Shortly after three eight-year-old boys were found mutilated and murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas, local newspapers stated the killers had been caught. The police assured the public that the three teenagers in custody were definitely responsible for these horrible crimes. Evidence?The same police officers coerced an error-filled “confession†from Jessie Misskelley Jr., who is mentally handicapped. They subjected him to 12 hours of questioning without counsel or parental consent, audio-taping only two fragments totaling 46 minutes. Jessie recanted it that evening, but it was too late— Misskelley, Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols were all arrested on June 3, 1993, and convicted of murder in early 1994.Although there was no physical evidence, murder weapon, motive, or connection to the victims, the prosecution pathetically resorted to presenting black hair and clothing, heavy metal t-shirts, and Stephen King novels as proof that the boys were sacrificed in a satanic cult ritual. Unfathomably, Echols was sentenced to death, Baldwin received life without parole, and Misskelley got life plus 40.For over 13 years, The West Memphis Three have been imprisoned for crimes they didn’t commit. Echols waits in solitary confinement for the lethal injection our tax dollars will pay for. They were all condemned by their poverty, incompetent defense, satanic panic and a rush to judgment.WRITE TO DAMIEN, JESSIE, JASON:
Write them a letter! Be sure to include the prison ID # and you may want to go read the rules for sending mail to the prisons: Important Writing Rules (in the blog)Damien Echols #SK931
Varner Unit
PO Box 400
Grady, AR 71644Jason Baldwin #103335
2501 State Farm Rd.
Tucker, AR, 72168.Jessie Misskelley, Jr. # 103072
P.O. Box 600
Grady, AR 71644-0600How are Damien, Jason and Jessie doing in prison? What do they do all day in their cells?A: They are doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances. Despite everything that has happened to them, they all know justice will prevail and they will eventually be freed. They truly appreciate all the support from people who have followed their case for so many years, as well as the ones who learn about it daily.Jason and Jessie were both serving their time at Varner Unit in Grady, AR, but in October 2005, Jason was moved to Tucker. They have day jobs just like the rest of us: Jason is working as a counselor and is learning how to make leather goods in his free time. He is an exemplary prisoner who even helps his fellow inmates in filing their legal appeals.Jessie is assigned various odd jobs from clean up crew to the hoe squad. He spends his free time reading wrestling and auto magazines, watching TV and writing to friends and family.In Summer 2003, Damien was transferred from a maximum security prison to a Supermax facility adjacent to Varner Unit. (For the first time, all three of them are in the same prison.) Though he has always been a model prisoner, he is now living in solitary confinement in a 9’ by 12’ solid-front cell. He spends his days reading, writing, painting and meditating, always looking forward to phone calls and weekly visits with his wife, Lorri. In November, 2004, Damien wrote a letter to supporters about his work being published in a literary arts magazine.
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Dear Friends and Supporters:
Heres sending many, many thanks to those of you reading this note. It means you are interested in this case, and thats what were trying to do, raise interest and awareness.
It also means you may be willing to donate to the defense, which would be a huge help to us. Were currently getting important work done in the fields of pathology, forensics and investigation, thanks to many of you, but we have a lot of work to do.
Damiens is the only case being reviewed in state and federal court at present, but donated funds are going to the efforts to appeal Jason and Jessies cases as well. All three cases benefit directly from the defense fund.
We are currently awaiting results from DNA testing, which is a lengthy process. Progress is being made, however, and defense funds will also help in completing that work.
Its amazing how much support we receive from around the world, and we are grateful. Not a day goes by that Damien and I arent touched by someones note of kindness, or the feeling that we arent alone in our fight for justice.
Thanks to all of you out there, for your letters, your generosity, your thoughts - your support. We wouldnt be where we are now without your help.Most sincerely,
Lorri DavisPlease make checks out to and mail to:
Damien Echols Defense Fund PO Box 1216 Little Rock, AR 72203