Paradise Lost filmmakers, Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky witnessed when Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelly were freed from prison and filmed the ending for their third documentary about West Memphis Three.[googlead tip=”patrat_mediu” aliniat=”stanga”]
Paradise Lost tells the West Memphis Three story
On Friday, August 19, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Judge David Laser decided to give West Memphis Three ten year suspended sentences, considering the eighteen years already served.
“To see our work culminate in the righting of this tragic miscarriage of justice is more than a filmmaker could ask for,” said Joe Berlinger.
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“Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills” was an award winning documentary in 1996. It raises doubts upon lots of details of the case against Baldwin, Echols and Misskelly. On the Satanism panic of the late 80s and early 90s town’s eccentrical figures were found guilty of murdering three little boys in West Memphis, Arkansas in 1993, despite the fact there were little physical evidence. Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky carried forward their investigation and in 2000 “Paradise Lost 2: Revelations” was aired.
Along with “Paradise Lost” directors other celebrities has shown their support during the time, Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam and Johnny Depp were among the first.
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills
The “Paradise Lost” series express the doubts regarding the validity of the West Memphis Three verdicts. In the same time they were not declared not guilty. In an Alford Plea, a defendant declare onself innocent and simultaneously accepts the ability of the prosecutor to prove the charges with present evidence. In the same time one plead innocent and admit the guilt. This might lead to the new trials.
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The directors were already working on “Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory,” but with the recent change their third documentary has got a new ending.
“Eighteen years and three films ago, we started this journey to document the terrible murders of three innocent boys and the subsequent circus that followed the arrests and convictions of Baldwin, Echols and Misskelly. To see our work culminate in the righting of this tragic miscarriage of justice is more than a filmmaker could ask for.” Joe Berlinger said in an HBO statement.”
“Today, we, along with HBO, are humbled to be a part of this remarkable outcome” said Bruce Sinofsky.
“Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory” will recapitulate the entire story; from the arrests in 1993 to their release. Paradise Lost 3 will be presented at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2012 and will be broadcasted on HBO in January 2012.
[googlead tip=”patrat_mediu” aliniat=”stanga”]The West Memphis Three case, that has turn out to be a wide known cause for a number of celebrities (American actors along with music artists), went to an intense and surprising final result.
On Friday the three men found guilty of murdering three eight-year-old boys in 1993 were freed from jail. Their release comes after “Alford plea” that permit them to assert innocence while acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict them.
West Memphis Three: Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley, Jr. and Jason Baldwin in 1993.
Damien Echols was sentenced to death while Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr. were serving life sentences.
Interest in the initial trial focused on Damien Echols, back then 18, who had dressed in black garments, had colored his hair black, had read books on vampires, and listened to heavy-metal music. He was frequently inquired by law enforcement regarding satanism.
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The horrible homicides, that were described as satanic by the law forces, stunned West Memphis, Arkansas. However residual uncertainty whether the West Memphis Three had been responsible led to campaigns feed by stars to have the men liberated.
Those uncertainties has increased last month, when a report on new DNA data was submitted in Craighead County Circuit Court. It could not link the crimes to the West Memphis Three charged in the murders.[googlead tip=”lista_medie” aliniat=”stanga”]
Two HBO documentaries shot within the the nineteen nineties ( “Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills” won an award), have increased consciousness concerning the case. Metallica has permitted their songs to be utilized in the film. Another documentary will be launched this fall.
The American stars have supported West Memphis Three cause.
Johnny Depp West Memphis Three's supporter
Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam and Johnny Depp have grown to be highly effective supporters for Echols, specifically.
Previous year, Eddie Vedder, together with “Arkansas Take Action”, organized “Voices for Justice” live concert in Little Rock to raise understanding about the West Memphis Three. Depp made an appearance together with Patti Smith and Natalie Maines.
“Three innocent people are losing years of their life on a wrongful conviction on a crime they didn’t commit. It makes me scared. It could happen to any of us” said Natalie.
Through the years, Depp and Vedder have donated for Echols legal fees. Eddie has composed songs in relation to Damien and visited him. Other celebrities have given souvenirs for auctions to assist the cause.
Internet sites were meeting places for allies and additional followers. They written to the West Memphis Three and also to political figures.
“From beginning to end, this is probably the first national case to play out on the Internet. The Internet was the way to mobilize the troops all over the world. I don’t see how we would be where we are right now without the Internet,” said Lisa Fancher, an activist for the West Memphis Three Fund, on Friday prior to the hearing.
