(Memphis) – This Sunday will mark one year since the release of the West Memphis Three. Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley were freed after serving almost 20 years for the murders of three 8 year-old boys. On Your Side Investigator Stephanie Scurlock found out what they are up to now.
Since their release the West Memphis 3 have gone their separate ways. One went West. The other went East and one decided to stay here in the Mid-South.
“Family, lots of family and his dad,” said Christie Misskelley when asked why her brother stayed.
She said Jessie Misskelley stayed close to his roots in their Marion, Arkansas trailer park because he feels comfortable there. A year since his release he does mechanic work and rehabs homes in nearby Jonesboro. He has also been able to fulfill some of his childhood dreams.
“He’s alright got him a brand new motorcycle and think he’s all that, which he ain’t,” laughed Justin Pittman, Misskelley’s nephew.
Jason Baldwin is in Seattle in college and working to fulfill his dream of becoming a lawyer. He talked exclusively with me when he visited the University of Memphis law school last March.
He said, “One of the things I want to dedicate my life to is utilizing my experiences go to college. Go to law school and try to prevent other innocent people from going to prison.”
Damien Echols is helping produce a star-studded Hollywood movie and his book, Life After Death, hits shelves next month. The former death row inmate is still adapting to the free world with his wife Lorri Davis. Davis met and married him in prison and led the fight to free the West Memphis 3. Still, what upsets supporters is with the Alford plea agreement they had to accept to gain freedom, legally they are still guilty men.
“I wish they could figure out if he could sue the state of Arkansas because they screwed them, ain’t no doubt,” said Johnny Dedman, Marion, AR.
