

    I can’t imagine, and don’t believe that if I were in their shoes I’d even still be alive.

    And I can’t help but wonder what will happen if a similar crime occurs in the future.  Another child, perhaps another group of children, found tortured and mutilated, and one of our newly emancipated three (of course with a new name) happens to live nearby. Will anyone mention the first crime, the corrupt deal that set him free?  

    That was many years ago.  I don’t really remember it.

     
50. Blink says:

    February 28, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    Ragdoll- while your post might be one of the greatest I have ever read, I have serious concerns that it is extremely personal and private and probably better presented as a hypothetical given the subject matter.

    How amazing are you to be able to share that?

    I just don’t want anyone peering down your blouse you don’t know is looking- ya know?

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI

Leave a comment