WEST MEMPHIS THREE

"West Memphis Three" refers to three men who were tried and convicted in 1994 of the 1993 murders of three boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. During the trial, the prosecution put forth the idea that the only purported motive in the case was that the slayings were part of a Satanic ritual.^[1][2][3] Damien Echols was sentenced to death, Jessie Misskelley, Jr. was sentenced to life imprisonment plus two 20-year sentences, and Jason Baldwin was sentenced to life imprisonment.
In July 2007, new forensic evidence was presented in the case, including evidence that none of the DNA collected at the crime scene matched the defendants, but did match Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of one of the victims, as well as a friend of Hobbs' whom he had been with on the day of the murders. The status report jointly issued by the State and the Defense team on July 17, 2007 states, "Although most of the genetic material recovered from the scene was attributable to the victims of the offenses, some of it cannot be attributed to either the victims or the defendants." On October 29, 2007, the defense filed a Second Amended Writ of Habeas Corpus, outlining the new evidence.^[4]
After a series of appeals regarding the DNA evidence, including an argument before the Arkansas Supreme Court in 2010, the West Memphis Three reached a deal in which they pled "no contest" to the charges and were released with a ten year suspended sentence, having served 18 years and 78 days in prison.  Source Wilkepedia. 

This is undoubtedly one of the worst cases of injustice I have ever encountered.  Had it not been for the fact that Damien Echols was sentenced to death, the plea bargain would not have been accepted.  The ONLY  reason it was accepted was to save the life of Echols - not an admission of guilt.  An appeal would have been forthcoming in time, and the sentences overturned, due to lack of physical evidence connecting any of the three boys to the crime - by offering a plea bargain, the Justice Department undoubtedly saved themselves the humiliation of being proved wrong at a later date. 

We are still faced with the fact that three young boys lost 18 years and 78 days of their lives convicted of a crime they did not commit.  What happens now?  By accepting a plea bargain and effectively admitting guilt - they have rendered themselves ineligable for any form of compensation for wrongful imprisonment.  The US Criminal Justice System needs to look closely at this case, and others, to prevent this from happening ever again.  To admit to a crime you did not commit as the only way to gain rightful freedom is a absolute disgrace and a further injustice to these three men.  One can only hope that in time, and with pressure applied from the many supporters and followers of this case, the three will be completely vindicated of this henious crime. 

It is beyond my comprehension as to why Terry Hobbs and his friend were cleared of involvement when after all - it was their DNA that was found at the crime scene - not that of Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, or Jesse Misskelley. 

If you care about injustice, and don't want this to happen to your son, husband, brother, father, or friend - make it known, and make a difference.