(Memphis) It’s just a bike to most but to Pam Hicks it’s more than that.
Hicks said, “As a reminder of good happy memories that still stay with me.”
Happy memories seem so far away after all that’s happened in the last 19 years since her son, Stevie Branch, Micheal Moore and Christopher Byers were killed and the men known as the West Memphis 3 spent 18 years in prison for killing them before new evidence freed them.
Hicks said, “I’m content in my heart when I say they didn’t do this to my baby. And, I want the truth and I want justice and I just want a peace of mind.”
Peace of mind means seeing her son’s possessions.
“I’d like to have my son’s bike back, maybe fix the chain and give it to my grandson,” said Hicks.
Prosecutor Scott Ellington says the evidence is not covered under the Freedom of Information Act and the court ruled in the state’s favor because the case closed but maybe not forever.
“We consider that the case is closed however I’m reviewing any credible evidence that is presented and will continue to do so,” said Ellington, prosecutor.
Hicks’ legal team isn’t giving up. They turned to that historical presidential downfall, Watergate, looking for an alternative.
“I still believe that there is a probability that we will because the common law right is so strong. This is the same law that was used to get the Watergate tapes in the Nixon investigation,” said Danny Owens, law clerk for Hick’s defense team.
Common law gives the public the right to every man’s evidence. Hicks says because so many other people have seen this evidence she believes this gives her the right.
“I want to see the evidence. I want to be certain. I know what my son had on that day that I left him at 4:30. I want to know that it’s all there,” said Hicks.
The only way for this mother to know its all there, is to see it for herself.
Meanwhile, Damien Echols’ defense team is asking anyone with new information to call their tip-line instead of West Memphis police. All of those involved even the prosecutor, thinks that is a good idea.
Ellington said, “Rather than using city resources, state resources to review any number of things that could come in because it comes in from all over the country.”
However Hicks has a different reason for asking folks not to call the police.
She said, “Give it to the defense team. Call their tip line. I don’t trust West Memphis or the state of Arkansas.”
Owens, the law clerk working with her legal team added, “I think the problem that we have is there were 10 months that Mr. Ellington when he had evidence in his hand that he failed to investigate. He did nothing with it and at this point we know that the defense team will investigate will follow up.”
The WM3 Confidential Tip Line is (501) 256-1775.