Was there anything out there that that struck you as unusual or to which the officer replied "Mark Byers.". But the filmmakers aren't answerable to a judge or jury. 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. They were both found guilty on three counts of capital murder, according to the Arkansas Times. }) According to the police report, Hobbs admitted that he had entered Frenchs house and put his arms around her as she came out of the shower. Misskelley still lives in West Memphis and has kept a low profile since his release. Court documents reveal new details in the case of the "West Memphis 3" Residents Jamie Clark Ballard and Carlos Seals were reportedly the last two people to see the boys alive, as reported in Oxygen's "The Forgotten West Memphis Three.". This reminds me of Jeffrey MacDonald's statement "I saw that the back door was open, but that's immaterial I guess." Officer: "You did?" Posted May 20, 2011 May 10th 1993 note, Officer Calvin Stann Burch, representative of the meager info available from 1993 regarding Terry Hobbs. ga('ads.send', { Said to have confessed to killing neighbor's cat. Perhaps this is why he used the word "just" which is not needed. That was you know, help calling, Hobbs says he heard about it but does not remember if he saw it. However, he does not tell us that it is wrong. They never confirmed it to be Terry's hair. . Later in the interview the officer would revisit the picture of Echols sitting in Hobbs's house. However, it also could have been the work of wild animals. None of the DNA matched the three teenagers found guilty of committing these murders. She also found Stevie's pocket knife, which the boy always kept with him, among Hobbs's belongings. When asked whom he heard it from he starts out answering "I don't" as if he was going to say "I don't know." Details below! But says the rest of the accusations in the documentary are false. Instead, defense attorneys say, the tests found DNA from Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of one of the murdered boys. Terry Hobbs: "I don't, Mark?" to bathroom From Sitting Area at "He would have been a heart breaker if. Both Terry and Vicky will be in attendance. In West Memphis, Hobbs worked as an ice cream delivery man and Hicks worked at a restaurant. Davis also acknowledged there was a hair discovered in the knot in the shoelace. ga('ads.send', { "I don't know what they's talking about." One of the 8-year-olds is Hobbs stepson, Stevie Branch. The Messed Up Truth About The West Memphis Three Murders The bodies of all three boys, all eight-years-old, had been found in a creek in Robin Hood Hills, a stretch of forested land in the city that was popular among the children on May 6, 1993. So you didn`t even see them that day at all? asked Hall. Described similar incident happening in his life. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Officer: "Did you go into the woods before you picked up Pam?" Court documents reveal new details in the case of the "West Memphis 3", Mother arrested for leaving children home alone to go to gym, police say. The gruesome nature of their murders led investigators to theorize there was a satanic element to it -- something that wasn't too farfetched in the Bible Belt considering 'Satanic Panic' was still making the rounds back then -- and zero in on Echols, Misskelley Jr., and Baldwin, mischief-makers with an unruly reputation that preceded them. Possesses many knives. After about an hour, Pam Hobbs' sister came out and talked. Both Michael and Steve had bruises across their bodies, while Christopher had bruises as well as lacerations to various parts of his body, and mutilation to his scrotum and penis. The former fire chief, arson investigator and host of the "Truth and Justice" podcast is launching a docu-series titled "The Forgotten West Memphis Three" on Oxygen, which reexamines the 1993. Friend is possible source of mtDNA found at crime scene. How much is reliant on faulty memories? One of the Three's most ardent supporters, Lorri Davis, became pen pals with Echols and eventually married him in jail. }); The new documents. But is that actually responsible? Furthermore, a hair found in one of the ligatures used to bind the boys was found to be consistent with the DNA of Terry Hobbs, Stevie's stepfather, according to court documents obtained by . It doesn`t make it true.. In 1994 . In the last sentence, he changes his language and states, "I've heard about this picture.". He was charged with entering the home of a neighbor and touching her breasts while she was in the shower.According to a report by Hot Springs police, Hobbs assaulted Mildred French, in her home on Dec. 8, 1982. somewhere out here.". Hobbs then left Jacoby's residence by himself. Another hair found on a tree stump near the crime scene was found to be consistent with the DNA of David Jacoby, a friend of Hobbs, according to court documents. The most significant specimen was a hair found in one of the shoelaces used to tie up the dead boys. But it was the testimony of Misskelley, who was brought in for questioning on June 3, 1993, that led to the teenagers' arrests. One of the 8-year-olds is Hobbs' stepson, Stevie Branch. Echols is one of three men found guilty in the brutal murders of three eight-year-old boys in West Memphis in 1993. . She has since expressed her belief that her ex-husband was involved in the murders, citing the discovery of her son's favorite pocket knife in Terry Hobbs' belongings. The debate rages to this day, and no one has a definitive answer. MacDonald knows it is not immaterial or he would not have mentioned it. Following a series of documentaries that cast doubt on the investigation and law enforcements conclusion, high-profile supporters began to rally behind the imprisoned teens, later dubbed the West Memphis Three.. 'Forgotten West Memphis Three' doc aims to give victims of notorious Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers were only 8 years old when they viciously murdered in 1993. Ruff hoped to. He may have wanted to say, This led to heavier scrutiny by the private detectives hired by the Echols appeal team and brought to light the accusations swirling around him. https://www.localmemphis.com/news/web-extras/web-extra-more-from-terry-hobbs-on-his-book-music, Read Terry Hobbs story about the West Memphis Three murders. ga('ads.send', { Baldwin lives in Austin, Texas, where in 2017 he founded the non-profit group Proclaim Justice, which advocates for victims of wrongful convictions. His wife Pam told him that Stevie was riding his bicycle with Michael Moore. That theory is the premise of the latest documentary West of Memphis. Johnny Depp (L) and Damien Echols attend Damien Echols In Conversation With Johnny Depp at Barnes & Noble Union Square on September 21, 2012 in New York City. Morgan had a lengthy history of alcohol and drug abuse and was presumed to be familiar with all three boys as he used to drive an ice cream truck in their neighborhood, and in a polygraph exam, detectives in California determined he was showing deception when he denied involvement in the murders. How much of this evidence would hold up in court? Prosecutors then offered the West Memphis Three a plea deal. Ex-wife's family contacted police saying he may have committed the murders. However, it also could have been the. Here is how Hobbs concluded the interview. }); Criminal record and admissions of drug use and dealing. "But for them to try to blame it on Mark, blame it on me, blame it on, and not, not let somebody rest from this is wrong." This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. },false) Four new possible suspects in the brutal killings of three boy scouts in Arkansas in 1993 have been named by attorneys in the case - and the stepfather of one of the boys is among them. Motivations For Investigating The West Memphis Case, Timeline Of The West Memphis Three Victims, Whats known is that three 8-year-old boys. Multiple accusations by ex-wife's family and his daughter regarding sexual acts involving his daughter and his stepson. Had Stevie's prize knife even thoughfamily believes Stevie kept it with him at all times and would have had it at the time of the murder. He then goes on to tell the officer about something that he did not see but only heard about. The second-graders' bodies were found bruised and mutilated in a West Memphis, Arkansas, ditch; . The boys were known to have played in the storm-drains around their neighborhood. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Well sure, said Hobbs. Restraining order for spanking neighbor's child. hitType: 'event', 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. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { The ensuing manhunt, trials, and convictions captivated the small town and drew big-time media attention. In 1993, such . Alleged to have admitted to having discovered the victims before the police. I can't think of his name, but I think he was gonna go with For a start, there's the minimal DNA evidence found at the crime scene. ga('ads.send', { I walked within 10 or 15 feet of where the bodies were found.". In 2007, DNA testing came back matching a hair found in the shoelaces as Terry Hobbs'. Sometimes justice is neither pretty, nor is it perfect, but it was important to take this opportunity to be free., Since their release, West Memphis authorities confirmed that some evidence in the case"might have been destroyed" in a fire "around 15 years ago.". Hobbs, along with his daughter Amanda, drove Pam to her workplace. 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. He was not asked what he heard but was asked about what he "saw." Just going to touch back again on this picture that you This is not a theory of who did this, this is evidence, said an attorney. "If Michael Moore or Christopher Byers had a piece of my hair on shoes strings, these little boys came to my home and played with our little boy pretty regularly," Hobbs said. The Hobbses are the mother and stepfather of Steve Branch, who was one of three 8-year-old boys found murdered in May last year, in a wooded area near where the family used to live in West Memphis . The word "just" is used to minimize things. Seems like Gary talked to (Memphis) Its a murder mystery thats captivated America for the last twenty years: the West Memphis Three. And they said The sneaker ligatures in which Terry Hobbs' DNA was found in," Soury said. https://hotspringsarts.org/workshop-sign-up/, The Opperman Report: Terry Hobbs~Boxful of Nightmares, https://www.facebook.com/hotspringsareaculturalalliance/. Thursday, Hobbstold Action News 5 he didn't do it. Multiple instances of contradictory statements. Another possible suspect that police never thoroughly investigated was another teenager, Chris Morgan. Unless Hobbs actually goes on trial, we won't ever know. Michael Carson's Interview. In aid of their cause, they supplement their version of the facts with evocative music, close-ups of Hobbs's shifty eyes, excerpts of his evasive responses to tough questions about his past, and smears from people who have reason to dislike him independent of any suspicion about the murders. . Pam Hobbs has said she does not believe the three men who were originally convicted for the crimes were guilty of murdering her son and his friends. "A gripping documentary," said the Guardian's review. of 72 and that his , mental capacity rendered his confession involuntary, according to court documents obtained by, He was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in February 1994, according to the, Echols and Baldwin went on trial a month later, and the prosecution argued they had murdered the boys in a Satanic ritual. Terry Hobbs admitted to 1982 sexual assault Mara Leveritt Her home later burnt down. New evidence points to new suspects in West Memphis 3 case - Action News 5 might be pertinent, or, or have some value uhh to this case at all. Hobbs says he hopes the three eventually tell the truth one day and apologize, but until then Hobbs says he has to live with the story that many people believe. Its one thats sparked documentaries, a handful of books, even a movie that is about to be released. Terry Hobbs is the stepfather of Stevie Branch. pg.acq.push(function() { Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of one of the three childrren murdered in West Memphis in 1993 and whose DNA was recently found inside one of the knots used in the killing, was arrested 11 years before those murders in Hot Springs. He said that one of the boys had likely been mutilated more than others, raising suspicion because, "at the time Echols made the statement, there was no public knowledge that one of the children had been mutilated more severely than the others.". For them, somebody eventually said something. I don`t know how much clearer I have to make it.. They were released on Aug. 19, 2011. Evidence in West Memphis Three case missing or destroyed - Action News 5 The police sent their findings, as well as blood and urine samples to their counterparts in West Memphis, but there is no indication he was ever investigated as a suspect. might forward to the prosecuting attorney if, if necessary, ummm," Whoopi Goldberg interrupts 'The View' live segment, raises her voice and hits co-host, Demi Moore has not left Bruce Willis's side and is doing everything to make his 'last moments happy', 'Liza took a final breath and sighed': Liza Burke, 21, dies 6 weeks after stage 4 cancer diagnosis, Baywatch star Jeremy Jacksons ex-wife Loni Willison spotted looking for food in LA waste, Archie Blake: Boy, 11, mauled by shark while snorkeling just meters away from shore during family trip. Jacoby further testified, "I was not in Robin Hood Hills Woods searching for Stevie or other missing children alone or with Terry Hobbs on May 5th, 1993 at or near 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m." Jacoby contradicts what Hobbs is telling the officer. Homicides in 2022: Police data shows who, what, why, Memphis seeks a blueprint for police reform, How departments can help protect officers mental, Bane ready to follow in Jackson and Morants footsteps, Dillon Brooks future in Memphis uncertain heading, NBA fined Dillon Brooks $25K for violating media, Brooks fined $25K for violating interview access, Grizzlies season comes to a close after blowout loss, Kennard in question as tip time approaches for Game, Grizzlies Kennard listed as questionable before, Veteran head coach Rick Stansbury joins Penny Hardaways, Johnathan Lawson decides to put his name in the transfer, Memphis signee Mikey Williams pleads not guilty, Hardaway says top recruit Mikey Williams remains, Memphis basketball top recruit Mikey Williams arrested, Penny Hardaway loses top assistant to Texas, Former Lady Vol Alex Simmons introduced as Memphis, Davis and Williams repping the Tigers at Portsmouth, Whitehaven High mourns loss of beloved band director, SCSO investigates after inmate dies of breathing, 19-year-old almost robbed at gunpoint in his driveway, Nikki Echols of Highland Oaks Elementary School is, BestReviews.com - Top gifts to make everyone happy this spring, Surprise your mom with one of these Mothers Day, Mothers Day inspo: This foot massager has 20,000, Drew Barrymores Walmart collection is perfect for, Best Mothers Day gifts for the budding plant mom, Best Mothers Day Gifts for moms obsessed with books, 5 new restaurants to try in the Memphis area, Happy the dog finds a home after 10 years in a shelter, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. At one point, the filmmakers attempt to construct a motive for the crime. To learn more, watch The Forgotten West Memphis Three on Oxygen.com. The appeal also stated that he was scared of officers and thought he might be given reward money.