Arkansas Supreme Court says new DNA testing can be sought in 'West Memphis 3' case
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday said a judge wrongly denied a request for new genetic testing of crime scene evidence from the killing of three boys nearly 30 years ago.
In a 4-3 decision, the court reversed the 2022 ruling denying the request to test evidence from the 1993 crime scene where three 8-year-old boys were found brutally slain in a drainage ditch near West Memphis. The additional testing was sought by Damien Echols, one of the three men convicted in the slayings.
Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jesse Misskelley were convicted in 1994 but released in 2011 under a rarely used plea agreement that allowed them to maintain their innocence yet plead guilty in exchange for 18-year sentences and credit for time served.
“We appreciate the (Arkansas Supreme Court) giving this ruling and hope we can now once and for all solve this case, clear our names and find the person responsible for carrying out these horrendous crimes,” Echols said in a statement. “This is monumental.”
Related articles
Not so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir Starmer
Noel Gallagher has insisted he would still back Tony Blair for PM - as he warned Keir Starmer not to2024-05-21Art on the lips at hippiest cultural district in Hong Kong
Snap a picture of a Japanese avant-garde artist's rainbow-striped drape cascading from the ceili2024-05-21Russian state media is posting more on TikTok ahead of the U.S. presidential election, study says
Russian state-affiliated accounts have boosted their use of TikTok and are getting more engagement o2024-05-21Awards give books an exciting chapter
In the digital era in which people's attention is often distracted by fragmented, eye-catching i2024-05-21Amir Khan's £11.5m luxury wedding venue finally hosts its first marriage: Bride arrives on horse
Amir Khan's £11.5million luxury wedding venue has finally hosted its first marriage after a series o2024-05-21- A serial dine-and-dash solicitor has been struck off after ordering a £43 takeaway and shutting the2024-05-21
atest comment