Wow…that was a powerful press conference. What a beautiful thing that Jason did.
It’s disturbing how difficult it was for all three of them to even be there. So much time lost.
What happened?
Prosecutors statement. They plead guilty and got time served. There’s some sort of special sentencing that I’m not familiar with. Any further criminal activity sends them back for 21 more years.
IMHO if they can leave the state, they should. The further the better.
They just were so uncomfortable in the room full of people. Damien explained that he’s been in solitary for the past decade!
Jason’s attorney made a statement indicating that Jason was at first not going to accept this plea. Even though prison was utter hell, he did not want to plead guilty in any manner and really had to weigh whether or not he was going to go along with the other two men. Jason added (very well spoken, by the way) that it took him (he seemed embarrassed by this) too long to realize that he could save Damien’s life by taking this deal. He took it for Damien knowing that Damien’s situation was even worse than his own and that his life was in danger. Then Damien publicly thanked Jason for his decision and they hugged. Jason’s attorney said that Jason was a hero today!
They didn’t last in the room much longer. Jason left first and then Jesse and Damien followed almost immediately after. They just couldn’t handle it. Breaks my heart. I’m so happy for them but they are damaged no doubt. How could one not be?
There’s still hope that they can eventually get a full exoneration. Whether the state of Arkansas wants to help see that happen seems doubtful, but there are plenty of interested parties willing to keep scrutinizing the case.
It’s very likely they won’t be able to make any money. There are a lot of laws in most states prohibiting people convicted of crimes from profiting from them in any way. And since they took a plea bargain and are, as far as the state is concerned, still guilty, those laws would apply to them.
You think these kids have any chance at all on the outside? If they’re this uncomfortable around other people now, they’re going to crack wide open. I can see them all having severe PTSD and needing years, decades, of psychiatric help.
Poor guys.
I’ve never thought they had a fair trial or their guilt was proved, but this is the weirdest fucking ending possible. Rather than retry them they just set them free… but first they must plead guilty and agree not to sue Arkansas. How are pleading guilty or agreeing not to sue the state NOT contracts made under duress?
I suppose I’m in the minority among their supporters in that I never wanted them freed so much as I wanted a new trial. It’s almost needed- decompression from twenty years in prison and to show the people of Arkansas WHY they are considered innocent (if they are [which I think they are]).
Shit this is weird.
That’s what they wanted too, but the state wouldn’t give it to them.
I’ve been convinced for some time now that the US courts are not about Fairness, but about winning and losing. They are out of prison, but the State wins.
So since the three have plead guilty, does that mean nobody else can ever be prosecuted for the murders?
I wonder what their parole requirements will be. There are mobs out there who are convinced of their guilt so their lives will be in danger if it is known where they are located.
Jason has always been the one I felt most sympathy for. As mentioned above Damien was no choirboy- I don’t think he had anything to do with the murders but he was a delinquent with severe mental problems- while Jason was a good students and railroaded basically for being friends with Damien. Neither was a friend with Jesse nor do I think even teenagers in small town Arkansas before the Internet would have been provincial or uninformed enough to think bringing in a near stranger who’s known to be an idiot would be a good idea for a child murder spree.
They are so skinny it’s jarring. Arkansas prison food is notoriously awful. In some prisons overweight prisoners are actually a problem (lack of exercise plus fatty foods).
The guy who announced all this on TV (I think he was the DA, but not sure) specifically said they are not on parole. They are on suspended sentence. He said they do not have to check in with a parole officer, but they do have to make sure they don’t violate the law. Now which laws, he didn’t say. I’m assuming they won’t go back to jail for a speeding ticket, but who knows.
He did say they have no travel restrictions and they may go wherever they like, including leaving the state.
I wonder if anyone has ever been released directly from death row directly into society? Without even a half-way house stop?
I agree the original trial was a major screw up. I still have a very bad feeling about Damien Echols. We’ll know within a year or two. I hate to think of what he may do.
My Intro to Criminal Justice teacher was a assistant warden. He taught as a part time lecturer. Told us to imagine the scariest, biggest, meanest guy in prison. Eventually that guy will get out. He will be free. It’s the way our system works. Nearly every criminal will get out eventually.
No, but it’s highly, highly unlikely. I would imagine Terry Hobbs breathed a huge sigh of relief after today’s events. Barring a believable confession or some sort of smoking gun, the case is closed. I think that’s the hardest thing for a lot of people to accept. There is no sense of resolution or closure. Just prosecutors and judges covering their asses with obscure legal maneuvers.
^^^^^ THIS! Brilliant, Samp.
I really wanted the new trial too. There was people at the hearing today, yelling, “Baby killers!!” But hey, those are the same people who think they did it 'cause Satan possessed them 'cause they a-praised him!
At least they’re finally out, and they said they are pursuing law suits to clear their names.
I wonder if they would be able to get passports. This would be a good time for one of their wealthy supporters (like Johnny Depp for instance) to pay for them to go to another country where the trial isn’t well known, at least for a time.
This is so bizarre that Anderson Cooper is probably still trying to decide whether to wear a T-shirt and stand outside when he interviews them.
Does anybody know what Nancy Grace’s reaction is?
Does anybody really care?
When is Anderson interviewing them?
No idea if or when, but I’m sure it’ll be the main story on his show tonight.
For those too young to remember the late 1980s, this is a 2 minute clip from a Geraldo special (all of which is available on YouTube) that helped create the climate that convicted the WM3. Pay attention to the warning signs of satanic involvement: you could well have been a teenaged satanist and not even known it.
It’s one reason I hate Geraldo to this day (not that there’s any shortage of reasons). That special may seem like a campy period piece, but the idiots who believed it destroyed MANY lives; there was little short of a literal witch hunt in Wenatchee, WA, and since many of those “warning signs” are signs of depression think how many kids experiencing a depressive episode now were assumed to be in a cult as well. Hard as it is to grasp, there were grown people out there- some in positions of authority- who honestly believed a satanic cult with millions of members were sacrificing babies and raping kids daily in rituals and responsible for thousands of murders. To my knowledge Geraldo has never apologized for his involvement.