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Attorneys: DNA Evidence May Clear West Memphis Three
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WHBQ FOX13 myfoxmemphis.com) --
New DNA evidence could free the West Memphis Three, three Arkansas teenagers convicted of mutilating and three eight-year-old boys in 1993. Defense attorneys are now asking for a new hearing in the case.
Defense attorneys said the new evidence points to one of the victim's fathers, but more importantly does not point to the West Memphis Three.
Standing at the Weaver Reading Grove, a memorial established in honor of her son, Pam Hobbs described the last 14 years as an emotional rollercoaster.
"I'm a very confused, angry mother like I was 14 years ago," she said. "This was dropped in my lap. I want to rest. I want peace. I want to know who done it."
In May 1993, Hobbs' eight-year-old son and his two friends were found dead. They were found nude and hog-tied in a drainage ditch. Court documents show one boy was apparently sexually mutilated.
Three teenagers, Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley and Jason Baldwin were convicted of the crime and dubbed the West Memphis Three. Investigators believed the murders were part of a satanic ritual.
"I'm blown away," said Hobbs. "1993 was dropped right back in my lap in 2007. I'm not certain they did it. I don't know they didn't do it."
Monday, attorneys for Echols filed a writ of habeas corpus in a Little Rock federal court. The writ asks for the release of the West Memphis Three based on new DNA evidence. The 200-page document suggests many of the victims' wounds were misinterpreted.
The attorneys claim injuries, at first thought to be stab wounds and sexual mutilation were, in fact, done by animals after the boys were dead.
"I'm sick of the games. I lost my child," said Hobbs. "I want the truth, who done it. I want the games to be stopped."
The attorneys are now pointing the finger at Pam Hobbs' ex-husband. They claim hair found at the crime scene belongs to him and one of his friends. Pam admits she had an extramarital affair just months before her son died and thinks he could have had something to do with her son's death.
"By him always telling me 'I don't get mad; I get even,' that's playing in my mind," she said. "Did he not get mad when he walked in on me kissing this guy? Did he not get even with me by taking my baby?"
Most importantly, the attorneys claim the new evidence does not point to the West Memphis Three. They claim, had the jury heard this evidence in 1994, they, like Pam, would have reasonable doubt the West Memphis Three were murderers.
Pam Hobbs just wants answers.
"When I found out who did it, a little bit of closure, will I completely be healed," she asked. "Not until I lay beside him."
FOX13 tried reaching Pam's ex-husband but were unable to.
There's no word on when the court might present its answer.
