WestMemphis3 Question

THEBIBLEISTEN

I watched the interview on larry King last night and learned more about the case and everything but I still have alot of questions. Does anybody think its odd that one of the convicted guys actually confessed to the murders and gave details but wants it retracted because he has a low IQ? They never brought that up last night when Larry was interviewing the lawyer. Also, has any celebrities supported the victims familys with money or a concert? I just think its kinda odd that Johnny Depp goes up on stage and reads Mr. Echols writings with a fake english accent (hes american , right? ) and everyone applauds him and thinks hes so great. It sounded like the guy was reading for a part. These three guys were not saints and I think its kinda odd that 17 years later all this new evidence has shown up. I do applaud Eddies efforts but after watching last night, I have more questions than answers. What do others think?

Gern Blansten

Actually the evidence has been around for years. That documentary came out in 1996.

Is it unusual to get a confession? People with normal IQ's will break under interrogation. Misskelley had an IQ of 72 at the time of this conviction. He was 17-years-old with the mentality of a second-grader. The IQ to be considered mentally retarded is 75.

AmishGuy91

Yeah obviously the confession was a major part of the conviction, but if you study the case you'll find that most of the stuff in the confession CANNOT be true so that, along with the guy's low IQ, is why a lot of people have dismissed the confession.

pjsteelerfan

If I remember correctly, either in reading on their website or one of the documentaries, he was interorrgated for a long time, maybe 10-12 hours? But only 15-20 minutes of it were recorded and coincidentally enough, that is when the confession was. And none of it was with a lawyer, or family member, or social worker if he was a minor at the time. So no one knows what the police officers did to him to get that confession.

THEBIBLEISTEN

Intersting. I guess ill try and watch that paradise lost documentary.

pandora

THEBIBLEISTEN wrote:

I watched the interview on larry King last night and learned more about the case and everything but I still have alot of questions. Does anybody think its odd that one of the convicted guys actually confessed to the murders and gave details but wants it retracted because he has a low IQ? They never brought that up last night when Larry was interviewing the lawyer. Also, has any celebrities supported the victims familys with money or a concert? I just think its kinda odd that Johnny Depp goes up on stage and reads Mr. Echols writings with a fake english accent (hes american , right? ) and everyone applauds him and thinks hes so great. It sounded like the guy was reading for a part. These three guys were not saints and I think its kinda odd that 17 years later all this new evidence has shown up. I do applaud Eddies efforts but after watching last night, I have more questions than answers. What do others think?

Johnny lives in Europe and had been with a European girl for 12 years, must have picked it up, it suits him

Gern Blansten

THEBIBLEISTEN wrote:

Intersting. I guess ill try and watch that paradise lost documentary.

Definitely do that....it's amazing. Especially when you consider that now two of the victims parents believe the 3 are innocent or at least deserve a new trial.

Gern Blansten

http://www.members.tripod.com/~VanessaWest/wm3.html

Here's a decent summary....interesting that Miskelley's older brother is considered "severely retarded"

Jessie Misskelley, after his arrest.

At about 9:30 a.m. on June 3rd, acting on Vicki Huchteson's tip, police took Jessie in for questioning. Police told his father that they wanted to speak with Jessie about Damien Echols, and also told Jessie Sr. that Jessie would receive the reward money if he helped in the investigation. Jessie Jr., while only 17 years of age at the time, was allowed to be questioned despite the fact that under Arkansas law, he could only be questioned if his father consented in writing to a waiver of his Miranda rights. This did not happen.

After about two and a half hours of interrogation, police officers told Jessie they thought he was lying, and asked him to take a polygraph (lie detector) test. At noon, Jessie was asked ten questions in the polygraph test. They included questions about the murders, and a question asking if he did drugs. The test results showed that Jessie was deceptive on only one question - the drug question. (He later admitted to smoking marijuana.) Despite the results that would have normally cleared a suspect, Office Durham of the West Memphis police department told Jessie he was "lying his ass off." Jessie admitted lying about the drug question, but Durham contended that Jessie was lying about the murders, and told the boy he knew he was lying because Jessie's brain had "told him so."

the wolf

pjsteelerfan wrote:

If I remember correctly, either in reading on their website or one of the documentaries, he was interorrgated for a long time, maybe 10-12 hours? But only 15-20 minutes of it were recorded and coincidentally enough, that is when the confession was. And none of it was with a lawyer, or family member, or social worker if he was a minor at the time. So no one knows what the police officers did to him to get that confession.

ding ding ding. that right there to me blows the "confession" out of the water for me.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

the wolf wrote:

pjsteelerfan wrote:

If I remember correctly, either in reading on their website or one of the documentaries, he was interorrgated for a long time, maybe 10-12 hours? But only 15-20 minutes of it were recorded and coincidentally enough, that is when the confession was. And none of it was with a lawyer, or family member, or social worker if he was a minor at the time. So no one knows what the police officers did to him to get that confession.

ding ding ding. that right there to me blows the "confession" out of the water for me.

He confessed more than once...

And one time he confessed with his lawyer present........

ding ding ding....

hehehehe

U R A Crazy Breed

I guess the OP doesn't know how the pigs...err.....police operate....there are plenty of innocent people who have gone to jail for shit they didn't do...not that they are the majority...but it's not as rare as you'd like to think it is.


shit, if they had speedy mccready in a room long enough, they could get HIM to confess to the murders too!!!


and i think his IQ is more than 75! zing zing zing!

SPEEDY MCCREADY

U R A Crazy Breed wrote:

I guess the OP doesn't know how the pigs...err.....police operate....there are plenty of innocent people who have gone to jail for shit they didn't do...not that they are the majority...but it's not as rare as you'd like to think it is.


shit, if they had speedy mccready in a room long enough, they could get HIM to confess to the murders too!!!


and i think his IQ is more than 75! zing zing zing!

Well good morning to you too!!!!! ching ching ching!!!

Hugh Freaking Dillon

THEBIBLEISTEN wrote:

I watched the interview on larry King last night and learned more about the case and everything but I still have alot of questions. Does anybody think its odd that one of the convicted guys actually confessed to the murders and gave details but wants it retracted because he has a low IQ? They never brought that up last night when Larry was interviewing the lawyer. Also, has any celebrities supported the victims familys with money or a concert? I just think its kinda odd that Johnny Depp goes up on stage and reads Mr. Echols writings with a fake english accent (hes american , right? ) and everyone applauds him and thinks hes so great. It sounded like the guy was reading for a part. These three guys were not saints and I think its kinda odd that 17 years later all this new evidence has shown up. I do applaud Eddies efforts but after watching last night, I have more questions than answers. What do others think?

do what Eddie has been driving hard, including last night: educate yourself on the case. I knew basically nothing about it, until watching last night, and I want to learn more.

Eddie made a comment last night about the victims, and he said it's difficult to be sensitive to the victims' families while trying to get these guys out of jail, but you can't just not help them because it might hurt someone's feelings. Three young boys died, and we can't lose sight of it. Part of getting these guys out isn't just setting them free, it's also reopening the case so the right person is found and justice is served.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

and I didn't think Johnny was talking in a fake English accent. I thought that's just how he talks. People applaud celebrities, especially when involved in a cause they are passionate about. It's human nature.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Paul David wrote:

THEBIBLEISTEN wrote:

I watched the interview on larry King last night and learned more about the case and everything but I still have alot of questions. Does anybody think its odd that one of the convicted guys actually confessed to the murders and gave details but wants it retracted because he has a low IQ? They never brought that up last night when Larry was interviewing the lawyer. Also, has any celebrities supported the victims familys with money or a concert? I just think its kinda odd that Johnny Depp goes up on stage and reads Mr. Echols writings with a fake english accent (hes american , right? ) and everyone applauds him and thinks hes so great. It sounded like the guy was reading for a part. These three guys were not saints and I think its kinda odd that 17 years later all this new evidence has shown up. I do applaud Eddies efforts but after watching last night, I have more questions than answers. What do others think?

do what Eddie has been driving hard, including last night: educate yourself on the case. I knew basically nothing about it, until watching last night, and I want to learn more.

Eddie made a comment last night about the victims, and he said it's difficult to be sensitive to the victims' families while trying to get these guys out of jail, but you can't just not help them because it might hurt someone's feelings. Three young boys died, and we can't lose sight of it. Part of getting these guys out isn't just setting them free, it's also reopening the case so the right person is found and justice is served.

I did not watch last night....But tell me if this is true....



When asked by Larry King...."Have you ever contacted the parents of the murdered children"???


Ed replied...."No"

Is this true???

dimitrispearljam

better 100 guilty guys out of prison than put one innocent inside...

guitar59

do what Eddie has been driving hard, including last night: educate yourself on the case. I knew basically nothing about it, until watching last night, and I want to learn more.

Eddie made a comment last night about the victims, and he said it's difficult to be sensitive to the victims' families while trying to get these guys out of jail, but you can't just not help them because it might hurt someone's feelings. Three young boys died, and we can't lose sight of it. Part of getting these guys out isn't just setting them free, it's also reopening the case so the right person is found and justice is served.

Well said!

I did not watch last night....But tell me if this is true....

When asked by Larry King...."Have you ever contacted the parents of the murdered children"???


Ed replied...."No"

Is this true???

That's what he said...but Natalie had not either. Even Echols wife had only spoken to one, I think. it is probable that the victims families do not want to be involved.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Not ONCE has Eddie Vedder contacted or spoken to any of the victims families???

I find that strange....

ARazorbackguy1

guitar59 wrote:

do what Eddie has been driving hard, including last night: educate yourself on the case. I knew basically nothing about it, until watching last night, and I want to learn more.

Eddie made a comment last night about the victims, and he said it's difficult to be sensitive to the victims' families while trying to get these guys out of jail, but you can't just not help them because it might hurt someone's feelings. Three young boys died, and we can't lose sight of it. Part of getting these guys out isn't just setting them free, it's also reopening the case so the right person is found and justice is served.

Well said!

I did not watch last night....But tell me if this is true....

When asked by Larry King...."Have you ever contacted the parents of the murdered children"???


Ed replied...."No"

Is this true???

That's what he said...but Natalie had not either. Even Echols wife had only spoken to one, I think. it is probable that the victims families do not want to be involved.

Bazinga!

Hugh Freaking Dillon

why the hell would he? do you think the call would be welcome? he probably wouldn't want to cause them any more pain than they already have experienced.

imagine someone you loved being murdered. imagine the alleged killers being sent to prison. imagine a celebrity trying to get convicted killers out of jail. imagine that celebrity calling you to discuss.

would you welcome that call? I wouldn't. I'd call it a slap in the face.

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

Not ONCE has Eddie Vedder contacted or spoken to any of the victims families???

I find that strange....

marcos

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

Not ONCE has Eddie Vedder contacted or spoken to any of the victims families???

I find that strange....

I don't think they want to speak to him and it would not help anything in the long run. It's almost like he's a defense attorney but I am certain he would speak to them if they approached him. It would just be out of place at this time and I'm glad he doesn't try to push himself through his celebrity on them. He is being professional about it which is to be commended.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Paul David wrote:

why the hell would he? do you think the call would be welcome? he probably wouldn't want to cause them any more pain than they already have experienced.

imagine someone you loved being murdered. imagine the alleged killers being sent to prison. imagine a celebrity trying to get convicted killers out of jail. imagine that celebrity calling you to discuss.

would you welcome that call? I wouldn't. I'd call it a slap in the face.

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

Not ONCE has Eddie Vedder contacted or spoken to any of the victims families???

I find that strange....

Why would Eddie Vedder contact the families???

Who are the victims here???
The convicted murderers or the 3 little boys?

AmishGuy91

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

Who are the victims here???
The convicted murderers or the 3 little boys?

Both.

dimitrispearljam

i dont know if those three are guilty,but ed,or who ever support the guys on jail and believe that their innocent MUST contact the 3 boys family was murdered ..is the normal to do it,and try to prove them that they try to lock down the real bad guys in jail..the ones they believe that kill their childrens

Gern Blansten

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

Paul David wrote:

why the hell would he? do you think the call would be welcome? he probably wouldn't want to cause them any more pain than they already have experienced.

imagine someone you loved being murdered. imagine the alleged killers being sent to prison. imagine a celebrity trying to get convicted killers out of jail. imagine that celebrity calling you to discuss.

would you welcome that call? I wouldn't. I'd call it a slap in the face.

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

Not ONCE has Eddie Vedder contacted or spoken to any of the victims families???

I find that strange....

Why would Eddie Vedder contact the families???

Who are the victims here???
The convicted murderers or the 3 little boys?

You are arguing like someone who hasn't reviewed the reasoning behind why so many people feel the wrong people were convicted.

Educate yourself please.

mrpink90

2 girls also testified that they heard echols admit to the killings at a softball game shortly after the murders, which echols recently admitted that he might have done and chalked it up to being a dumb teenager. Does that make any sense?

Also a kid jason baldwin spent time in jail with testified that baldwin told him he did the crime.

So all 3 supposedly admitted to the killings (well 1 obviously definitely did, misskelley), whether you believe those people that testifed against echols and baldwin is another story. But the jury obviously believed it.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Gern Blansten wrote:

You are arguing like someone who hasn't reviewed the reasoning behind why so many people feel the wrong people were convicted.

Educate yourself please.

I GUARANTEE you, I have read more material on Damien Echols and The west Memphis, than you or 99% of the people on this board....

Hugh Freaking Dillon

whether they are guilty or innocent is irrelevant to your question anyway, Speedy. of course the original victims are the boys and their families. but what purpose would it serve for Ed to contact the families of the boys? to try to explain himself and why he believes the WM3 are innocent? to apologize to them? what?

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

Gern Blansten wrote:

You are arguing like someone who hasn't reviewed the reasoning behind why so many people feel the wrong people were convicted.

Educate yourself please.

I GUARANTEE you, I have read more material on Damien Echols and The west Memphis, than you or 99% of the people on this board....

Hugh Freaking Dillon

the thing I don't get, from what was stated on the show last night (I still admit I know very little of this case, so go easy on me), is that Ed believes 100% that the evidence they now have exonerates the WM3. But the only thing they mentioned was that they found no DNA of any of the WM3. That doesn't, to me anyway, prove their innocence, it just doesn't prove their guilt. Big difference. Am I wrong?

Ed never fully stated whether he believes the conviction needs to be thrown out/reversed or overturned and new trial ordered. Does he think they should get a new trial, or their outright innocence declared?

left the porch

I would bet that the victims families, two of which now believe the WM3, just want the real killer(s) brought to justice. And if that isn't Jessie, Damien and Jason then they should be set free. I'm sure that Ed, Natalie and Johnny would be more than willing to help the families if they were behind bars and facing the death penalty.

The one kid's dad wears a Free the WM3 t-shirt for fuck sakes!

And I'm sure that they have done their research and wouldn't put their reputations on the line for something they didn't truly believe. I think Ed seems like a pretty good judge of character. Except for his friendship with that asshole Chris Chelios. Can't figure that one out.

Should the WM3 get a new trial? Dosen't everyone involved deserve to know the truth? Have innocent people ever gone to jail because of poor police investigations or crooked lawyers? Have confessions ever been co-erced from people with a lot higher IQ than Jessie? Should DNA evidence that wasn't available at the time of the original trial be observed now?

YES to all of the above!

Here's what needs to happen; a new trial outside of Arkansas with an impartial jury and judge. Both sides put their cards on the table and let's see what comes out of it. Until that happens nobody wins and justice remains unserved.

All I know is that if my kid was murdered I would want who did it to pay the highest price possible. And that would mean that without a shadow of a doubt the real killer was the one behind bars facing the death penalty. If he is still out there then the victims families did not receive justice at all, they are just being lied to like the rest of us.

fox_mulderX

THEBIBLEISTEN wrote:

Intersting. I guess ill try and watch that paradise lost documentary.

very interesting documentary. there's a sequel to it which is a little more recent.