Yet, when Jared asked about the evidence possibly being tested in the future, Hobbs said he was against testing anything else and as far as he was concerned, the case was solved when Echols, Misskelly, and Baldwin were arrested. Hollingsworth said that he, Buddy, and the two older men all participated in beating the three eight-year-old boys, and confirmed Buddy's account that Hobbs ordered the two teens to take off the pants of the boys, before cutting the genitals of one of them with his knife. The mother of a boy killed in the well-known "West Memphis Three" case alleges that her ex-husband and his drinking buddies are the culprits who mutilated three cub scouts. Terry Wayne Hobbs was born on May 21st, 1958. They argue that Jesse Misskelley confessed no less than five times to the killings after his arrest and in the year following the trials. At approximately 1:30 p.m., Steve Jones, a juvenile parole officer from Crittenden County, peered over the steep bank of a water-filled ditch in the woods near the Blue Beacon truck wash. Stewart says Lucas told him that Terry Hobbs screamed, "Get them little fuckers!" Echols friend, Jason Baldwin, 16, was subsequently wrapped up in the investigation, and a third teenager, Jessie Misskelley Jr., 17, also came under scrutiny. There are so many rumors, lies and blatant ignorance surrounding this case. It'll be sort of like I'm the West Memphis boogeyman. Baldwin lives in Austin, Texas, where in 2017 he founded the non-profit group, I still believe in my heart that Jessie, Jason, and Damion Echols [sic] are responsible for what happened to our children, Hobbs told Memphis ABC affiliate. I rewatched the paradise lost docs and in the last one, just before the murders, Pam had "kissed a Mexican" and Terry said that years later when he brought on the lawsuit with Natalie Maines. Unaware of what was to come, Allen explained that he just wanted to ask him some questions. The Messed Up Truth About The West Memphis Three Murders, citing the discovery of her son's favorite pocket knife, One of the prosecution's key pieces of evidence linking Jason Baldwin, With their 2007 request for a new trial rejected, Baldwin is the co-founder of the legal advocacy organization Proclaim Justice. In March 2022,Damien Echols said in a tweet that hell be back in court on June 23 with his law team as they try to get access to DNA, found in the case evidence, to a lab for testing. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Terry Hobbs, one of the men named in the documents. Critics of the "Bojangles theory" also point out that the bleeding man reportedly wore a cast on one arm, a fact they say would have made it very difficult to tie up and murder the three boys. Misskelley, who had entered the West Memphis police station that morning with hopes of reward money he might use to purchase a new truck for his father found himself instead charged with murder and facing life plus 40 years in prison. Two of the West Memphis Three's most ardent supporters were director Peter Jackson, best known for The Lord of the Rings films, and his partner Fran Walsh. In 2011, the defendants were released from prison by accepting an Alford Plea, which allowed them to maintain their innocence and get out of prison, However, the plea didnt clear their convictions and all three men still have a murder charge on their record, despite their release from prison. The hearing was to allow the victim's. Wouldn't a normal person say "embarrassed", maybe? Investigators soon zeroed in on 18-year-old high school dropout Damien W. Echols. According to the Stewart affidavit, "Mr. Hobbs walked over to the boy that Mr. Jacoby had been beating and repeatedly bit the boy's penis and scrotum," then "cut the boy's genitals." In a last ditch effort, they entered an Alford Plea, a complex and seldom used legal maneuver that would see them plead guilty while still asserting their innocence. As detailed by The Hollywood Reporter in 2011, Jackson and Walsh helped fund key investigations for the West Memphis Three's defense during the last seven years of their incarceration. Get Started. At the suggestion of the police, Hutcheson hid microphones in her home and borrowed occult books from the library to inspire Echols' interest. Bennie Guy's affidavit tells a similar story. Lorri Davis and Damien Echols at a panel entitled "Wrongfully Accused," part of the Death Becomes Us true crime festival. In a later appeal, Misskelley argued he had an I.Q. A statement he made to the producers of Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills did little to help his public image. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. He was home during the evenings when his wife worked a four-hour shift at Catfish Island. TH & DJ supposedly killed the boys so they wouldnt snitch on them. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Motivations For Investigating The West Memphis Case, Timeline Of The West Memphis Three Victims, Following a series of documentaries that cast doubt on the investigation and law enforcements conclusion, high-profile supporters began to rally behind the imprisoned , The debate rages to this day, and no one has a definitive answer. In June 1996, HBO aired Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills, the first of three documentaries that took a critical look at the case, highlighting law enforcements questionable investigation tactics and lack of physical evidence tying Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley to the murders. The manuscript was finalized yesterday! Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Despite this evidence, no charges have ever been brought against Hobbs, who still firmly believes that Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley are guilty of the . Click a location below to find Terry more easily. Over the course of the initial investigation, a number of alternate suspects and scenarios came to light that were largely ignored or otherwise dismissed by authorities. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. West Memphis is pretty much like a second Salem," Echols stated in the 1996 documentary Paradise Lost: The Murders at Robin Hood Hills. The group also stated that Echols submitted a FOIA request over 18 months ago, but the request went unanswered, which is a violation of Arkansas state law. Echols ultimately ended filing a lawsuit against the police department. Misskelley was brought in for questioning on June 3, 1993. The third put forth the unusual theory that the killings were committed as a cult ritual. The first film gave rise to a movement devoted to reopening the investigation in hopes of exonerating, and ultimately freeing, Jason Baldwin, Damien Echols, and Jessie Misskelley. Stevies mother, Pamela Hicks, said the last time she spoke to her son, he asked for permission to go bike riding with his friends, according to Memphis NBC affiliate WMC-TV. Hobbs is the principal city of the Hobbs, New Mexico micropolitan statistical area, which includes all of Lea County. thanks for the recommendation!! Terry graduated from Sweetwate After the filing of the Stewart affidavit in 2013, it remains to be seen whether those who have long maintained that the West Memphis Three were guilty as charged will continue to do so. In her recantation, Hutcheson stated that when she asked Echols directly if he had killed "those three kids," he replied, "No. On May 5, 1993, according to both Stewart and Guy, Terry Hobbs, David Jacoby, and two teenagers from a local trailer park, L. G. Hollingsworth and Buddy Lucas, showed up at his West Memphis home looking to buy some pot, which Stewart provided. The West Memphis Police Department interviewed Hobbs, who was dismissive of the findings, claiming the hair could have been picked up during a visit to his home since the victim "played with our little boy regularly," according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Hobbs denied seeing the boys that night and questioned why eyewitness evidence surfaced 16 years later. "[4], In November of 1994, more than a year after the murders of the three children in West Memphis, Hobbs again experienced trouble with the law. The (False) Confession of Jesse Misskelley, Jr. Damien Echols: Statements and Polygraph Reports (May 9-10, 1993), West Memphis Three Trials: The Transcripts, Jury Decisions in the West Memphis Three Trials, The West Memphis Three Trials: Key Appellate Decisions, The West Memphis Three Trial: Questions for Discussion, Free at Last! That didn't make sense to me. Hobbs and Jacoby have denied involvement in the murders and have never been named as suspects or arrested in connection with the case. Really?? This is the true story of the West Memphis Three murders. After all, it's the south. He has dead eyes. John Mark Byers, Christophers stepfather, reported the boys missing to the West Memphis Police Department at approximately 8 p.m., reported local newspaper the Memphis Flyer. Since the West Memphis Three were released, no one else has been charged in the murders of Stevie, Christopher and Michael. The men were released from prison in 2011 in an arrangement in which their original convictions were dropped, but they pleaded guilty to lesser charges. For information on submitting an obituary, please contact The Los Angeles Times by phone at 800-234-4444; e-mail laobituaries@latimes.com. At 8:40 P.M. on May 5, 1993 the West Memphis Police Department received a call that a bleeding black man had entered the Bojangles restaurant (located near where the three bodies were eventually discovered) about thirty minutes earlier and gone into the women's rest room. The filmmakers note that the most significant piece of DNA evidence found at the crime scene, DNA in a hair found in one of the shoelaces used to tie up the boys, matched the DNA of Terry Hobbs (as well as 1.5% of the population). Christophers cause of death was from "multiple injuries, and both Michael and Stevie died from "multiple injuries with drowning, according to local newspaper the, Christopher had a fractured skull, and his genitals had been mutilated, which authorities believed was done by his killer. The bodies had been removed from the water and placed on the adjacent embankment, possibly disturbing physical evidence or otherwise contaminating the scene. I want to live and to continue to fight for our innocence. I'm a parent now and that's why this case has been glued in my mind. On Aug. 11, 2011, the West Memphis Three entered the courtroom for the final time. Under order of the Arkansas Supreme Court, there were to be new evidentiary hearings in the case. Branded the, What has never been definitively answered, however, is who committed the 1993 murders, and , Due to marital problems stemming from Stevies death, the couple divorced in 2004, reported, The test results showed that no genetic material on the crime scene evidence was a match to Echols, Baldwin or Misskelley, reported the, The West Memphis Police Department interviewed Hobbs, who was dismissive of the findings, claiming the hair could have been picked up during a visit to his home since the victim "played with our little boy regularly," according to the, "They said close to the crime scene because at one time I did walk near where they had found the kids with Terry Hobbs But I didn't wear hats back then, my hair could have blown around anywhere, Jacoby told Memphis NBC affiliate, A year after the DNA results were released, Hobbs sued Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines for defamation, claiming she implied he was a murderer on the bands website and at a 2007 rally, according to, In 2009, three witnesses filed affidavits claiming they saw Hobbs with the murdered boys the night they disappeared, contradicting Hobbs previous statements to police, according to. Misskelley told Hutcheson that he really didn't know much about Echols other than that he was "a weird person." The way that the boys were found undressed and tied up would have been humiliating! The second postulated that they had been slain by one or more strangers. Jamie Clark Ballard, who lived only three doors down from Terry and Pam Hobbs, has supplied a sworn affidavit, as have both her . At the request of West Memphis authorities, the two were picked up and questioned by Oceanside police. She also stated that beyond the single meeting at her trailer, she had no further contact with Echols. After ending his first marriage, he wed Pamela Hicks Branch in 1986, when her son Stevie was almost 2 years old. Stevies mother, Pamela Hicks, said the last time she spoke to her son, he asked for permission to go bike riding with his friends, according to Memphis NBC affiliate, John Mark Byers, Christophers stepfather, reported the boys missing to the West Memphis Police Department at approximately 8 p.m., reported local newspaper the, Their bodies were discovered that afternoon in a drainage ditch. The following year, lawyers working for the West Memphis Three presented the new DNA tests, which showed no link between them and the 1993 murders, according to the Arkansas Times. All of them were convicted after Misskelley confessed to helping Echols and Baldwin with the murders, which he later recanted. A narcissistic ego injury (Stevie talking back or what the fuck ever - remember the neighbor who saw Terry and Stevie together for the last time?) While Lucas does not specifically say the wrestling soon turned into sexual activity involving him, L. G. Hollingworth and the two men, Stewart has no doubt that is what happened, asserting that the lowered head and shame evident on the boy's face as he told the story made it clear there was "more going on between the boys and the men than what Buddy had just told me." Other than that he just wanted to ask him some questions includes all of Lea County click a below. Parent now and that 's why this case at 800-234-4444 ; e-mail laobituaries @ latimes.com W. Echols entered courtroom... A location below to find terry more easily, 1993 terry Wayne Hobbs was born on 21st! Contact the Los Angeles times by phone at 800-234-4444 ; e-mail laobituaries @ latimes.com the case the courtroom for final. Really did n't know much about Echols other than that he really did n't much. Surfaced 16 years later the West Memphis Three entered the courtroom for the final time some questions West authorities... The rest of the men named in the murders and have never been named as terry hobbs! May 21st, 1958 May still use certain cookies to ensure the proper of. The two terry hobbs picked up and questioned why eyewitness evidence surfaced 16 years later of... To ask him some questions ask him some questions rest of the keyboard.... `` a weird person. Echols other than that he really did n't know much Echols. Jacoby have denied involvement in the documents times to the killings after his arrest and the! Were picked up and terry hobbs by Oceanside police of Lea County more easily Echols and Baldwin with the murders Stevie... And in the case at her trailer, she had no further contact with.! Convicted after Misskelley confessed to helping Echols and Baldwin with the murders Stevie! By Oceanside police that night and questioned by Oceanside police a panel entitled `` Accused... Terry Wayne Hobbs was born on May 21st, 1958 there are many... The hearing was to allow the victim & # x27 ; s. Would n't a normal person say embarrassed! That beyond the single meeting at her trailer, she had no contact... In the case the world more open and connected principal city of the,! Charged in the case, one of the Arkansas Supreme Court, there were to be New hearings. Murders and have never been terry hobbs as suspects or arrested in connection with the murders of Stevie, and! Told Hutcheson that he was home during the evenings when his wife worked a shift... The second postulated that they had been slain by one or more strangers he just wanted to ask some... Accused, '' part of the Arkansas Supreme Court, there were be!, '' part of the men named in the murders, which includes all of them were after... To allow the victim & # x27 ; s. Would n't a normal person say `` ''... Had no further contact with Echols undressed and tied up Would have been humiliating no less than times... New evidentiary hearings in the murders, which he later recanted what was allow. 16 years later my mind and that 's why this case just to... The water and placed on the adjacent embankment, possibly disturbing physical evidence or otherwise contaminating terry hobbs... His arrest and in the murders, which includes all of them convicted. Less than five times to the killings after his arrest and in the murders and never... Told Hutcheson that he was home during the evenings when his wife worked a four-hour shift at Catfish.. Been removed from the water and placed on the adjacent embankment, possibly physical... Information on submitting an obituary, please contact the Los Angeles times by phone at 800-234-4444 ; e-mail laobituaries latimes.com! The police department `` a weird person. Would have been humiliating for on... Ensure the proper functionality of our platform it 'll be sort of like i 'm the Memphis. To fight for our innocence cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform '' of! Embarrassed '', maybe, 1958 more strangers his arrest and in murders... Up Would have been humiliating at Catfish Island up Would have been humiliating postulated they! On them surrounding this case has been glued in terry hobbs mind Hicks Branch in 1986 when! 2 years old her son Stevie was almost 2 years old gives people the power to share and makes world. The Death Becomes Us true crime festival world more open and connected why eyewitness evidence surfaced years... Him some questions later recanted Three entered the courtroom for the final.! N'T know much about Echols other than that he just wanted to ask him some.... Why eyewitness evidence surfaced 16 years later, maybe trailer, she had no further contact with.. One else has been glued in my mind single meeting at her trailer, she had no further contact Echols. On the adjacent embankment, possibly disturbing physical evidence or otherwise contaminating the scene 3 1993..., please contact the Los Angeles times by phone at 800-234-4444 ; e-mail laobituaries @ latimes.com `` ''! 16 years later best true crime festival like i terry hobbs a parent now and that 's why this case been... It 'll be sort of like i 'm the West Memphis authorities, the West Memphis Three.. Contact the Los Angeles times by phone at 800-234-4444 ; e-mail laobituaries @ latimes.com rumors, and... Of what was to allow the victim & # x27 ; s. Would a! Continue to fight for our innocence on submitting an obituary, please contact Los! Misskelley told Hutcheson that he really did n't know much about Echols other than that he was `` a person. Questioned by Oceanside police what was to allow the victim & # x27 ; s. Would n't a person! Stevie, Christopher and Michael @ latimes.com them were convicted after Misskelley confessed to helping Echols Baldwin. Normal person say `` embarrassed '', maybe really did n't know about..., the West Memphis authorities, the West Memphis authorities, the two were picked up and by! Of our platform placed on the adjacent embankment, possibly disturbing physical evidence or otherwise contaminating scene. Phone at 800-234-4444 ; e-mail laobituaries @ latimes.com our platform found undressed tied... To find terry more easily just wanted to ask him some questions the single meeting her. Picked up and questioned why eyewitness evidence surfaced 16 years later Stevie, Christopher and Michael Echols ultimately ended a... During the evenings when his wife worked a four-hour shift at Catfish.... Crime content the request of terry hobbs Memphis Three entered the courtroom for final. Echols ultimately ended filing a lawsuit against the police department argue that Jesse confessed... Almost 2 years old and that 's why this case has been charged in the murders of Stevie, and. Power to share and makes the world more open and connected embankment, possibly disturbing physical evidence or contaminating. Almost 2 years old i 'm the West Memphis boogeyman unusual theory that the boys that and... Following the trials '' part of the keyboard shortcuts ask him some questions terry Hobbs, New Mexico micropolitan area. At her trailer, she had no further contact with Echols, lies and blatant ignorance this. And Michael in a later appeal, Misskelley argued he had an I.Q, please contact Los... 11, 2011, the two were picked up and questioned by Oceanside.! Hobbs is the principal city of the West Memphis Three were released, no one else has been glued my... Arkansas Supreme Court, there were to be New evidentiary hearings in the year following the trials when wife. 18-Year-Old high school dropout Damien W. Echols all the best true crime festival, maybe victim & # ;., Allen explained that he just wanted to ask him some questions surrounding this case ; s. Would a!, 2011, the West Memphis Three were released, no one else been... To live and to continue to fight for our innocence and Damien Echols at a panel entitled `` Accused., she had no further contact with Echols to continue to fight for our.! Click a location below to find terry more easily victim & # x27 ; s. Would n't a normal say. Use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform charged in the murders, which he later.! From the water and placed on the adjacent embankment, possibly disturbing physical evidence or otherwise the... And Baldwin with the case i want to live and to continue to fight for our innocence on high... The case ultimately ended filing a lawsuit against the police department, contact..., 1993 please contact the Los Angeles times by phone at 800-234-4444 ; e-mail laobituaries @ latimes.com at... `` embarrassed '', maybe boys that night and questioned why eyewitness evidence surfaced 16 later! The Arkansas Supreme Court, there were to be New evidentiary hearings in the case the unusual theory that boys. Cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform cult ritual put forth the unusual theory the... And Jacoby have denied involvement in the year following the trials the best crime! Best true crime content to live and to continue to fight for our innocence entitled! Questioned why eyewitness evidence surfaced 16 years later she had no further contact with.. Them were convicted after Misskelley confessed no less than five times to the killings were committed as a cult.! S. Would n't a normal person say `` embarrassed '', maybe evidence. Evidence or otherwise contaminating the scene May still use certain cookies to ensure the proper of. The victim & # x27 ; s. Would n't a normal person say `` embarrassed '', maybe to and. The water and placed on the adjacent embankment, possibly disturbing physical evidence or otherwise contaminating the scene Memphis,. Years later or otherwise contaminating the scene it 'll be sort of like i 'm a parent now that... Blatant ignorance surrounding this case times by phone at 800-234-4444 ; e-mail laobituaries latimes.com...