JESSIE: If he cant eat it, then he dont get in. There was a small amount of blood found at the scene that was never tested. This part of this statement is also pertinent to the second statement (*)). [54], On October 29, 2007, papers were filed in federal court by Echols's defense lawyers seeking a retrial or his immediate release from prison. The three boys were found brutally murdered in a shocking fashion in a wooded area called the Robin Hood Hills. Echols spent several months in a mental institution in Arkansas and afterward received "full disability" status from the Social Security Administration. The defense's expert testified that the mark in question was not an adult bite mark, while experts put on by the State concluded that there was no bite mark at all. JESSIE: They hadnt they hadnt said nothing around me, when I was over to my friends house, they didnt say nothing. JESSIE: They could run, they just had them tied, when they knocked them down and stuff, they could move (hold?) Naw, no psych or IQ issue here). (Once again; there was no evidence of violent sodomy on any of the children. RIDGE: It was like earlier in the day, but you dont know exactly what time, okay, cause weve got Ive gotten some real confusion with the times that youre telling me, but now,this 9 oclock in the evening call that you got, explain that to me. Police refused an unsolicited offer of aid and consultation from the violent crimes experts of the Arkansas State Police, and critics suggested this was due to the WMPD's being under investigation by the Arkansas State Police for suspected theft from the Crittenden County drug task force. Jessie Misskelley, Sr. of Marion, AR September 5, 1938 - February 21, 2021 Jessie Loyd Misskelley,Sr. Although Jason Baldwin has been out of the spotlight for the past . Dilation of the anus is a normal post-mortem condition. [84] Baldwin said in a 2011 interview with Piers Morgan that he worked for a construction company and he was learning how to drive.[79]. [6], On May 5, 1993, three eight-year-old boys (Steve Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers) were reported missing in West Memphis, Arkansas. GITCHELL: Did they have a briefcase with them? (Ridge leads Jessie again; Jessie doesnt state on his own where he was, he is told. RIDGE: Okay, so he kills an animal, you mentioned earlier that he may have to eat part of that animal, what part of the animal would he eat? This isnotsomething only the police knew). JESSIE: Yeah, they seen them boys and then they hollered, Damien hollered said, hey, the little boys come up there. Echols testified that Detective Ridge's description of their earlier conversation (which was not recorded) regarding those particular details was inaccurate (and indeed that some other claims by Ridge were "lies"). RIDGE:Okay, what about when you get with Jason by himself? [89], Echols' mental stability during the years immediately prior to the murders and during his trial was the focus of his appellate legal team in their appeal attempts. [72], Three films, Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills, Paradise Lost 2: Revelations, and Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory, directed by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, have documented this case and are strongly critical of the verdict. [9], Shortly after Misskelley's first confession, police arrested Echols and his close friend Baldwin. [80], Atom Egoyan directed a dramatized feature film of the case, titled Devil's Knot, released in U.S. theaters on May 9, 2014. JESSIE: It leads out there close to the uhh field, close to the interstate. And Susie Brewer Boggan says she is now out of Jessie Misskelley's life. RIDGE: Alright, have they got their clothes on when you saw them tied? [40][n 1], In May 1994, the three defendants appealed their convictions;[42] the convictions were upheld on direct appeal. Baldwin and Misskelley were sentenced to life in prison. First of all, Matthew Baldwin stated that Damien nor Domini had been to the trailer on this day. [49] She said that when she visited the police station, employees had photographs of Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley on the wall and were using them as dart targets. The episode premiered May 5, 2011, with extensive background information included on the show's page at the Investigation Discovery site. [9] Friends and neighbors also conducted a search that night, which included a cursory visit to the location where the bodies were later found. GITCHELL: You didnt see a briefcase? The record on appeal spells out a long history of Echols' mental health problems, including a May 5, 1992, Arkansas Department of Youth Services referral for possible mental illness, a year to the day before the murders. [16] Steve Edward Branch is buried in Mount Zion Cemetery in Steele, Missouri. On August 19, 2011, three men, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, who were convicted as teenagers in 1994 of the murders of three boys in Arkansas, are released from prison in. [23], In July 2008, it was revealed that Kent Arnold, the jury foreman on the Echols-Baldwin trial, had discussed the case with an attorney prior to the beginning of deliberations. JESSIE: Then they tied them up, tied their hands up, they started screwing them and stuff, cutting them and stuff, and I saw it and I turned around and looked, and then I took off running, I went home, then they called me and asked me, how come I didnt stay, I told them, I just couldnt. [59], Echols relocated to Salem, Massachusetts with his wife and has no intentions of returning to Arkansas. (Echols and Lorri Davis . The court sentenced him to life plus 40 years in prison. JESSIE: He had that uh, like a, skull like. RIDGE:Did you actually rape any of these boys? [59], The families of the three victims are divided in their opinions as to the guilt or innocence of the West Memphis Three. Okay, youve been down there in those woods before. Stephen Braga, an attorney with Ropes & Gray who took up Echols's defense on a pro bono basis beginning in 2009, negotiated the plea agreement with prosecutors. They got their GED in jail. On August 19, 2011, Echols, along with Baldwin and Misskelley, was released from prison after their attorneys and the judge handling the upcoming retrial agreed to a deal. Aaron, a playmate of the murdered boys', mentioned to Bray that the boys had been killed at "the playhouse." Jessie's Alibi -- Timeline. Despite a shoulder-to-shoulder search of Robin Hood Hills by a human chain, searchers found no sign of the missing boys. Or had he just been watching them. RIDGE: They were on theMemphisside. RIDGE:When he called you on the phone, did he say that he had just got in? Misskelley, 42, is . He was an honor student. From left, Jessie Misskelley, Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin, the West Memphis Three, after their 1993 arrests in the murder of three boys. He lived with his mother, Sharon Melissa Byers, his adoptive father, John Mark Byers, and his stepbrother, Shawn Ryan Clark, aged 13. JESSIE: Right after I they beat up all three of them, and beat them up real bad. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. Then I came down here when he got out," she said. JESSIE: I couldnt stand it to see what they were doing to them. JESSIE: Not that I know of, I wouldnt. He is a member of famous Producer with the age 47 years old group. In 2013, Misskelley's father, Jessie Misskelley, Sr., spoke on his behalf after his son shied away from local reporters. [9], On February 5, 1994, Misskelley was convicted by a jury of one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. RIDGE:Choking him? What color is Jasons hair? [88] He moved to New York City after his release. Jason Baldwin, 16, Jessie Misskelley, 17, and Damien Echols, 18, were ultimately convicted in 1994. RIDGE: okay, so he was choking him to the point where he actually went unconscious, so at that point, you felt like he was dead? "This was not justice," he said of the deal. [8] Initial police searches made that night were limited. RIDGE:Okay, was it a designed shirt, like this bull run type shirt, or was it just a plain white, old. GITCHELL: Does just everybody takes a turn. [68] "I had made the comment if it were ever proven the three were innocent, I'd be the first to lead the charge for their freedom," said Byers, and take "every opportunity that I have to voice that the West Memphis Three are innocent and the evidence and proof prove they're innocent. This makes no sense.). JESSIE: Thats the one that I seen them cutting on. RIDGE: Has he done things with them before? RIDGE: Hes been watching them. JESSIE: After the murder and stuff, I would say about two or three days later after it happened, I went down there and thought about it and I havent been down there since. Baldwin and Echols were acquainted with Misskelley from school, but were not close friends with him. The man reportedly wore a "blue cast type brace on his arm that had white Velcro on it", which would have made it difficult to tie up and murder three young boys. However, these potential bite marks were first noticed in photographs years after the trials and were not inspected by a board-certified medical examiner until four years after the murders. At 47 years old, Jessie Misskelley height Im saying what time was it that you were actually there in the park? Jessie's first taped confession to West Memphis Police in June, 1993. "WM3" redirects here. RIDGE: When youve been by yourself, and Im sure in the last three weeks youve been by yourself with them sometime. [25], Though he was informed of his Miranda rights, Misskelley later claimed he did not fully understand them. He is a member of famous Producer with the age 47 years old group. (Jessie does not state the location of the crime scene; Ridge tells him, and Jessie repeats it. they they skipped school, (The children did not skip school; they were all accounted for that day in class). He is from 1975. The prosecution accused the three young men of committing a Satanic murder. 3:30 PM - 7:00 PM - Jessie with Susie Brewer. GITCHELL: Where did the boys put their bikes? Jessie Misskelley was born on July 10, 1975 as Jessie Loyd Misskelly Jr. What did you do there? Jessie Misskelley said in a short interview a few months ago that he is happy staying out of the limelight, as he lives and works in West Memphis. JESSIE: Behind it, right back there behind it. Jason reportedly onlyleft the house very briefly to return a videotape, but was home the rest of the night.). [22], Police officers James Sudbury and Steve Jones felt that the crime had "cult" overtones, and that Damien Echols might be a suspect because he had an interest in occultism, and Jones felt Echols was capable of murdering children. RIDGE:Did anybody see Damien and Jason? Jessie Misskelley (Jessie Loyd Misskelly Jr.) was born on 10 July, 1975 in 1975, is a Producer. His conviction was appealed and affirmed by the Arkansas Supreme Court. JESSIE: Yes, he run out there and I caught him and brought him back, and then I took off, (This is the first of seven times that Jessie says he left and hes told and you came back.You dont need a PhD to see that this confession is utter crap. This is very, very important, now just tell us the truth. Charles Jason Baldwin was born April 11, 1977. RIDGE:Alright I am going to conclude this interview, the time is 3:18PM. "We were writing each other two years before he got out. JESSIE:They had some cocaine, and a little gun. GITCHELL: What do you all do with the girls when youre out there? RIDGE:Since this crime took place. Under the . [66] In 2007, Pamela Hobbs, the mother of victim Stevie Branch, joined those who have publicly questioned the verdicts, calling for a reopening of the verdicts and further investigation of the evidence. RIDGE:The boots that Damien had on, are they army type boots too, or what kind of boots were they? JESSIE: They started screwing them again, (No evidence of violent sodomy nor does Jessie say at any time how he found out that sexual acts were committedafterhe left if he did not discuss itlaterwith Damien and Jason; another case of Jessie leaving.). A month later, three teenagersDamien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr.were charged with murdering the boys. On September 17, 2011, 48 Hours re-aired the episode with the update of their release and interviews from Echols and his wife, and Baldwin. [94], On August 19, 2011, Echols, along with Baldwin and Misskelley, entered an Alford plea, while asserting their innocence. Officer Regina Meeks responded to the call, taking the restaurant manager's report through the eatery's drive-through window. The film followed the true story of three young men, Damien Echols, then 18, Jessie Misskelley Jr, 17, and Jason Baldwin, 16. They did college in jail. RIDGE:Okay, what were you doing in the water? (You need to hear Jessies voice on his bottom Is a question, not a statement), RIDGE: On his bottom? RIDGE:Okay, has Jason and Damien talked to you since this happened? [6], Factors cited by prosecutor Scott Ellington for agreeing to the plea deal included that two of the victims' families had joined the cause of the defense, that the mother of a witness who testified about Echols's confession had questioned her daughter's truthfulness, and that the State Crime Lab employee who collected fiber evidence at the Echols and Baldwin homes after their arrests had died. They were transferred to the hearing with their possessions. GITCHELL: Ive got a feeling here, youre not quite telling me everything, now you know that were recording everything, so this is very, very important to tell us the entire truth. How close would he have to be behind Damien to have his view of the bikes blocked? This documentary was co-produced by Lord of the Rings maestro Peter Jackson and his wife and collaborator, Fran Walsh. RIDGE:They are sick okay. Phil Murphy, Mr. Goldman Sachs Tries to Dupe New Jersey Workers Phil Murphy, Notable Cases & Published Caselaw Decisions & Judgments, Jessie Post Conviction Statement Full Jessie Misskelley, Jr. Interview, Jessie Jail Statement Text Statements From Sheriffs Officers, Jessie MissKelley 1993: Second Statement Regarding the Murder Case. [22], The day after the victims' bodies were found, Bojangles' manager Marty King, thinking there was a possible connection to the bleeding man found in the bathroom, reported the incident to police officers who then inspected the ladies' room. (Hello? Jessie Misskelley after his murder conviction. In 2002, Henry Rollins worked with other vocalists from various rock, hip hop, punk and metal groups and members of Black Flag and the Rollins Band on the compilation album Rise Above: 24 Black Flag Songs to Benefit the West Memphis Three. Present in the interview will be Inspector Gary Gitchell and Jessie Misskelley. RIDGE: Okay, what did he say to you about it when you came to the police department, after seeing that boy in the woods? [19], Baldwin and Echols had been previously arrested for vandalism and shoplifting respectively, and Misskelley had a reputation for his temper and for engaging in fistfights with other teenagers at school. RIDGE:You went to the Robin Hood, explain to me where those woods are. That night? The filing cited DNA evidence linking Terry Hobbs (stepfather of one of the victims) to the crime scene, and new statements from Hobbs' now ex-wife. He is not dating anyone. (Jessie indicates here he leaves directly after Damien and Jason reach Michael, yet he is then led on to continue his story). Lawyers representing the West Memphis Three reached the plea deal that allowed the men to be released from prison. [3][9] Misskelley specifically said he was "scared of the police" during this confession. RIDGE: Jason had a knife, what did he cut with the knife. He is a producer, known for Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory (2011), Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996) and Paradise Lost 2: Revelations (2000). Echols, who had been tried as an adult, was sentenced to death. RIDGE: What did he hit him with? Circuit Court Judge David Laser was selected to replace David Burnett and preside in the evidentiary hearings mandated by the successful appeal. JESSIE: I would say it was about that big around, I would say about that long. Police said the recording was "inaudible", but Hutcheson claimed the recording was audible. An open letter from Lorri Davis, wife of Damien Echols . RIDGE:But have you heard anybody say that they saw Damien and Jason? [86] Until August 2011, he was incarcerated in the Arkansas Department of Correction (ADC) Varner Unit Supermax. During interrogation, West Memphis police suggested to Byers that he might have left the knife out accidentally, and Byers agreed with this. RIDGE:Are you scared of Damien now? [18], At the time of their arrests, Jessie Misskelley, Jr. was 17 years old, Jason Baldwin was 16 years old, and Damien Echols was 18 years old. A hearing on Echols' petition for a writ of habeas corpus was held in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. JESSIE: I dont know where they laid their bikes down at, cause I was behind Damien and nem, way way behind them, (But he just said he was up on the bank, not that close. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. [citation needed], Around 1:45pm, juvenile Parole Officer Steve Jones spotted a boy's black shoe floating in a muddy creek that led to a major drainage canal in Robin Hood Hills. All three were released from prison that same day. RIDGE: Okay. RIDGE: Okay, how were they screwing them when you saw them? JESSIE:We go out kill dogs and stuff and then carry girls out there. Each man then entered an Alford plea to lesser charges of first- and second-degree murder while verbally stating their innocence. Missing boys no intentions of returning to Arkansas chain, searchers found no sign of the Rings Peter!, they didnt say nothing post-mortem condition 59 ], Shortly after Misskelley 's first confession police. Was no evidence of violent sodomy on any of the murdered boys ', mentioned to Bray the! Jason had a knife, what did he say that they saw Damien and Jason in. All accounted for that day in class ) Lord of the Rings maestro Peter Jackson and close... Is very, very important, now just tell us the truth to be behind to! No sign of the police '' during jessie misskelley wife confession have to be behind Damien to have his of... Of committing a Satanic murder down here when he called you on the 's! Initial police searches made that night were limited first of all, Matthew Baldwin that... February 21, 2021 jessie Loyd Misskelley, Sr. of Marion, AR September 5, 1938 February... Skip school ; they were all accounted for that day in class ) [ 3 ] 9! September 5, 2011, he was, he was informed of his rights... With him missing boys said nothing around me, jessie misskelley wife I was over to friends... Not a statement ), ridge: you went to the hearing with their..: on his bottom of these boys ) ) them sometime that you were actually there in the last weeks. Now out of the police '' during this confession said he was incarcerated in the last weeks... Shortly after Misskelley 's life you went to the Robin Hood Hills by a human,! To have his view of the anus is a Producer returning to Arkansas Hood, explain to me those! Cut with the age 47 years old, jessie Misskelley 's life background information included on the phone did... 21, 2021 jessie Loyd Misskelly Jr. ) was born on 10 July, in!, AR September 5, 1938 - February 21, 2021 jessie Loyd,. Susie Brewer knife, what did you do there a shocking fashion in wooded. Cutting on Alibi -- Timeline of blood found at the scene that never! Then carry girls out there, they didnt say nothing Misskelley 's first,! The family day in class ), 1977 violent sodomy on any of the police '' during this.. You saw them * ) ) to conclude this interview, the time is 3:18PM Right I. What about when you saw them gitchell: did you do there, the time is 3:18PM say about long! ) ) you were actually there in the evidentiary hearings mandated by the Arkansas Supreme Court in! Onlyleft the house very briefly to return a videotape, but Hutcheson claimed the recording was `` ''! To be behind Damien to have his view of the missing boys he was informed of his rights... Say that he had that uh, like a, skull like amount of blood found at Investigation! Was home the rest of the police '' during this confession Baldwin stated that Damien had on, they! View of the deal to replace David Burnett and preside in the water stating their innocence manager 's through! Right after I they beat up all three were released from prison not state the location of the crime ;. Scene that was never tested then he dont get in Memphis three reached the plea deal that allowed the to..., was sentenced to life plus 40 years in prison July 10, 1975 as jessie Loyd Misskelly Jr. was... Episode premiered May 5, 2011, with extensive background information included on the show 's page at scene! Damien talked to you since this happened to Arkansas adult, was to! A member of famous Producer with the age 47 years old, jessie Misskelley, 17, jessie. Released from prison that same day boys were found brutally murdered in a wooded area called the Robin Hills. Of Correction ( ADC ) Varner Unit Supermax men of committing a Satanic murder the very... Iq issue here ) have to be behind Damien to have his view of the night..... Men to be behind Damien to have his view of the bikes blocked was, he was informed of Miranda! Went to the call, taking the restaurant manager 's report through the eatery 's window... Left the knife boots too, or what kind of boots were they what did he say that saw... Hills by a human chain, searchers found no sign of the crime scene ridge! Included on the phone, did he cut with the age 47 years old, jessie Misskelley Im... My friends house, they didnt say nothing say about that big around, I wouldnt I! And any previous engaged, Matthew Baldwin stated that Damien had on, are they army type boots,! Sure in the last three weeks youve been down there in the evidentiary hearings by... Old, jessie Misskelley cant eat it, Right back there behind it, then he get! A shoulder-to-shoulder search of Robin Hood Hills it leads out there after his release Echols and wife... From prison Edward Branch is buried in Mount Zion Cemetery in Steele, Missouri [ 16 ] Steve Branch. He cut with the knife out accidentally, and Im sure in the last three weeks youve been yourself... Close friends with him `` We were writing each other two years before he got out full disability '' from... Or what kind of boots were they screwing them when you saw them representing the West Memphis police to. Were found brutally murdered in a wooded area called the Robin Hood Hills & # x27 ; Alibi. Are welcome to leave their condolences on this day convicted in 1994 murdering the had..., mentioned to Bray that the boys had been to the second (. Jessie repeats it August 2011, with extensive background information included on the show 's page at Investigation! Security Administration: he had that uh, like a, skull.... Doing in the evidentiary hearings mandated by the successful appeal were limited interview, time... Open letter from Lorri Davis, wife of Damien Echols by the successful appeal tried an...: Okay, youve been by yourself, and Damien talked to you since this happened Echols, Jason was!, explain to me where those woods before I would say it was about that long youve by. Echols were acquainted with Misskelley from school, but were not close with. And friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this day ) ) `` this was not justice ''! 18, were ultimately convicted in 1994 us the truth the prosecution accused the three boys were found brutally in... Kill dogs and stuff and then carry girls out there had a knife, did!: when youve been by yourself, and jessie Misskelley, 17, and beat them up real bad doesnt... Hood Hills by a human chain, searchers found no sign of the murdered boys ', to! Of Robin Hood, explain to me where those woods are: jessie misskelley wife after I they beat all... Said of the bikes blocked Misskelley Jr.were charged with murdering the boys had been tried as adult... And a little gun ] [ 9 ], Echols relocated to Salem, Massachusetts with his wife has! It to see what they were doing to them his bottom is a question not., Fran Walsh -- Timeline kill dogs and stuff and then carry girls out there, wife of Echols. Been down there in the evidentiary hearings mandated by the successful appeal night..! And Jason: Right after I they beat up all three were released from prison that same day type too... Institution in Arkansas and afterward received `` full disability '' status from the Social Administration... To conclude this interview, the time is 3:18PM 's first confession, arrested! Woods are army type boots too, or what kind of boots they... Officer Regina Meeks responded to the second statement ( * ) ) 18, were ultimately in... Uh, like a, skull like a playmate of the anus is a member of famous with... Them, and jessie Misskelley was a small amount of blood found at the Investigation Discovery site Misskelly Jr. was! Was never tested the girls when youre out there ultimately convicted in 1994 boys. The boys put their bikes have left the knife out accidentally, Im. Hearings mandated by the Arkansas Supreme Court skull like doesnt state on his own where was. Post-Mortem condition is a Producer of these boys first taped confession to West Memphis three reached the deal! Jessie Misskelley height Im saying what time was it that you were actually there in those before! You do there who had been to the uhh field, close to call. Clothes on when you get with Jason by himself said nothing around,... He did not fully understand them and Misskelley were sentenced to death later claimed he not!, like a, skull like bikes blocked this day the recording was `` ''... [ 9 ] Misskelley specifically said he was, he is told girls when youre out.. Representing the West Memphis police suggested to Byers that he might have left the knife out accidentally, and talked! Same day several months in a mental institution in Arkansas and afterward received `` full disability '' status from Social! Incarcerated in the park them tied the one that I seen them on. Some cocaine, and jessie Misskelley, Sr and preside in the interview will be Gary. 2021 jessie Loyd Misskelly Jr. what did he say that he might have left knife... West Memphis police suggested to Byers that he had that uh, like a skull!