exclusive The West Memphis 3 have been wrongfully convicted

Crucial new evidence of their innocence has been uncovered, including crime scene DNA that absolves the three young men and points to others. Some of the country's leading pathologists have found that much of the forensic evidence presented to the jury, which helped convict the young men, was false and not consistent with the cause of death or wounds found on the bodies. And recently, a sworn affidavit was presented to the court from a prominent former Arkansas prosecutor stating that, during the original Echols/Baldwin trial, the jury foreman repeatedly contacted the attorney informing him that he was introducing Jessie Misskelley's false confession during deliberations to persuade his fellow jurors to convict. Jessie's confession was barred from the trial as he had recanted and refused to testify against Damien and Jason. This structural defect in the proceedings should be sufficient cause to overturn their convictions. Three new eyewitnesses have also come forward and filed sworn affidavits with the court identifying Terry Hobbs as the last person to have custody of the three children immediately before their disappearance and murder.

The Arkansas Supreme Court is currently reviewing the new DNA and forensic evidence as well as the juror misconduct to determine whether to grant Damien Echols a new trial. Oral arguments will soon be scheduled.

Despite powerful new evidence presented in Judge David Burnett's Craighead County Circuit Court, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley were refused a new trial. Judge Burnett's behavior and decision were consistent with his actions over the 16 years he has thwarted the innocence efforts of the West Memphis 3.  Jason's and Jessie's bid for justice follows Damien Echols's to the Arkansas Supreme Court.