New evidence and evidence that had been incorrectly interpreted have finally contributed to the release of these teenage boys who are now men. People involved in the arrests have also received promotions and accolades for their role in the case so it is very complicated. The arresting officer and others were given promotions.

Amy Berg’s documentary West of Memphis, produced by Peter Jackson, chronicles the history of these three wrongly imprisoned teens who have spent 18 years behind bars. They were released in July 2011. They are still fighting for justice and want those responsible to be held accountable. The documentary includes a remarkable soundtrack called West of Memphis: Voices for Justice. Johnny Depp attended the world premiere of the documentary at TIFF 2012 in Toronto.

The documentary is unrelenting in its revelation of the truth. Through the use of interviews conducted with lawyers, judges, journalists, family members, witnesses, and the West Memphis Three themselves, the story is pieced together. The documentary also focuses on Terry Hobbs, stepfather of Stevie Branch, one of the victims, as a potential suspect. DNA tests were not available in 1993. Later DNA tests have found not a single trace from the three men convicted of the murders. However, a hair with a high likelihood of belonging to Terry Hobbs was found in a knot of one of a rope binding one of the victims.

Despite overwhelming evidence of their innocence the West Memphis Three, in late 2010, accepted the advice their advisors recommended, that they accept an “Alford plea”. This is a legal technicality where they must acknowledge guilt for a crime as they simultaneously profess their innocence. They did so on Aug. 19, 2011.

Two previous documentaries kept this case in front of the public and have helped justice to be done. The 1996 documentary Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills and a 2000 follow-up Paradise Lost 2: Revelations.

Moira Romano

Images courtesy of: https://www.facebook.com/WestOfMemphis?fref=ts