Abomination: Devil Worship and Deception in the West Memphis Three Murders

by William Ramsey

With startling insights into one of the most talked about murder cases in American history, Abomination: Devil Worship and Deception in the West Memphis Three Murders reveals the truth about the murders of three children in West Memphis, Arkansas in 1993. By analyzing original police transcripts and court documents, William Ramsey effectively proves that witchcraft and devil worship were involved in the heinous murders, and that a continuing wall of deception has prevented the public from knowing awful truth about the West Memphis Three child killings.

Genres: True Crime, Crime, Conspiracy Theories, Mystery

451 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2012

About the author

Attorney, Author and Researcher William Ramsey is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in History. Mr. Ramsey also has a J.D. and is a member of the State Bar of California.

Reviews

[Madly Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5
The mind is a mysterious organ, and out of the mind, its memories, the history and experiences of the person, personalities are formed. I have given this book a star purely because the author is competent as a writer and at times, even eloquent, but people, this is one of the saddest books I have ever read in terms of content.

That anyone could believe it is as tragic as the topic of content.

Why people believe in conspiracy theories as this author does is the subject for psychologists and anthropologists. It's very easy for me to write this review because Ramsey is online and all over the place with all sorts of conspiracy theories. His whole life seems to be made up of them. I would say this to his face, over dinner, anytime, and with a smile.

He stubbornly clings to Devil Worship and Sacrifice in the West Memphis 3 case. Even if Damien Echols was POSITIVELY guilty, it would not be about Satan, it would be about psychosis and ignorance and trauma. No, Ramsey believes Barbara Bush was the daughter of Aleister Crowley. Ramsey believes that Crowley had some kind of unique power and that he invaded the lives of I don't know how many people.

But Ramsey can't see reality, he can't see facts, he can't see that human beings are responsible for their evil. He has to believe in superstitions and otherworldly things and conspiracy theories.

Ramsey can't see Damien Echols for what he simply was in 1992 and 1993, an immature youth with the emotional life of maybe, maybe a 12 year old, living in poverty and shame, ignorant to an extent, mentally fragile, and struggling to cope. That's too, freaking human for Ramsey. It's too, freaking normal. It's too, freaking pitiful.

This book should be burned, but I don't burn books, not even very bad ones.

[Brian Irons · Rating 1 out of 5]

how in the holy hell did you even get this plate of tripe published. I know nothing of law enforcement or forensics and I can tell you that the evidence 100% points away from the defendants. starting with a corrupt local government, and police department to a coerst confession. there is no evidence of witchcraft or satanic worship. How much are you getting paid to spread this manure? People, don't bother with this collection of lies. Its not worth it.

[Derek Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike the previous reviewer, I found Ramsey's style of presenting information from the case files in chronological order to be very informative. I haven't seen the HBO documentary, so I can't compare the book to what most people "know" about the case. However, after reading "Abomination," I am truly puzzled that Echols and his friends are free men.

[Ramona Terry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Blah at best

[Franquis Vegas · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was given over 100 true crime books and have undertaken to read them all. But as soon as I read the first few paragraphs of this book I knew my time would be wasted. The author admits he only did 6 months of research on the case. I know little about the case, but I know 6 months is not enough to really understand any case let alone this one. I have no opinion on this case either way, but reading this will not give me any useful insight. The author also admits that he's a firm believer in Satanic Panic nonsense and the titles of his other two self published books include '9/11 and the new world order.' (massive eye roll) While I will continue to read the rest of the given books which are from experts in their fields and well researched I will not sit through 300 pages of under-researched nonsense and senseless drivel but an admitted lazy researcher with a clear motive and painfully obvious set bias from the start.
This book to me seems like a money grab by a lazy author on a high profile case. 6 months of research and writing on a complex case he'd never heard of before? The author should be ashamed. I feel embarrassed for him. If you want my opinion, read it if you share the authors views. The book will confirm what you want it to. If you want well researched and ethical analysis of the case? Look elsewhere.

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I chose the book specifically because I wanted to be convinced the three young men were guilty. I WANT to believe that, because I hate the thought of police and prosecutors getting it wrong. Had he seemed even remotely thoughtful and professional, Rios author could have convinced me. Instead, I felt like a was reading a paper written by a defensive teenage know-it-all. The repetitiveness of some “evidence” was tiresome. The single-minded obsession with “SATAN!!!!” and “CULT!!!!” wasn’t remotely convincing. Seriously-several pages devoted to the content of Damien Echols’ tweets from 2012? That ain’t even close to evidence, guy. Sounds like a grudge. Technically, the writing was most passable, but sometimes overly dramatic and I got the impression he sleeps with a thesaurus. I have rolled my eyes so much in the course of reading this, I’ve had a constant headache. And I WANTED to buy into everything when I started this. If there’s a book out there that can convinced me these men were guilty, this isn’t it. I’m horrifically sad that I paid for the book when I couldn’t find it in any library.

[Tom Fogleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book! William put together a no-nonsense volume regarding the case. It largely follows a linear timeline of events that led to the conviction of the 3 involved. Included within are police repots, transcriptions of police interviews, references to evidence gathered, references to psychiatric records and police reports of the 3, media articles, as well as a few photographs. The appendices even include transcripts of 2 of Misskelley's multiple confessions. I have some unpleasant news for their supporters: the WM3 are GUILTY! The book even hints at the involvement of others from the cult in the killings. My own advice to those who believe in their innocence is that reading is fundamental. You shouldn't rely on Hollywood for your history lessons. If anybody wishes further review of the evidence I would refer you to Detective Callahan's website on the WM3. It has all the evidence and court transcripts located within. It receives my highest recommendation.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, that exposes the West Memphis 3 for what they really are satanic, perverted, child killers. It is by far the scariest book i have ever read and gives great insight into the occult and other satanic killers. After finishing the book i have no doubt that Damian Echols,Jason Baldwin,Jessi Misskelley are as guilt as sin and i am disgusted and angered that they were released. Must read!

[Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely criminal how these three we're set free for three Satanic ritual killings much due to the powers of Hollywood.

Abomination....Five stars.

[Chris Moffitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw all the "documentaries" and was completely swayed by them that the WM3 were innocent kids. Then I began reading books like this. Undoubtedly they were not innocent, the investigation was poorly done and the trial that convicted them was correct. They are guilty under the law and should currently be in prison. Great job William of bringing to light all of the evidence that the movies neglected to take into account and how the "Cause
-celeb" overrode the justice system with vast amounts of money and propaganda. Unfortunately it seems as though the public in general doesn't care. Sad.

[Roberta Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to know why the WM3 were convicted twice? This book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn the truth about the case minus the spin and killers’ propaganda.

[Ms. Koirala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers a lot of what was conveniently left out or brushed over in the documentaries. Know both sides and judge for yourself.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ramsey loves the cops too much for me to give this any higher than 2 stars, and I give the second star grudgingly. The cops and their investigations are sloppy; they completely drop important leads in their desperate attempt to frame all three men, yet Ramsey basically fawns over them and excuses every single fuckup. The cases against Jesse and especially Jason are honestly flimsy as hell. Jesse in particular is not a good guy, but that doesn't mean that he's a murderer. The evidence against Jason is basically non-existent. The case against Damien is, however, actually compelling. I watched the HBO documentaries and believed that all three men were innocent for decades, but the evidence presented here made me change my mind.

The thing that really pisses me off about the book is the fact that there are several major leads that the cops never bothered to chase down. Many people recalled seeing Damien with older people who were kind of "gothy" looking, and on many occasions. There was some strong evidence suggesting the involvement of others in the murders, many more than just three people, yet the cops never bothered to dig any deeper. Their negligence, to me, suggests that maybe the cops were told to drop some investigations, or strongly encouraged to overlook evidence. There were definitely adults involved that evening, and the fact that they'll never see justice is pretty horrifying.

Ramsey would be a much better investigator if his christian fundamentalist beliefs didn't constantly hinder his ability to hold people like the cops accountable. Your beloved institutions (policing) are as corrupt as everything else. Most of the murder and trafficking in this country couldn't go on without them.

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this might give me more info from the prosecution's side but it was totally pointless. Most of it is "this could totally have been a Satanic ritual" but the author doesn't even bother to say why, what the ritual would have been intended to do or show any understanding of occult beliefs at all. I mean, I don't expect that from the man in the street but if you're going to say that this was all done by Satanists it helps to not be rambling on confusing everything.

There's a lot of hearsay made out to be "Aha!" moments. Echols clearly enjoyed his power to freak people out by being an edgy teen but that led to vast amounts of testimony along the lines that someone's sister's friend's cousin heard that he'd done something mean to a dog, all of which is presented as if it was 100 percent the truth and had a direct influence on whether this crime was committed or not. However anything useful like DNA evidence or even a motive is mysteriously missing.

Then some padding about other crimes is added as if the fact that other crimes were committed by completely different people means the WM3 are guilty. So it comes across as a lot of nothing, even with the blatantly coerced and constantly changing confession.

[Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a very important side of this case. The West Memphis Three have received mainstream support and celebrities saying they are innocent, and all this mainly comes from the three Paradise Lost documentaries. This book shows that there were Satanic things happening in West Memphis (and other parts of the country) and that the West Memphis Three were involved in Satanic rituals such as killing dogs and drinking their blood (one of them even drank human blood from another kid while they were in the mental institution) before they went on to murder three children. It wasn't just a crime they committed out of nowhere, especially one of them had a history of mental problems and violence.

The style of mostly just transcribing the police interviews is interesting. You do find out a lot about the 3 from their interactions with others (including threatening to kill them and their families). But it can be tedious reading these and the book doesn't try to be a compelling narrative. I wish there was more stuff about the trials.

[Dirtynewby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. I do not think the author even knows the cultural significance of this book. The book makes damning arguments against Michael Wayne Hutchinson aka LGBT name is Damien Echols. Explaining that he provided the police with a confession that the details were verified after the fact to protect the integrity of the confessions. Damien had confessed to urinating down the throats of the children which was verified. Later the Misskelley confessions were to determine his culpability in the crime not whether they are guilty or not. I have seen deceitful youtubers misrepresent what his confessions mean. The book also makes the case that Baldwin and Echols were or are in a long term sexual relationship. It will come out with the documentation of Baldwin's behavior.

This book combats the hate speech created by Johnny Depp's money. Anti-southern anti-hibility sentiments expose the vanity of the average city dweller. The people that bite the hands that feed them and then lie to say they were good to do this.

[Jeremy Maddux · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate Ramsey's diligence. He's been watching this case for most of the thirty years it has played out, but I'm afraid if there's a book out there to completely sway me on the guilt of these three men, this book isn't the one to do it. One thing the book did help me with is being more undecided than ever as to innocence OR guilt. Essentially, I have no opinion either way now because I feel there's enough compelling evidence on both sides now. I'm glad it's not up to me to solve this or keep it from becoming a cold case.

[Ann237 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a bit to get through this book, not that I didn’t find the story interesting, it’s just that I had a difficult time due to the presentation of it. Again interesting story, and I gave three stars because I know this is the way the author chose to present. But just not a huge success for this reader

[Twila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Fantastic book by an intelligent man. This book is well researched with ACTUAL FACTS and court documentation that easily show how three child killers scammed people and got away with murder! They continue to do both. This is one of the best books I have read. WR takes on subjects most ppl shy away from.

[Danielle Dow · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author claims that the evidence in the book clearly points to the guilt of the accused, however this is not the case in my opinion. The author offered very little evidence that the accused are in fact guilty, apart from the fact that he claims the crime were clearly motivated by Satanism.

[Brian J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative tome detailing the actual case files, which are brutal and hard to read. Lots of stuff here you won't find in the HBO documentaries. William Ramsey has dug pretty deep.