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Witches in West Memphis: The West Memphis Three and Another False Confession
This might be the most unjust prosecution in U.S. legal history. If you think what happened to Steven Avery in the true crime film Making a Murderer was shocking, you will be completely appalled by what happened to three little boys and three teens in Arkansas in 1993.
Three 8-year-old boys vanished from their West Memphis neighborhood one sunny afternoon. A day later their mangled, nude bodies are found in a drainage ditch. Police and prosecutors believe the killings are related to the occult. Three teens are arrested one month later. Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr. are convicted.
There’s only one problem. Overwhelming scientific evidence proves they’re innocent and witness after witness has come forward to admit lies were told in court during the original trials.
Award-winning journalist George Jared takes readers inside one of the most famous criminal cases in U.S. legal history. Witches in West Memphis gives a comprehensive insiders’ view into the West Memphis Three case. No journalist has written more stories about the case than Jared.
The author recounts his firsthand court coverage, interviews with witnesses, research, and other information he gathered in the case. Those interviews include a Death Row interview with Damien Echols, interviews with Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr., and interviews with other suspects, including Terry Hobbs. He’s been credited in numerous documentaries including the Academy Award nominated film Paradise Lost III: Purgatory and the New York Times best seller Life After Death.
Witches graphically recounts how three Boy Scouts – Stephen “Stevie” Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers – rode their bikes after school on a bright afternoon. Their bodies are found in a wooded area near their homes the next day. The manner of death and the way they were bound, ankle to wrist, made authorities think Satanists might have sacrificed the children.
Echols, a troubled teen with a seedy past, was immediately identified as a possible suspect. His best-friend, Jason Baldwin, and another teen known to them, Jessie Misskelley Jr., are arrested June 3, 1993. They are charged with murder.
No real evidence tied the teens to the crime, but an error-riddled confession by Misskelley was the proof used to seal the verdicts in the case. Read how they, referred to as the West Memphis Three, toiled in prison for years as their case stagnated in the Arkansas judicial system. As time passed, overwhelming scientific evidence was discovered. Witnesses changed their statements. New suspects rose to the surface.
No author, documentary filmmaker, or journalist has had more access in this case. Witches is written in an easy to read, narrative-style form. Grab a copy today.
Three 8-year-old boys vanished from their West Memphis neighborhood one sunny afternoon. A day later their mangled, nude bodies are found in a drainage ditch. Police and prosecutors believe the killings are related to the occult. Three teens are arrested one month later. Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr. are convicted.
There’s only one problem. Overwhelming scientific evidence proves they’re innocent and witness after witness has come forward to admit lies were told in court during the original trials.
Award-winning journalist George Jared takes readers inside one of the most famous criminal cases in U.S. legal history. Witches in West Memphis gives a comprehensive insiders’ view into the West Memphis Three case. No journalist has written more stories about the case than Jared.
The author recounts his firsthand court coverage, interviews with witnesses, research, and other information he gathered in the case. Those interviews include a Death Row interview with Damien Echols, interviews with Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr., and interviews with other suspects, including Terry Hobbs. He’s been credited in numerous documentaries including the Academy Award nominated film Paradise Lost III: Purgatory and the New York Times best seller Life After Death.
Witches graphically recounts how three Boy Scouts – Stephen “Stevie” Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers – rode their bikes after school on a bright afternoon. Their bodies are found in a wooded area near their homes the next day. The manner of death and the way they were bound, ankle to wrist, made authorities think Satanists might have sacrificed the children.
Echols, a troubled teen with a seedy past, was immediately identified as a possible suspect. His best-friend, Jason Baldwin, and another teen known to them, Jessie Misskelley Jr., are arrested June 3, 1993. They are charged with murder.
No real evidence tied the teens to the crime, but an error-riddled confession by Misskelley was the proof used to seal the verdicts in the case. Read how they, referred to as the West Memphis Three, toiled in prison for years as their case stagnated in the Arkansas judicial system. As time passed, overwhelming scientific evidence was discovered. Witnesses changed their statements. New suspects rose to the surface.
No author, documentary filmmaker, or journalist has had more access in this case. Witches is written in an easy to read, narrative-style form. Grab a copy today.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
175 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 4, 2016
36 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
George Jared
6 books34 followersMy name is George Jared, and I'm an author and investigative journalist that has written three, true-crime books, “Witches in West Memphis … and another false confession,” and “The Creek Side Bones … reality is more horrifying than fiction," and "Whispers in the Willows."
I followed those with my first fiction novel, co-written by my daughter, Megan, "A Novel Wait."
My fifth book is a true crime "Silent Silhouette" co-written by Jennifer Bucholtz.
Witches chronicles the West Memphis Three case and another murder case involving a false confession in Gosnell. I've written more news stories about WM3 than any journalist in the world. I was cited in the Academy Award nominated documentary about the case, “Paradise Lost Three: Purgatory” and I was also cited in Damien Echols' New York Times best-selling autobiography, “Life After Death.” I interviewed him while he was still on Arkansas' Death Row, and I broke the story when he and his cohorts were released from prison in 2011.
I've won numerous accolades including 11 first place awards with Associated Press Managing Editors and Arkansas Press Association for investigative journalism, feature writing, spot news, headline writing, and others. The front cover of Creek Side was selected in 2017 by the Arkansas library system for its poster chronicling the best works produced in the state during the last year. I've been interviewed by numerous newspapers, and media outlets for my coverage of that case and other capital murder cases I've covered through the years.
I'm very passionate about journalism and these cases I've covered. I hope readers enjoy both these books, and I'm always open to fair criticism and comments.
I followed those with my first fiction novel, co-written by my daughter, Megan, "A Novel Wait."
My fifth book is a true crime "Silent Silhouette" co-written by Jennifer Bucholtz.
Witches chronicles the West Memphis Three case and another murder case involving a false confession in Gosnell. I've written more news stories about WM3 than any journalist in the world. I was cited in the Academy Award nominated documentary about the case, “Paradise Lost Three: Purgatory” and I was also cited in Damien Echols' New York Times best-selling autobiography, “Life After Death.” I interviewed him while he was still on Arkansas' Death Row, and I broke the story when he and his cohorts were released from prison in 2011.
I've won numerous accolades including 11 first place awards with Associated Press Managing Editors and Arkansas Press Association for investigative journalism, feature writing, spot news, headline writing, and others. The front cover of Creek Side was selected in 2017 by the Arkansas library system for its poster chronicling the best works produced in the state during the last year. I've been interviewed by numerous newspapers, and media outlets for my coverage of that case and other capital murder cases I've covered through the years.
I'm very passionate about journalism and these cases I've covered. I hope readers enjoy both these books, and I'm always open to fair criticism and comments.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 5, 2019
Fantastic book! I have always been a fan of true-crime, but more so when it happens in/near my hometown. Especially with cases like these. How devastating, the men known as the WM3 locked away for 18 years for a crime they did not commit, when supporting evidence against the three young men was obviously lacking! I was very young when this took place and only remember hearing my parents discuss what was going on, but did not follow the case as I got older. I have been following another unsolved murder case near my hometown, and when I learned that author George Jared was involved in both cases (and many more), I decided to do my research.
I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. Jared a couple of times, of which we got to discuss some of the cases he has covered and been involved in. He's great! He has a very vibrant personality and is very sociable. He’s super laid-back and easy to talk to. I could talk to him for hours and never get tired of listening to what he has to say. I reached out to him and told him I wanted to purchase both of his books.
As soon as I started reading the Prologue of his book, from the very first paragraph, I was hooked! As a reader, a book holds my interest if the literature flows in a meaningful direction, and if it paints a picture. Witches in West Memphis book did just that! The imagery was astounding. As I was reading the words, I could see myself there at the scene. I didn’t want to put his book down. I was intrigued the entire time! This book is so rewarding and he is such an amazing writer! I can’t wait to start reading his second book, The Creek Side Bones.
I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. Jared a couple of times, of which we got to discuss some of the cases he has covered and been involved in. He's great! He has a very vibrant personality and is very sociable. He’s super laid-back and easy to talk to. I could talk to him for hours and never get tired of listening to what he has to say. I reached out to him and told him I wanted to purchase both of his books.
As soon as I started reading the Prologue of his book, from the very first paragraph, I was hooked! As a reader, a book holds my interest if the literature flows in a meaningful direction, and if it paints a picture. Witches in West Memphis book did just that! The imagery was astounding. As I was reading the words, I could see myself there at the scene. I didn’t want to put his book down. I was intrigued the entire time! This book is so rewarding and he is such an amazing writer! I can’t wait to start reading his second book, The Creek Side Bones.
March 16, 2019
Amazing read! I love true crime books of any and every kind. This one did not disappoint! I loved reading his personal insights to this story that accompany facts about the trial! Being from Arkansas, I loved the chapter about Rebekah that was killed in my hometown. Loved the book and couldn't put it down. Very well written. Also read the author's book "The Creek Side Bones". I highly recommend both!
October 10, 2017
Recommended
The more I read about the West Memphis 3, the more sure I am that they are innocent. Nothing adds up to their guilt. I am appalled at the police, DA, the blatant lies of the witnesses, many of the decisions made by judge. A scapegoat was needed and authorities so I d it in the 3 teens accused and railroaded for these murders. What is truly hard to accept, is that with evidence pointing at others, it was all ignored, swept under the rug, to ensure these boys were found guilty. The authorities didn't, and in MHO, still don't care about the truth. These young men, after serving 20 years for crimes they remain to profess innocence, finally got their freedom, after saying , we're innocent, but the police might have enough against us to prosecute.. That is total BS. I wish the WM3 peace in the rest of their lives.
The more I read about the West Memphis 3, the more sure I am that they are innocent. Nothing adds up to their guilt. I am appalled at the police, DA, the blatant lies of the witnesses, many of the decisions made by judge. A scapegoat was needed and authorities so I d it in the 3 teens accused and railroaded for these murders. What is truly hard to accept, is that with evidence pointing at others, it was all ignored, swept under the rug, to ensure these boys were found guilty. The authorities didn't, and in MHO, still don't care about the truth. These young men, after serving 20 years for crimes they remain to profess innocence, finally got their freedom, after saying , we're innocent, but the police might have enough against us to prosecute.. That is total BS. I wish the WM3 peace in the rest of their lives.
May 7, 2016
Awesome author!
George wrote an awesome book that includes facts, theories, unbiased and biased views of every part of the WM3 case. I definitely learned a lot about what happened to the 3 little boys and the young men accused of killing them. Thank you George Jared, can't wait to read your next book!
George wrote an awesome book that includes facts, theories, unbiased and biased views of every part of the WM3 case. I definitely learned a lot about what happened to the 3 little boys and the young men accused of killing them. Thank you George Jared, can't wait to read your next book!
June 10, 2017
Easy read....very clear and factual. Reading this book is like watching Dateline without the commercials! I like the author is very to the point and not afraid to dig or ask difficult questions. Keep writing and I'll keep reading Mr.Jared!
Also, I recently read his book The Creek Side Bones---its a MUST read!
Also, I recently read his book The Creek Side Bones---its a MUST read!
Read
July 18, 2016Great book, very in-depth and comprehensive. Definitely recommend!
May 4, 2022
I had the pleasure of hearing George Jared speak about this case at CrimeCon last week. It was interesting to read about how he got involved and more about his thoughts and theories.
June 5, 2019
Fantastic book! I have always been a fan of true-crime, but more so when it happens in/near my hometown. Especially with cases like these. How devastating, the men known as the WM3 locked away for 18 years for a crime they did not commit, when supporting evidence against the three young men was obviously lacking! I was very young when this took place and only remember hearing my parents discuss what was going on, but did not follow the case as I got older. I have been following another unsolved murder case near my hometown, and when I learned that author George Jared was involved in both cases (and many more), I decided to do my research.
I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. Jared a couple of times, of which we got to discuss some of the cases he has covered and been involved in. He's great! He has a very vibrant personality and is very sociable. He’s super laid-back and easy to talk to. I could talk to him for hours and never get tired of listening to what he has to say. I reached out to him and told him I wanted to purchase both of his books.
As soon as I started reading the Prologue of his book, from the very first paragraph, I was hooked! As a reader, a book holds my interest if the literature flows in a meaningful direction, and if it paints a picture. Witches in West Memphis book did just that! The imagery was astounding. As I was reading the words, I could see myself there at the scene. I didn’t want to put his book down. I was intrigued the entire time! This book is so rewarding and he is such an amazing writer! I can’t wait to start reading his second book, The Creek Side Bones.
I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. Jared a couple of times, of which we got to discuss some of the cases he has covered and been involved in. He's great! He has a very vibrant personality and is very sociable. He’s super laid-back and easy to talk to. I could talk to him for hours and never get tired of listening to what he has to say. I reached out to him and told him I wanted to purchase both of his books.
As soon as I started reading the Prologue of his book, from the very first paragraph, I was hooked! As a reader, a book holds my interest if the literature flows in a meaningful direction, and if it paints a picture. Witches in West Memphis book did just that! The imagery was astounding. As I was reading the words, I could see myself there at the scene. I didn’t want to put his book down. I was intrigued the entire time! This book is so rewarding and he is such an amazing writer! I can’t wait to start reading his second book, The Creek Side Bones.
July 22, 2018
An interesting perspective of the riveting case from a journalist who has been in court and had jailhouse interviews with the WM3 and other various players in the saga. I look forward to reading his next book, The Creek Side Bones, which includes a story from our small town that is still very fresh in our minds.
October 9, 2017
Another great book by this author. I would highly recommend this and his other book "The Creek Side Bones." Can't wait to see what he writes next!
August 9, 2018
For the uninitiated only. This is a very brief recapitulation of the facts of the trial and the aftermath. It's more like a lengthy Wikipedia entry than it is a real investigation of the murders.
Read
October 9, 2019Awesome Book!! Hope i can find more from George Jared since he lives so close to my hometown.
May 21, 2020
Not really worth reading if you know the case as nothing new revealed.
March 28, 2016
False confessions and satanic panic= criminal injustice
If you don't know very much about the West Memphis Three case, this is a good place to start. It's also good for those who do know about it. On my device, there were some problems with formatting but this is well written and the author a good job of keeping emotion out of the equation, as a journalist should. Including other, unrelated cases in this book was a good way to highlight the fact that people will give false confessions, even though it defies logic and wouldn't be in their best interest to do so.
If you don't know very much about the West Memphis Three case, this is a good place to start. It's also good for those who do know about it. On my device, there were some problems with formatting but this is well written and the author a good job of keeping emotion out of the equation, as a journalist should. Including other, unrelated cases in this book was a good way to highlight the fact that people will give false confessions, even though it defies logic and wouldn't be in their best interest to do so.
April 19, 2017
Do not read this book without watching the HBO documentaries. A very sparse book on its own, but will work as a compendium to documentaries. Subjects such as false confessions are covered better (see Elizabeth Loftus). It was a decent read for me due to studying this subject elsewhere.
May 29, 2018
I found this book almost by accident while listening to Beyond The Darkness podcast's True Crime Tuesday episode about the case. George Jared was the guest speaker. This book is amazing. I've read many articles, forums, seen many documentaries and videos made about the case. Jared does a great job telling the facts with out trying to lean you one way or the other.
just as a warning Jared does talk about other cases as references to certain aspects in his career/to the case. The other two cases (1 in the beginning of the book and 1 at the end) mentioned in the book are also interesting.
just as a warning Jared does talk about other cases as references to certain aspects in his career/to the case. The other two cases (1 in the beginning of the book and 1 at the end) mentioned in the book are also interesting.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews