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CherokeeKid
 Posted:
Sat May 31, 2008 9:14 pm |
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| pax wrote: | And today’s breaking news is this: DNA testing is complete, and none of the DNA recovered from the crime scene is a match for Damien, Jason, or Jessie.
Interesting. I'd like to see confirmation from a news source. |
Here is a CNN article I just found:
Defense: New evidence may clear 'West Memphis Three'
November 8, 2007
WEST MEMPHIS, Arkansas (CNN) -- They are known as the "West Memphis Three" -- young men who were arrested as teens and convicted of a triple killing with occult overtones that chills this working-class Mississippi River town to this day.
Defense attorneys for death row inmate Damien Echols say they have uncovered forensic evidence that could spare their client's life and help clear his co-defendants as well.
In the spring of 1993, three 8-year-old boys were found murdered in a drainage ditch not far from their homes. Their hands and feet were tied with their shoelaces.
And at the time it was thought to be an occult killing involving sexual abuse and mutilation.
A month after the bodies were found, three teenagers -- Echols, who was 18 at the time, Jessie Misskelley, then 17, and Jason Baldwin, then 16 -- were charged with the boys' murders.
They were convicted a year later after a trial that featured testimony about satanic rituals and heavy metal music. Misskelley is the only one given a chance at parole.
The case has long had its doubters, and it has been the subject of books and documentaries. The West Memphis Three have a following of celebrity activists.
In court papers filed last week, attorneys for Echols stated that -- even with DNA testing unavailable in 1993 -- they have uncovered no forensic evidence tying the three to the murders of Christopher Byers, Steven Branch and James Michael Moore. But DNA that might belong to two other men was found in hairs found at the crime scene, the documents state.
The slayings of the three Cub Scouts struck fear deep in the heart of a community, and some people say that fear led to a rush to arrest and convict.
"It was hysteria. Everyone was concerned. Everyone started bringing their children in," said Ron Lax, who has worked the case as a private investigator for the defense since 1993.
"They were convinced there were monsters loose, devil worshipers, Satanists," he recalled. "It was like the community was relieved when the arrests were made because the big, bad boogeyman had been caught."
"I'm not sure Perry Mason could have got those boys off," said Gerald Skahan, a member of Damien Echols' defense team.
The convictions followed, in part, as a result of statements by Misskelley. The reliability of his words has long been called into question.
Misskelley, who is "borderline retarded," Lax said, "had a very difficult time keeping the story straight -- even with the help of police."
Misskelley's father, Jessie Misskelley Sr., maintained police forced his son to make the confession. "My son is innocent," he said.
In their court papers, Echols' defense team pointed out that there is no physical evidence linking the three men convicted to the three boys slain. No hairs, no fibers, and not a shred of DNA.
"We are saying is that there's no credible evidence that links any of these defendants to the crime," said Dennis Riordan, San Francisco-based defense attorney.
Riordan said a team of seven forensic scientists has reviewed the autopsy results, photographs and trial testimony. As part of a 200-plus page filing, the experts concluded there was no evidence of sexual abuse or any type of satanic killing.
They also found that the injuries on the bodies of the boys -- which prosecutors called mutilation -- actually were caused by animals after the boys were killed.
Echols' lawyers maintained that it's not their job to solve the crime, only to show that their client wasn't involved. But the defense team said two hairs found at the crime scene could belong to one of the victim's stepfathers and the man's friend.
"The new DNA evidence is that one hair that was found in the ligature of the shoelaces that bound Michael Moore is consistent with the DNA of Terry Hobbs, who is the father of Stevie Branch," Lax told CNN.
He continued: "Another hair that had been found at the crime scene, which had been unidentified for all these years, has just recently been tested. And the DNA on that hair is consistent with the DNA of David Jacoby. David Jacoby is a good friend or was a good friend of Terry Hobbs, and Terry Hobbs was at his house just that afternoon and evening."
While David Jacoby did not return CNN's calls, Hobbs' attorney, Ross Sampson, told CNN it's possible his client's hair was found at the scene. "It was naturally transferred; it was a child that lived with him," Sampson said.
"Mr. Hobbs had absolutely nothing to do with the death of his own stepson or the two other individuals in this matter," Sampson stated.
Hobbs spoke with CNN. He said the new suspicions are hurtful to him.
"It's hard as a parent to live with the loss of your home, of your wife, your family and then to have your friends and neighbors look at you and think, 'Is there something else there?' That hurts," he said.
State prosecutor Brent Davis would not comment on the case and his office referred calls to the Arkansas attorney general.
"While the State will look at the new allegations and evidence objectively, it stands behind the conviction of Mr. Echols and that of his codefendants and does not anticipate a reversal of the juries' verdicts," Gabe Holmstrom, spokesperson for Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, said in a written statement.
West Memphis Police Chief Bob Paudert was not working in the town when the murders took place. But he didn't rule out further investigation.
"If we're told to look into it we will. If they have DNA evidence that would give evidence that these three did not commit that crime, I would want to see it absolutely. I'm the first to say that if they have evidence to free those three I would support it 100 percent."
In the meantime, Echols, Misskelley and Baldwin wait in jail, hoping to one day be free men. The families of the victims grieve. A town still hopes to some day recover. And new questions in this old case continue to go unanswered.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/11/07/west.memphis.three/index.html
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| Obscuregawdess
Posted:
Sat May 31, 2008 9:18 pm |
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I guess I forgot to post that... thought I did. It is in my "archive". 
Thanks so much, CK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a great article.  ~xo~
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"Bratty Mama Leci"
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 11754
Location: Kentucky
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| pax
Posted:
Sat May 31, 2008 9:54 pm |
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Thanks ck. It's a bit confusing with all the dates, that's okay. I thought it was breaking news today.
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Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 16032
Location: Wish You Were Here
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| CherokeeKid
Posted:
Sat May 31, 2008 10:00 pm |
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| Obscuregawdess wrote: | I guess I forgot to post that... thought I did. It is in my "archive".
Thanks so much, CK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a great article. ~xo~ |
Hey OG!
You are most welcome! 
I just throw it out there, not knowing if you had posted it or not! LOL There is sooo much info and I just read bits and pieces here and there. And did a spontanious google search. That's all!
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| CherokeeKid
Posted:
Sat May 31, 2008 10:04 pm |
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| pax wrote: | | Thanks ck. It's a bit confusing with all the dates, that's okay. I thought it was breaking news today. |
YW, Pax. This was my first thought, too. But when I looked closer on that blog entry I saw that it was from last year. It's an interesting case. I'm still trying to read more info on it.
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Joined: 11 May 2006
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| pax
Posted:
Sat May 31, 2008 10:05 pm |
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Awesome ck! Spontaneous googleations are welcome.
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Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 16032
Location: Wish You Were Here
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| Obscuregawdess
Posted:
Sat May 31, 2008 11:08 pm |
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Yep. A lot of my tuff is buried anyway under a lot of stuff. I could use your help, hehe. So glad to see ya here. Missed corresponding with ya! 
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"Bratty Mama Leci"
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 11754
Location: Kentucky
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| CherokeeKid
Posted:
Sun Jun 01, 2008 12:18 am |
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Eh, Pax, don't you know that my middle name could be Google?
OG, I'm jumping all over the place. Reading and posting a little here and there. When taking a break from housework. Uff. You did a great job with this forum! I'll be back! 
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| pax
Posted:
Sun Jun 01, 2008 12:30 am |
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Yay! Looking forward to your comments cherokeegooglekid.
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Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 16032
Location: Wish You Were Here
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| Obscuregawdess
Posted:
Sun Jun 01, 2008 12:36 am |
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| CherokeeKid wrote: | Eh, Pax, don't you know that my middle name could be Google?
OG, I'm jumping all over the place. Reading and posting a little here and there. When taking a break from housework. Uff. You did a great job with this forum! I'll be back! |
 Thanks, sweetie! So happy that you're interested and looking through some stuff. Can't wait to see more of ya here!  Sweet dreams!!!!!!
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"Bratty Mama Leci"
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 11754
Location: Kentucky
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| Obscuregawdess
Posted:
Sun Jun 01, 2008 12:36 am |
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| pax wrote: | | Yay! Looking forward to your comments cherokeegooglekid. |
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"Bratty Mama Leci"
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 11754
Location: Kentucky
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| CherokeeKid
Posted:
Sun Jun 01, 2008 1:25 am |
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| pax wrote: | | Yay! Looking forward to your comments cherokeegooglekid. |
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| CherokeeKid
Posted:
Sun Jun 01, 2008 1:40 am |
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| Obscuregawdess wrote: |
Thanks, sweetie! So happy that you're interested and looking through some stuff. Can't wait to see more of ya here! Sweet dreams!!!!!! |
You are very welcome, g/f. I was just checking out the petitions you posted. Will do some more reading. Sweet dreams to you too! 
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| Obscuregawdess
Posted:
Sun Jun 01, 2008 2:35 am |
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| CherokeeKid wrote: |
You are very welcome, g/f. I was just checking out the petitions you posted. Will do some more reading. Sweet dreams to you too! |
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"Bratty Mama Leci"
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 11754
Location: Kentucky
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| Obscuregawdess
Posted:
Tue Jun 24, 2008 3:35 pm |
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Lawyers, group reconcile WM3 funds
West Memphis Evening Times
By TRIP COOK
trip.cook@gmail.com
January 25, 2008
After accusations of unequal funding for the "West Memphis Three," lawyers for the three men convicted for the murders of three West Memphis boys announced Wednesday that future contributions to the defense fund would be used to "meet the needs of all our clients... "
The announcement followed the formation of the West Memphis Three Innocence Project, a non-profit organization formed to address a "lack of openness and fairness in fund distribution" in the defense fund, according to the group's website.
But Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin, two of the three men convicted for the murder of three West Memphis boys, released statements saying they would not accept funds from the new group.
Echols, whose wife Lorri Davis helps run the legal defense fund for the three men, wrote that the new group's founders were attempting to "further their own agendas by making use of my name, pain and misfortune as well as that of Jason and Jessie."
"At a time when I should be preparing for the upcoming fight against the charges made a against me, I am having to deal with the actions and accusations made by this WM3IP group," Echols wrote in a message to the group. "I do not think the word 'supporter' can be applied to any involved with the WM3IP website."
The WM3IP group includes Mara Leveritt, author of the book "Devil's Knot," which detailed the murders.
Also on the board are Arkansas filmmaker Kelly Duda, University of Central Arkansas teacher Lanette Grate and Amanda Lamb, a founding member of ARWAR, an Arkansas-based group fighting injustice in the courts.
Duda, the group's president, wrote Thursday that if arrangements were made to make fundraising with the defense fund more "open and verifiable," the WM3IP group would focus on supporting and cooperating with the original group.
But if one or more of the three men does not receive equal access to the defense funds, the group will resume a mission to "ensure openness and fairness... " Duda wrote.
"In that what is done, not what is said, remains the 'bottom line,' we look forward to seeing the changes that the lawyers are promising implemented soon," he wrote.
Posted by wm3ip, inc. at 11:24 PM Links to this post
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Freedom fund squabble grows
West Memphis 3 reject defense project's help
By Marc Perrusquia (Contact)
Friday, January 25, 2008
It's been a rough first month for a nonprofit organization that aims to raise defense funds for the West Memphis Three.
First, the West Memphis 3 Innocence Project Inc. learned the convicted killers it wants to help won't accept their money.
Then, the organization encountered a legal obstacle -- a cease and desist letter from the New York-based Innocence Project, which claims its name has been illegally used.
"These individuals are not connected or affiliated with me or my case in any way, and I will not be accepting anything from them," death row inmate Damien Echols said in an e-mail circulated this week to friends and supporters.
Echols, 33, is one of three convicted in the 1993 slayings of three 8-year-old boys found nude and hogtied in a drainage ditch.
The West Memphis Three have gained celebrity status among Hollywood actors, musicians and others who believe they were wrongly convicted.
Supporters raised hundreds of thousands of dollars before a splinter group calling themselves the West Memphis 3 Innocence Project formed a rival fund-raising organization.
Leaders of the new organization contend funds haven't been shared equally among all defendants and say the chief fund-raiser -- Echols' wife -- hasn't given any public accounting of the money.
The assertions stirred fiery responses from Echols and co-defendant Jason Baldwin, who's serving a life sentence, and have triggered a legal warning from the Innocence Project in New York.
"This is an unauthorized and illegal use of the Innocence Project's name," Innocence Project spokesman Eric Ferrero said Thursday.
Founded in 1992 by Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld to exonerate wrongfully convicted people through DNA testing, the Innocence Project has a national network of some 40 local organizations that legally use its name, but the Arkansas organization isn't one of them.
Ferrero said the Innocence Project has sent a cease and desist letter to the new group advising it to change its name or face legal action. There has been no response, Ferrero said.
West Memphis Three Innocence Project president Kelly Duda said he hasn't received the letter. Duda said he was "cautiously optimistic" that handling and accounting of funds controlled by Echols' wife, Lorri Davis, can be improved.
Duda's group took another blow this week when attorneys for all three defendants issued a statement supporting Davis.
"We have complete confidence that Lorri Davis and others who have organized past fund-raising efforts have done so with integrity and with the aim of seeing justice done," said the statement from lawyers Michael Burt, Dennis Riordan, Donald Horgan and John Philipsborn.
Echols was less diplomatic in his e-mail from prison: "By making false accusations against my loved ones, my friends and the supporters who have gone out of their way to help me for many, many years the operators of the wm3ip website have caused me tremendous grief."
-- Marc Perrusquia: 529-2545
Posted by wm3ip, inc. at 2:38 PM Links to this post
Thursday, January 24, 2008
From the Board of the WM3IP, Inc.
24 January 2008
The letter from the WM3 attorneys thanking everyone for their support and assuring supporters that “arrangements are being made to ensure that future contributions will be used to meet the needs of all our clients as they prepare for further legal proceedings” has made a very positive impact on the cause of the WM3. This message has been the central theme of our organization and we vigorously support the lawyers in this regard.
We appreciate the thanks offered by the lawyers for everyone’s efforts, both past and present, to support the West Memphis Three and are buoyed by John Phillipsborn’s pointed comment to the AP that: “The process has been improved for all concerned.”
Also, we acknowledge the hard work of Lorri Davis and the wm3.org in the past. We can only wonder why Ms Davis, or the publicist Alice Leeds, would attack us for trying to shed light on a situation that obviously needed to be addressed. The notion that we would be perceived as a threat to Ms. Davis, wm3.org, or the cause of freedom for the men in prison is beyond logic given the clearly stated founding principles of the WM3IP, Inc.
We look forward to assisting the lawyers for these young men in any way possible and are cautiously optimistic that in the days ahead we will see a convergence of efforts on everyone’s behalf. We claim no exclusive right to assist these innocent young men, and are concerned that anyone would want to be the “official site” for the West Memphis Three. Supporting the men in prison as they struggle for their freedom is a multi-dimensional task that will continue to require the efforts of many.
If the lawyers for all three young men are indeed making the arrangements mentioned in their letter and these changes are open and verifiable, we will shift our main focus to the other endeavors as set forth in our clearly defined Mission Statement; including supporting and cooperating with the wm3.org site to achieve our mutual goal of freeing Jason, Damien, and Jessie. In furtherance of our Mission Statement and in accordance with all laws pertaining to tax-exempt organizations, we will continue to function as a vehicle to raise and disburse funds on behalf of all supporters with the continued understanding that we have no agenda or self-interests other than insuring justice for the West Memphis Three and others similarly situated.
In that what is done not what is said remains the "bottom line" we look forward to seeing the changes that the lawyers are promising implemented soon. Going forward, we intend to support them and this cause in any way deemed appropriate; yet if there is any dissension in the ranks of the lawyers, which we now do not expect, or any indication that one or more of the three young men is not receiving equal access to all defense funds then we will resume our mission to ensure openness and fairness despite any renewed personal attacks on us or our stated goals.
Please join us in congratulating all supporters everywhere who have worked in the past and will continue to work to gain the freedom of The West Memphis Three - Jason Baldwin, Damien Echols, and Jessie Misskelley - for crimes that they did not commit.
Thank you,
Kelly Duda, President
And the board of directors of the WM3IP, Inc.
Posted by wm3ip, inc. at 5:36 PM Links to this post
Lawyers: Funding agreement reached in West Memphis slaying case
By JON GAMBRELL
Wednesday, January 23, 2008 10:45 PM CST
LITTLE ROCK - Lawyers representing the men convicted in the 1993 slayings of three boys in West Memphis said Wednesday they had reached an agreement on how donations should be funneled to their defense.
The announcement comes after another group was formed to raise money for the three men, who sympathizers refer to as the "West Memphis Three."
In a letter to supporters, the lawyers wrote that "all have benefited" from recent DNA testing done for an appeal on behalf of death-row inmate Damien Echols. A fund accepting donations from a supporters' Web site for the three covered costs of the tests, which ran "more than a hundred thousand dollars."
"We can assure supporters that arrangements are being made to ensure that future contributions will be used to meet the needs of all our clients as they prepare for further legal proceedings in state court," the letter read.
Echols, now 33, was sentenced to death for the slayings of Stevie Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore. Jason Baldwin, 30, received a life sentence without parole, while Jessie Misskelley, 32, received a life-plus-40-year sentence for the killings.
The three victims disappeared May 5, 1993, while riding bicycles in their quiet, tree-lined neighborhood. The bodies of the three Cub Scouts were found the next day in a watery ditch near their homes.
John Philipsborn, a longtime attorney for Baldwin, previously said he hadn't seen any of the recent large donations that have come into the trust and legal defense fund in Echols' name, which is controlled by his wife Lorri Davis. Wednesday, Philipsborn said lawyers had held "several days of productive discussions" about the funding before issuing the letter.
"The process has been improved for all concerned," he said.
Dennis Riordan, an attorney for Echols, declined to elaborate.
Other supporters recently launched a group called The West Memphis Three Innocence Project, aiming to create a nonprofit group to equally fund defense efforts for all three men. Statements attributed to Baldwin and Echols on a Web site about the case said the men wouldn't accept any funds from the new group.
"We're tentatively optimistic about the possibility of changes being made, and hope that a resolution can occur quickly," Kelly Duda, a member of a group that organized the new project, said Wednesday after the announcement by the lawyers.
On the Net:
Supporters' Web site with Echols' fund: http://www.wm3.org
The West Memphis 3 Innocence Project: http://www.wm3innocenceproject.com
A service of the Associated Press(AP)
Posted by wm3ip, inc. at 12:26 AM Links to this post
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
From the WM3 Attorneys
23 January 2008
OPEN LETTER TO SUPPORTERS OF THE WEST MEMPHIS THREE
As the lawyers who represent Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley in their respective state and federal court challenges to their 1994 murder convictions, we feel it necessary to reply to questions that have been publicly raised recently about whether conflicts have arisen between the three defense teams.
Each of us is ethically obligated to vigorously promote the legal interests of our individual clients. Nonetheless, despite the fact that the cases of our clients are in different procedural postures, we have worked cooperatively whenever legally possible because the ultimate interests of Jason, Jessie, and Damien are the same.
All three are accused of jointly committing crimes of which all three are innocent. Evidence that exculpates one therefore exculpates all. That is plainly true of the critically important DNA testing that has been conducted on behalf of our clients in recent years. Our clients obtained the court order authorizing that testing only by pledging to underwrite its cost which, given its extensive scope, has run into more than a hundred thousand dollars.
The defense has had to pay those fees thus far because the State of Arkansas has no mechanism to fund such testing, which all parties in this case agreed had to be conducted by an out of state accredited laboratory. Only the generous donations of supporters enabled the defense teams, and the State, to conduct that testing, which is on going.
Counsel for all of our clients have participated in obtaining judicial determinations as to which evidentiary items would be subjected to testing. All have benefitted from the discovery that while DNA evidence of potential suspects has been recovered from the crime scene, none of that DNA came from Baldwin, Misskelley and Echols. All of us have assisted in the development of the recent findings by the nation's leading forensic pathologists that the victims suffered pastmortem animal predation. Those findings have devastated the state's theory that the victims suffered ritualistic satanic injuries, a theory that the state employed at the trials of all three defendants.
We have the greatest thanks for all who in the past have financially assisted the legal efforts to free Jessie, Jason, and Damien. Much work remains to be done. We have complete confidence that Lorri Davis and others who have organized past fund raising efforts have done so with integrity and with the aim of seeing justice done, and we can assure supporters that arrangements are being made to ensure that future contributions will be used to meet the needs of all our clients as they prepare for further legal proceedings in state court.
Dennis P. Riordan
Donald M. Hogan
Counsel for Damien Echols
John Phillipsborn
Blake Hendrix
Counsel for Jason Baldwin
Michael Burt
Jeff Rosenzweig
Counsel for Jessie Misskelley
Posted by wm3ip, inc. at 5:37 PM Links to this post
Friday, January 18, 2008
Attorney: Fund for 1993 slaying suspects not going equally to all
By JON GAMBRELL
Thursday, January 17, 2008 6:45 PM CST
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Supporters of the three teens convicted in the brutal 1993 slayings of three West Memphis boy say they've raised more than $1 million for their court appeals from rock star donors and the Internet-savvy.
But a longtime attorney for Jason Baldwin says he and those defending Jessie Misskelley haven't seen any of the recent large donations that have come into the trust and legal defense funds of death-row inmate Damien Echols. Meanwhile, other supporters of the men known to sympathizers as the "West Memphis Three" are setting up a nonprofit corporation to funnel donations equally to the three.
"What we're talking about here is simple and uncontroversial _ it's about accountability and it's about transparency," said Kelly Duda of a new group called The West Memphis Three Innocence Project. "This is about making sure there are sufficient funds to support all three men, not just one."
John Philipsborn, a San Francisco lawyer for Baldwin, said he took the case after rock band Pearl Jam and punk rocker Henry Rollins raised money for DNA testing of evidence from the killings. That money, which Philipsborn described as entering the "tens of thousands" of dollars, came six years ago along with a small lump sum for the attorneys on the case.
Since then, Philipsborn said he and attorneys representing Misskelley haven't seen matching funding, though an Internet site about the case asks supporters to donate to the "Damien Echols Trust Fund."
"If a million dollars has been raised, I know nothing about that," Philipsborn told The Associated Press from Honolulu. "I think it is fair to say after the amazing generosity of Pearl Jam and Henry Rollins, the non-Echols teams have not seen a lot of funding."
Dennis Riordan, a San Francisco lawyer representing Echols, said he had canceled checks sent to Philipsborn's law firm for more than $10,000 in 2005 and 2006. Philipsborn said the money was used to pay investigators working on the case. Riordan said much of the money raised went to forensic testing and experts used during Echols' recent appeal in federal court.
"There is none of that testing and the result of it that favors any defendant more or less than any other defendant," Riordan said.
Riordan said Echols' wife Lorri Davis signs the checks that come out of the bank account for donations. Davis did not return calls for comment Thursday.
Echols, now 33, was sentenced to death for the slayings of Stevie Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore. Baldwin, 30, received a life sentence without parole, while Misskelley, 32, received a life-plus-40-year sentence for the killings.
The three victims disappeared May 5, 1993, while riding bicycles in their quiet, tree-lined neighborhood. The bodies of the three Cub Scouts were found the next day in a watery ditch near their homes.
Police arrested the three teenagers after a confession by Misskelley in which he described how he watched Baldwin and Echols sexually assault and beat two of the boys. Misskelley said he ran down another boy trying to escape. Prosecutors say the killings stemmed from the teens' participation in a satanic cult.
The Arkansas Supreme Court upheld the convictions, but a later documentary about the case sparked interest across the Internet, as well as among celebrities. Last month, about 150 supporters of the men, including Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines, rallied on the steps of the state Capitol.
Echols' appeal claims that evidence from the crime scene that could be tested for DNA showed no sign of the three convicted in the killings. The appeal also includes testimony from forensic experts saying the genital mutilation that one victim suffered came from animals rather than a knife blade. However, Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said Wednesday that none of the new evidence exonerated the three.
The West Memphis 3 Innocence Project filed with the Secretary of State's office last month as a nonprofit corporation. The group says it will file to become a federally recognized nonprofit in the coming days and post its application on its Web site.
While Echols faces execution, Duda said it makes no sense to pour money only into his legal defense.
"Each man has his separate issues on appeal that he has to face and will have to successfully overcome to walk out of prison," Duda said. "And they walk out of prison through different doors."
On the Net:
Supporters' Web site with Echols' fund: http://www.wm3.org
The West Memphis 3 Innocence Project: http://www.wm3innocenceproject.com
A service of the Associated Press(AP)
Posted by wm3ip, inc. at 10:16 PM Links to this post
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Money at Root of Effort to Free WM3
Supporters of W. Memphis trio feud over funds for defendants
By Marc Perrusquia
Thursday, January 17, 2008
As the West Memphis Three brace for hearings they hope will secure their release from prison this spring, supporters who have long proclaimed their innocence are locked in a distracting feud.
The division focuses on money -- more than $1 million -- raised to pay for new DNA testing of evidence linked to the 1993 murders of three 8-year-old boys.
Those tests have raised questions about the case and have given new life to claims by convicted killers Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley that they've been wrongfully imprisoned the past 15 years.
Nonetheless, a splinter group of West Memphis Three supporters has launched a rival fund-raising organization, saying it is fed up with the handling of a legal defense fund that's attracted large donations from wealthy Hollywood actors and musicians along with smaller gifts from citizens across the country.
Leaders of the new organization contend there's been no accounting of defense funds raised so far and that the money hasn't been evenly split among the three defendants.
"How much money has been raised in the name of the West Memphis Three? ... How much of that money is being devoted to the defense of all three of them?'' reads an Internet Web site launched this week by the just-founded West Memphis 3 Innocence Project Inc.
Founded with assistance from one of the original defense lawyers on the case and an author who wrote a book about the murders, the nonprofit organization also aims criticism at Echols' wife, Lorri Davis.
A New York landscape architect, Davis, 44, married Echols, 33, eight years ago after learning of the case and corresponding with him by letters sent to Arkansas' death row. She has emerged as a leading advocate for the West Memphis Three and has become the defendant's primary fund-raiser.
"Isn't it a clear conflict of interest for a spouse of one of the WM3 to have what appears to be ultimate control over funding that is intended for all three young men?'' asks the new Web site that seeks donations of its own on behalf of the three defendants.
West Memphis 3 Innocence Project president Kelly Duda said he likes Davis and applauds her efforts but said she's given no public accounting of her fund-raising efforts. Among concerns, Duda said when he and associates contributed money, they didn't receive receipts.
"People have been asking these questions for a long time. The house of cards is crumbling,'' Duda, a Little Rock filmmaker, said Wednesday. "Donors have a right to know where their money is going and how it's being spent. That's not happening.''
Davis declined to discuss details of the fund she controls but said she's received no complaints from defense lawyers representing the three.
"They are all happy with the way the money is being spent,'' Davis said. Indeed, Echols' San Francisco lawyer, Dennis Riordan, said he had no misgivings about Davis' fund-raising.
"It's all accounted for,'' Riordon said. Suggestions to the contrary by the new organization are "absolutely false,'' he said.
Davis' New York publicist, Alice Leeds, dismissed the new group's assertions, saying her client's devotion to the case has left her with a mound of bills. "Right now, she's about $40,000 in debt,'' Leeds said.
Leeds also questioned the motives of two people affiliated with the new organization -- board member Mara Leveritt, who wrote a book, "Devil's Knot," about the West Memphis murders; and Paragould, Ark., lawyer Dan Stidham, Misskelley's original attorney. Stidham consulted with the new organization before becoming a full-time judge this month and has often been paid expenses for speaking to groups about the case.
"These individuals have been making their names and money ... by using this case for years,'' Leeds said. "It is about self-interest.''
-- Marc Perrusquia: 529-2545
© 2008 Scripps Newspaper Group — Online
http://wm3ip.blogspot.com/
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"Bratty Mama Leci"
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 11754
Location: Kentucky
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| pax
Posted:
Tue Jun 24, 2008 4:00 pm |
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Man oh man. Mo money mo problems.
Hopefully the wm3 group can provide the accounting requested, get run by someone all agree to, and the other group will shut down. I don't think it's right that the other group uses that name.
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Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 16032
Location: Wish You Were Here
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| Obscuregawdess
Posted:
Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:19 am |
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I think they have it straightened out now. Those that were mocking Damien's wife were finally put in their place by Jason and Damien both and all three's lawyers. Lorri has worked her ass off for basically no financial reward. That stuff was a mess!
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"Bratty Mama Leci"
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 11754
Location: Kentucky
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| pax
Posted:
Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:03 am |
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| Obscuregawdess wrote: | | I think they have it straightened out now. Those that were mocking Damien's wife were finally put in their place by Jason and Damien both and all three's lawyers. Lorri has worked her ass off for basically no financial reward. That stuff was a mess! |
I'm glad it's straightened out now. If you can find a good youtube of Lori, please post it here. Kudos to everyone who learns more about this case.
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Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 16032
Location: Wish You Were Here
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| Obscuregawdess
Posted:
Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:06 pm |
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WM3 – Playlist featured today!
http://www.imeem.com/music/featured
Monday, July 14, 2008
Join WM3 Imeem site
Hello Folks,
Please come join me at Imeem.com – The folks at Imeem.com have made a special page to support the West Memphis Three: http://www.imeem.com/wm3
..:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O />
On July 21st this site will be featured on Imeem.com so come join us so we continue our support and spread the word about the West Memphis Three.
You will be able to find WM3 media including video, photos, and music.
About Imeem: imeem is a social network that enables users to discover, interact and express themselves with media, including music, video and photos, and form connections based on shared tastes and interests.
Thanks for your ongoing support.
~Anje
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=41045221&blogID=416838629&Mytoken=D8A7295E-E621-45E1-A59107B8F536FE2422793545
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"Bratty Mama Leci"
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 11754
Location: Kentucky
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| Obscuregawdess
Posted:
Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:09 pm |
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Autographed Tom Brady Jersey with 50% going to WM3
HEY I'M RUNNING A EBAY AUCTION FOR A SIGNED TOM BRADY JERSEY,AND I WILL DONATE 50% BACK TO THE WM3 FUND BY BUYING SHIRTS TO GIVE OUT AT STURGIS....HERE IS THE EBAY ITEM NUMBER...HOPE THIS HELPS
110271663973
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110271663973&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm37%26satitle%3D110271663973%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1
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"Bratty Mama Leci"
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 11754
Location: Kentucky
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| Obscuregawdess
Posted:
Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:12 pm |
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You can now donate on MySpace CAUSES Damien Echols Defense F
Join cause and/or donate at: http://profile.myspace.com/Modules/Applications/Pages/Canvas.aspx?appId=100691&appParams=%22%7B%22t%22%3A%22bulletin%22%2C%22recruiter_id%22%3A%2215120360%22%2C%22m%22%3A%2290724%22%2C%22e%22%3A%221c662%22%2C%22cause_id%22%3A%2287903%22%2C%22url%22%3A%22%2Fmyspace%2Fcause_memberships%2Frecruit%22%2C%22force_frame%22%3Atrue%7D%22
Come join my cause: Damien Echols Defense Fund! You will be able to recruit friends, raise money, and add a profile badge to show your support!
You can now donate via ATA towards the Defense Fund of the West Memphis Three.
Here is a statement from one of the founders of ATA - Brent Peterson:
Donations to ATA will be used to fund the legal defense of the West Memphis 3, for scientific testing, forensic expert expenses and to raise awareness about the case primarily in the state of Arkansas. After the conclusion of the case, any remaining funds will be transferred to the Innocence Project.
ATA (Arkansas Take Action) is a 501(c)(3) and approved by GuideStar. Only 501(c)(3) are allowed to become beneficiaries via GuideStar for the CAUSES through MySpace. Thanks. Please donate, the WM3 need money now more than ever.
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=41045221&blogID=414691143&Mytoken=D8A7295E-E621-45E1-A59107B8F536FE2422793545
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"Bratty Mama Leci"
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 11754
Location: Kentucky
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| Obscuregawdess
Posted:
Mon Sep 01, 2008 6:32 pm |
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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Gris Grimly and the West Memphis Three...
In a more serious vein, Grimly also passed on some news about the West Memphis Three, a cause he enthusiastically supports. The folks behind the WM3 organization have launched a "Photo Wall" on their website where people can upload photos of themselves to let the world know they support these three unjustly accused young men. Each photo costs only $6 to upload, and 100% of proceeds go directly to WM3 Defense Fund. And don't forget about Grimly's own line of "Broken Justice" t-shirts, which he designed to help raise funds for the WM3. Some sizes have sold out already, but he'll be printing more soon. Visit the official Mad Creator Productions site to place an order, and while you're there, be one of the first to join their Street Fiends street team!
- Debi Moore
http://www.dreadcentral.com/story/gris-grimly-directs-music-video
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http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=41045221&blogID=427512678&MyToken=75271153-5d3b-42b9-9f02-9bcb641b4b56
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"Bratty Mama Leci"
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 11754
Location: Kentucky
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| Obscuregawdess
Posted:
Mon Sep 01, 2008 6:34 pm |
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Speak your mind - go to the blog on Arkansas site
Monday, August 25, 2008
The smoking affidavit
Mara Leveritt's website ( http://www.maraleveritt.com/views/secret-affidavit-in-echolsbaldwin-case-hides-a-bombshell ) explains the potential bombshell under wraps in circuit court in Jonesboro -- a lawyer who has sworn he was contacted by the jury foreman during one of the West Memphis Three murder trials to talk about the case. Once the convictions were returned, the juror said there'd been no outside contacts that might have influenced his decision, though he'd talked to the lawyer about the prosecution's case and the need to "convince" a few holdout jurors of guilt.
Leveritt thinks the affidavit is proof of misconduct sufficient to warrant a new trial. Circuit Judge David Burnett's conduct in the past and in the current case offers scant hope for careful jurisprudence at the circuit court level, however.
Who is the "prominent attorney" who has made this statement? Will he come forward in the interest of justice to build more public pressure for the reconsideration this case begs for?
Posted by Max Brantley on August 22, 2008 04:14 PM
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Comments
Is it always necessary to challenge someone's integrity anytime that person does not reach a decision that the venerable staff at the Arkansas Times thinks is the correct one? I have no problem with the AT, and Max in particular, taking a contrary position to individuals on issues, but are the insults necessary? Damn, David Burnett has been a judge for what, 30 years? He is widely respected by his peers and the people in his circuit and you have the audacity to just casually state with no basis that he will not carefully adjudicate this matter? I think it's wholly irresponsible and intellectually simple minded to cast insults like that. If I were Judge Burnett or Pat Hays or any number of others who catch your insults on a regular basis, it would be damned difficult to not punch you in the jaw.
ARK. BLOG: Should I land in your jursidiction, I hope you give me a shoutout so I can have my guard up. Burnett's conduct in this hearing alone is sufficient for criticism, never mind past episodes worthy of recall. There's no need for the gag order, save sparing the public further reason to question official conduct in the case. People who were in the courtroom report his lack of familiarity with the pleadings in this particular portion of the case and a dismissive attitude to the appellants. It is no exaggeration to say that the attitude doesn't befit a case where a life is at stake.
Posted by: ThePiginBlack | August 22, 2008 04:41 PM
Max is not the only one who believes Judge Burnett will not carefully adjudicate this matter. Most likely, he made his mind up long ago. Odds are he won't even grant a full hearing.
Posted by: Pippy | August 22, 2008 04:48 PM
>>If I were Judge Burnett or Pat Hays or any number of others who catch your insults on a regular basis, it would be damned difficult to not punch you in the jaw.<<Really>>Where a juror has outside contact with someone during the triall --- if it didn't have any impact on how he voted -- how was the defendant harmed.<<<That> Arnold "informed the attorney that he wanted to be selected as a juror" and that he "did not wish to answer any questions by the court or counsel that might reveal nformation or attitudes on his part that might lead to his being struck from the jury pool."
> While evidence was still being presented, Arnold "expressed to the attorney the opinion that most jurors were prepared to convict before the trial was over, but that a few jurors still had to be convinced."
> During one conversation, Arnold "told the attorney the evidence was to close the next day; that the prosecution had presented a weak case; and that the prosecution had better present something powerful the next day or it would be up to [him] to secure a conviction."
> Following the verdicts, when Judge Burnett asked the jurors if they could give him their assurances "that there has been no contacts from outside, the family, media, or anyone else, that would in any influence your findings," Arnold "falsely assured the court that he had not engaged in misconduct."
WHERE IS THERE ANY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE JUROR ? I'm sorry, I can't find that part. So, according to the WM3 wacky version of the law --- even though there was no attempt to influence this juror -- because the juror simply talked to this unknown lawyer --- Echols should get a new trial. WTF ? Why ? Because they are celebrities and if a juror in a celebrity case talks to anyone --- they think they didn't get a fair trial What is so unfair about a juror venting to a lawyer if that lawyer do not respond, does not answer questions, does not give his opinion, does not give legal advice --- all he did was listen to the juror - from what Echols own lawyers are claiming.
At the end of the case the Judge asked "And can you give the Court the assurance that you have lived up to the warning and admonition of the Court and your duty as jurors?" They all gave their assurance apparently. In an interview with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that was published on June 11, 2008, the same juror was quoted as saying that he may have called an attorney and "asked questions about procedures during the trial." But nowhere is it alleged that the attorney answered these questions. Now when the affidavit is revealed, we might get a different and more complete story.
Reading between the lines -- it looks like the juror did talk to this attorney; and this attorney has prepared an affidavit. I predict in this affidavit --- there will be no proof that he deliberately tried to influence the outcome of the trial. ( but we might be surprised, and that lawyer might lose his license if he admits such acts, and would deserve to )
Back to my theme, when is a trial over? When, after a trial and sentencing, someone claims that they had improper contact with a juror --- what should be done? Leveritt thinks we should give them a new trial. If that is true --- I know a quick way to stop every single execution in Arkansas -- just write a letter to the judge and falsely claim "I had improper discussions with the jury in (fill in the blank of each death row inmate) and I feel bad now so please give them a new trial." I bet you could find one juror on each death penalty case who regrets giving out that death penalty -- and to the degree that they would lie and say "yes, I was improperly contacted, and I'm sorry and now I don't think the death penalty was right." If they are smart, they will wait until the statute of limitations on perjury has passed so they can't be held accountable. A few white lies and bam, they get a new trial right? Death penalty problems solved.
Why stop at death penalty cases ? If we really want justice for all -- then anyone convicted should get a new trial in similar circumstances right? Why not ? No one will answer this I bet -- let's stick to the celebrity defendants, who cares about all those other guys.
This is not going to work to get Echols a new trial. Despite what you hicks think - a defendant is not entitled to a perfect trial. There can be errors - but some errors are harmless. Based on the allegations so far --- any error from the juror talking to the attorney was harmless, no matter how bad it might look.
Check out my photo: http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:QnV5kMoDJN_UOM:http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u37/larn18/redneck.jpg
Posted by: missarkansas | August 23, 2008 01:35 AM
Sounds like a perfect script for an expose' by Dateline etc. of absolute power corrupting absolutely. Shame on you Judge Burnett. Given recent facts and claims, there is clear evidence of the potential for justice denied. Therefore only harm can come to our system of justice by not reopening the case to answer these facts and claims in a TRANSPARENT manner once and for all as the notoriety of this case demands.
Posted by: downtowner | August 23, 2008 09:24 AM
Jurors are instructed not to discuss the case and the evidence with anyone during the trial. This juror did not abide by that instruction, and thus violated the law. Jurors are also instructed that defendants are presumed innocent until the State proves them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This juror, according to your post, came in to jury service with the idea already formed that Echols was guilty - before he ever heard any evidence presented by the State. According to your post, he expressed to the lawyer that he did not want his pre-formed opinion of guilt exposed because he wanted to be selected as a juror. So, he apparently made a conscious effort to conceal his pre-formed opinion of guilt. When a trial starts out this way, do you honestly believe a fair trial can result? It doesn't matter that the lawyer he spoke to did not influence him. What matters is that he was influenced by matters and made up his mind even before the trial started, and then he lied about it so that he could get onto the jury and make sure Echols got burned.
Any case in which something like this happens should result in a new trial. I don't care any more about Echols than I do any other defendant who has not received a fair trial. No trial is perfect, but I don't understand how anyone could think this one was fair under the circumstances.
By the way, there is nowhere close to 125 people on death row in Arkansas. There are currently 39: http://www.adc.arkansas.gov/deathrow.html
More to read here: http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2008/08/the_smoking_affidavit.aspx
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http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=41045221&blogID=427299730&MyToken=75271153-5d3b-42b9-9f02-9bcb641b4b56
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"Bratty Mama Leci"
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 11754
Location: Kentucky
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| Obscuregawdess
Posted:
Wed Sep 03, 2008 12:25 pm |
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WEST MEMPHIS 3 BENEFIT THIS SUNDAY @ INDIAN BARRYS
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
WM3 Benefits this week. Please go support these great shows
WEST MEMPHIS 3 BENEFIT THIS SUNDAY @ INDIAN BARRYS, Michigan
3pm-? $6
INDIAN BARRY"S
505 E. MIDLAND ST.
BAY CITY (989)891-2453
MUSIC~FIM~COMEDY~RAFFLES~FOOD~50/50
BORN
AFTER THE DUST
ROUND & A DISTANT FEW
A.W.O.S.
THE YULGITS
day starts with film/information/food....music 6ish?
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO WEST MEMPHIS 3 DEFENSE FUND
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Sept. 5th benefit for the WM3 - School of Rock help raise $$
Just want to leave a message reminding anyone in my area ( North NJ) that we are holding an event for the WM3 on SEPT. 5. At the school of rock in south hackensack NJ. Doors open at 6pm and the show ends at midnight.
15. oo at the door
performers include:
Michale Graves
The undead featuring Bobby Steel
Burbis
The laysan rail
Days of war
Hart attack
Raffles, door prizes, art work and a mystery raffle worth 250.
00!
100% of the proceeds go to the Damien Echols defense fund.
Anyone who supports the WM3 and is in the area, we would love to have you there showing your support! If anyone has any questions email me at NJ4WM3@aol.com
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=41045221&blogID=429856363
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"Bratty Mama Leci"
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 11754
Location: Kentucky
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| Obscuregawdess
Posted:
Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:28 pm |
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WM3 ruling - speak your mind at the link provided
WM3 ruling - speak your mind at the link provided
Big surprise. The activists working for a new trial for the West Memphis Three say Judge David Burnett in Jonesboro has denied a request for a new trial in Damien Echols' case and has declined to hold hearings on new DNA evidence dug up by the defense team (primarily an absence of DNA evidence implicating the three people convicted in the death, but DNA from others connected to the three dead children.)
Now it's on to federal court.
Please respond at this link: http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2008/09/wm3_ruling.aspx
You want Arkansas to hear your voices. We already believe they should be set FREE. Go to the Arkansas blog and tell them mindfully what you think.
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog&FriendID=41045221
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"Bratty Mama Leci"
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 11754
Location: Kentucky
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