By Zorianna Kit | Reuters – Sat, Jan 21, 2012 Related Content
Enlarge PhotoPeter Jackson, a producer of the film "West of Memphis", poses for a portrait during …
Enlarge PhotoProducers Damien Wayne Echols (L-R), Lorri Davis and Peter Jackson and director and …
PARK CITY, Utah (Reuters) - The high-profile case of the West Memphis Three murderers might seem like an odd choice of films for director Peter Jackson, but the "Lord of the Rings" maker has come to Sundance with a documentary about the case and a new revelation of a possible suspect.Jackson, who helped bankroll the defense of the three convicted killers who are now out of jail nearly 20 years after the crime, and the legal team claim they have testimony that the stepfather of one of the victims is the real murderer.
Whether that allegation eventually proves true will await prosecutors' action in West Memphis, Arkansas where the murders took place in 1993, and so far the prosecution has stuck by its belief they had the right culprits all along.
But where Jackson and one of the West Memphis Three, Damien Echols, are concerned, their documentary "West of Memphis" and this new testimony takes the fight further.
"It's got to be dealt with," Jackson told Reuters on Saturday at the Sundance Film Festival. "You can't just leave a murder case like that hanging in the air."
The high-profile case of the West Memphis Three who were tried and convicted as teens of murdering three boys prompted a call to action for Jackson when first told the disturbing tale of the young men linked to a grisly murder who were ultimately released from prison in August 2011.
"I was bullied and regarded as little bit of an oddball myself," Jackson told Reuters on Saturday. "And I see that happening to somebody else, so I just want to help them."
Jackson and director Amy Berg debuted "West of Memphis" at Sundance on Friday, and simultaneously defense lawyers issued a press release detailing their new revelations.
The documentary follows the case of what many believe was the wrongful conviction of Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, who were teenagers when they were accused of killing three 8-year-old boys in West Memphis, Arkansas in 1993.
The case already has been made famous by the HBO documentary series "Paradise Lost," but the story of the three jailed boys struck a chord in the Jackson and his wife and producing partner Fran Walsh as far back as 2005.
"It's an American story but it's a human story as well," Jackson said. "When you look at the original 'Paradise Lost' film, you see three kids who can't defend themselves, being persecuted in a medieval way -- witchcraft, satanic worship. It was kind of primitive. It makes you angry, so Fran and I contacted (Echols' wife) Lorri Davis and asked what we could do to help."
Jackson said he and Walsh funded the defense team's investigation anonymously, spending "more than thousands" of dollars paying bills for such things as DNA tests and sending investigators to interview additional witnesses.
"We're still doing that," Jackson said.
Only one week ago, he said, the filmmakers shot and edited the new revelation into the documentary, but they had no time to include the footage in early screenings.
NEW REVELATION
According to Jackson, Echols and the defense team, the nephew of Terry Hobbs -- Michael Hobbs, Jr. -- has told friends that his uncle committed the crime. Terry Hobbs' stepson, Stevie Branch, was among the murder victims.
Hobbs has long denied any wrongdoing and police have never considered him a suspect, according to media reports. Reuters was unable to reach Hobbs for comment.
For Jackson, the idea of actually making a documentary on the West Memphis Three didn't arise until 2008, after DNA and forensic findings paid for by Jackson and Walsh, were dismissed by the original judge presiding over the trial. He found the evidence as not being compelling enough to reopen the case.
"Whenever new evidence came and we tried to present it to the judge, he refused to hear it," said Echols, now 37. He and his wife are producers on the film alongside Jackson and Walsh.
"The only way to let the public know what was going on with this case was by doing a documentary. It was Peter's idea of 'well, why don't we get this evidence out to the public if the courts are going to refuse to hear it?'"
"West of Memphis" follows the three convicted killers until just after they were released last August in a legal maneuver known as an "Alford Plea," whereby the men plead guilty in their own best interest while asserting innocence.
But the trio, their families, their lawyers, Jackson, Walsh and director Berg haven't stopped fighting.
"You have to push this hard in order to get a reaction," said Berg. "I feel that we have gone further than anybody else has gone and we've put it out there for people to act."
The film received strong initial reviews from critics here at Sundance. The Hollywood Reporter labeled it a "gripping overall picture of the West Memphis 3 wrongful-conviction saga" and summed up, "Thorny, blood-boiling and finely made, it deserves a theatrical push."
(Editing by Christine Kearney and Bob Tourtellotte)
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the man • Prince Albert, Canada • 4 days ago May the three little childern rest in peace Funtime • 4 days ago What about the three 8 year old boys who where killed... Party Girl • 4 days ago We have seen how far the guilty will go to create lies and make more victims out of innocent people. If they are not guilty based on DNA, we the people deserve to know the truth and to put the real murderer behind bars. When this sort of thing happens, I mean a real good set-up. so much money changes hands. There are so many dirty hands in the pot, it is hard to get to the truth. I want to know so I will be happy to see what evidence they have found. The South is notorious for covering up the crimes of their personal favorites. They have so many dirty secrets I don't see how they don't keep tripping up over them all sometimes. I have seen adults bully children and how other adults choose to support other questionable adults over the confessions of children in the past so anything is possible.We also know so many adults in the past who got away clean from victimizing children because of weak laws and family/religious connections as well. The Catholic Organized crime system is a good example of one that has successfully gotten away not only with abuse by their members but also as a haven for those trying to avoid prosecution by hiding them in their order as well. Not all of the organization is corrupt, Their system is just a good example or bad really of how far and how long this type of abuse has been fostered and continued on through generations that we have on record right now. Other religious leaders of course have abused children. Let's not forget our fellow Mormons in times past selling off their young children to gain power, influence and unpaid labor within their coveted, corrupted organization. They still promote male dominance, after all of these years....sigh....They however never reached the level of abuse that the Catholics have because they were not given such easy access to orphans and illegitimate children the way that the Catholics were through the years. Nor have other religions succeeded to the extent that Catholic leaders of the past have, in blackmailing and leading their followers into both self-mutilation, as well as outright murder for power, prestige, and the outright torture of innocent people to the extent that this religion has reached in years gone by. None of the others dared to be so sadistic or power hungry as that monolith grew to be. Then again, when you are the savior of the very worst of our society, don't they owe you a few favors in return for their salvation anyways? Some people have a lot that they want to have forgiven and very few people willing to give it to them. Their confession system alone is a very profitable enterprise. Being privvy to secrets that only remain sacred, if you are willing to pay for their silence. Nice racket if you can get it.. These people have already done some of the very worst of crimes against people. What are a few more hideous ones in exchange for sanctuary and total forgiveness? They couldn't buy it from anyone else or for a more reasonable price.
AussieGecko • Dallas, Texas • 4 days ago Incredible - the judge didn't find DNA evidence compelling enough - did he prefer occult sign reading and divining tea leaves as that is more in line with the satanic slant to the initial trial that the original prosecutors took. Jack • 4 days ago "better to free 100 guilty than to imprison 1 innocent" = 100 more criminals on the street?...a...yeah...that certainly makes sense...lmao. Victoria Two • 4 days ago Better a hundred guilty men go free than one innocent man be jailed. greg • 4 days ago According to Jackson, Echols and the defense team, the nephew of Terry Hobbs -- Michael Hobbs, Jr. -- has told friends that his uncle committed the crime. So now Jackson who is against "bullying" is accusing a man of three murders on hearsay from the mans nephew? Isn't that also a form of bullying? Bunny FU • 4 days ago Salem, Arkansas. Boof • 1 day 23 hrs ago Big deal, you were bullied. Now you make millions of dollars. How about you just go to your next high school reunion and shove it in their faces but just shut the hell up already. the man • Prince Albert, Canada • 4 days ago This is what you call the sate and the judge and all the lieing lawers trying like hell to cover there lieing #$%$And i hope that they all get the electric chiar I would gladdy trun the power on my self. AUSCHWITZ APPLAUDER • 3 days ago So Dead/Alive was his "vengence" No wonder he's so fat he ate everyone !! jarrodl • Parkersburg, West Virginia • 4 days ago If the WM3 got off due to lack of DNA, Scott Peterson should walk free since his trial was based strictly off circumstantial evidence....for killing his wife, Lacy. What's odd is Scott Peterson was not devil worshipping trailer trash like the WM3 and the media is attracted to the WM3. As for the bullying, I wish the media would lay off bullying...Why? Quit whining about it and enroll in self defense classes and focus on positive things rather than "poor" me!......nuff said..... Jack • 4 days ago "...who were teenagers when they were accused of killing three 8-year-old boys in West Memphis, Arkansas in 1993."...now THAT sounds like bullying to me...teenagers accosting 8 year olds?...am I misreading this poor written article or is peter jackson an idiot? FUBAR • Baltic, Connecticut • 4 days ago A bully messed with me when I was a kid growing up in NY. Took his front teeth out with a 2x4 when he turned his back. No more problems. Grow some stones. Tazz • 4 days ago I would like to see lawyers, judges and especially prosecutors be accountable for their actions when they with hold evidence and hijack cases. Especialy when their is DNA evidence that is ignored. What makes these cases doubly hard is that the actual killer/s get away due to the tunnel vision, egos or politicial asperations. Post a comment [[ [['Dekraai', 10]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/mourners-remember-seal-beach-shooting-victims-1318620627-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/3/2c/32c8e92d889f42edb719cb5257afdf4e.jpeg', '461', ' ', 'Reuters/Lori Shepler',],[ [['iPhone 4SXXXXXXX', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/thousands-line-up-for-apple-s-iphone-4s-1318602841-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/f/4f/f4f15e8f6f323f5386dc9fdf9e15dca8.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth',]][ [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], '27013743', '0'],[ [['keyword', 9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ]] You on Yahoo! News Your Activity |Social: OFFON Turn Social ONRemind me when I share|Options What is this?Not you? Log out of FacebookHow to remove this experienceLogin with FacebookNews For YouFactors Linked to Age of Onset of Menopause IdentifiedMom Who Lost Kids, Parents in Christmas Fire Attempted Suicide: ReportJay Leno angers Parliament with Mitt Romney jokeBrad Pitt Marrying Angelina and Having More KidsItaly ship captain "wasted precious hour"Drew Carey & Fiancee Call Off EngagementMan gets car ban after 4 children found in trunkBrewer says she meant no disrespect toward ObamaShock Over 10th U.S. President’s Grandsons Still LivingGeorge Soros Admits He's a Traitorous BillionaireLoading... Entertainment News »
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