Two members of the West Memphis 3 will be released from an Arkansas prison after "admitting guilt" in the deaths of 3 Boy Scouts back in 1993 ... this according to local reports.

The WM3 -- comprised of Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley and Jason Baldwin -- were each sentenced to life in prison for the killings of Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers -- whose mutilated bodies were found in a wooded area in West Memphis, Arkansas in May 1993.

For years, Echols, Misskelley and Baldwin have claimed they were 100% innocent of any crime -- and their plight caught the attention of HUGE Hollywood stars like Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder ... who rallied for their release from prison.

There have been several documentaries made about the case ... most of which suggest the men may not have committed the murders.

But now, according to WREG-TV, two of the men -- one of whom is reported to be Echols -- have apparently changed their tune in exchange for their release from prison ... though it's unclear when the men will be released.

It's also unclear WHY the men would be released if they're confessing to such a heinous crime.

http://www.tmz.com/

The article I read this morning says they are not admitting guilt, quite the opposite. The plea allows them to profess their innocence but they can't sue the state for wrongful imprisonment. They basically get to say they are innocent while also saying that the prosecution had enough evidence to convict them. If you want my opinion, the prosecutors knew they'd be up the creek if they went to trial again, so they reached a plea deal.

Either way, it's about damn time. I never felt they were guilty, but I don't really feel they'll ever find who is.

The article I read this morning says they are not admitting guilt, quite the opposite. The plea allows them to profess their innocence but they can't sue the state for wrongful imprisonment. They basically get to say they are innocent while also saying that the prosecution had enough evidence to convict them. If you want my opinion, the prosecutors knew they'd be up the creek if they went to trial again, so they reached a plea deal.

Either way, it's about damn time. I never felt they were guilty, but I don't really feel they'll ever find who is.

Yeah, I never thought they were guilty either. This way the prosecution can save face and not have to admit they screwed these three guys.

'West Memphis Three' -- Convicted Of Killing Boy Scouts -- Free After Serving 17 Years In Prison
8/19/11


After serving 17 years behind bars for the brutal murder of three children in eastern Arkansas, Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley Jr. and Jason Baldwin -- dubbed the "West Memphis Three" -- have been released from prison.

"They are currently being processed out," prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington told reporters during a Friday press conference. "They will be free men ... on suspended sentence."

"Only time will tell as to whether this was the right decision," Ellington added.



All three men had been imprisoned since 1994, when they were convicted of killing three 8-year-old boys: Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers.

Prosecutors alleged the trio killed the children in Robin Hood Hills on the morning of May 6, 1993, as part of a satanic ritual. According to police, the boys' bodies were mutilated and left in a ditch. Each had been hogtied with his own shoelaces.

At the time of their arrests, Baldwin was 16. Misskelley was 17, and Echols was 18.

Echols was sentenced to death, Misskelley was sentenced to life imprisonment plus 40 years, and Baldwin was sentenced to life imprisonment.









DNA testing was not available at the time of the defendants' trials.

In 2007, it was found that DNA collected at the crime scene did not match that belonging to any of the three men. In November 2010, the state Supreme Court ruled that all three could present new evidence in court.

A new court date had been set for December, but on Thursday Judge David Laser ordered all three men transported to Jonesboro for today's surprise hearing.

In a brief statement released to the press, Laser only said that the hearing was to "take up certain matters pertaining to the cases" of the three defendants.









Experts believe both sides have entered into a complex legal agreement, in which the three men have entered into so-called Alford pleas.

"The plea means that you maintain your innocence but you believe there is a substantial likelihood that a jury will find you guilty so you are pleading guilty per State v. Alford," Anne Bremner, a Seattle attorney and legal analyst, told The Huffington Post.

"The effect of the corresponding finding of guilt by the court is the same as with a straight guilty plea."



Bremner added: "It seems that they want a plea so they can argue the accused are collaterally stopped from challenging their arrest and prosecution in any subsequent civil lawsuit. Probable cause will be established as a matter of law upon the court's acceptance of their Alford pleas."









When sharing his opinion on the pleas with reporters outside the courtroom this morning. John Mark Byers, the father of one of the children killed in 1993, said he believes Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley are innocent, adding that he is angry with the way the pleas are being handled.

"This is not right, and the people of Arkansas need to stand up and raise hell. ... Just because they admit to this today, it's not over," Byers said.

Since their incarceration, the trio has been the subject of three documentaries, one of which is scheduled to be released in November. The men have also had a long list of celebrity supporters, including the Dixie Chicks, Eddie Vedder, Johnny Depp and Metallica.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/19/west-memphis-three-free_n_931449.html?1313773729&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%7C87835#s333742&title=Craighead_County_Court

The State knew full well it would lose in a retrial so they made this offer to the defendants. Im glad they are out but its crap that the people who put them in prison and death row are walking away scott free. Judge Burnett, the entire prosecution team as well as Gary Gitchell and Bryn Ridge should be imprisononed for life over this. We cannot allow people in positions of power to railroad innocent people into our prison system for political gain. The men who caused these kids to be wrongfully convicted must pay for their crimes

The whole thing is a mess. They can't sue for damages due to the plea agreement. The state AG and prosecutor say they think they are guilty, but are letting them go and won't retry them. It is a terrible compromise no matter which side you are on.

I always thought the trial was a joke, but I wasn't sold on them being innocent either. I need to see the documentary again.

Good efforts by all those who fought for their freedom - lots of time and sweat helped free these three men.

I'm very glad these guys are finally out of jail. There's no way they committed those crimes. The ones that put them there should be held responsible now, but they will no doubt just sail on with their lives, despite nearly destroying three others' lives.

Rent the documentaries, they are shocking, riveting and eye opening. You'll never look at law enforcement or the court system the same way again.

Let me ask this- When in history has anyone convicted of murder, with the death penalty been let out unless it was proven they were innocent?? Especially when it will embarrass officials?
Never. Too many politicians, (Ridge, Burnett, Fogleman, etc), would be uncovered for fraud. And this is why the alford plea was dispensed. They are just hoping everything will die down and people will shhhhh.

Thing is Terry Hobbs, who was the step father of murdered Stevie Branch is who a good portion of the informed public believe killed the boys. The theory of Terry physically assaulting Stevie, then realizing the other boys had witnessed it prompted TH to kill them all to avoid prison for child assault. He would have been mincemeat in prison and he knows it. He had the means, motive and opportunity as I believe the assault of Stevie as well as the murders all took place in the isolated woods near where the bodies were found. Stevie was out late on his bike and step daddy lost control AGAIN, IMO. Stevie hated Terry with a passion and vice versa.
Terry Hobbs's DNA as well as his friend David Jacoby's were found at the dump site in the woods.
Terry's background is that of a highly disturbed child molester & abuser and murderer, (he killed an adult). Also he broke his wife's jaw and abused her for years. It's all online for anyone who cares to check it out.

If there is a new trial there is no doubt in my mind that the three men will be found not guilty. So-o-o much evidence points away from them & elsewhere. It's time for true justice in this case. And many folks are not Shhhh-ing.