New Trial Sought For West Memphis Three's Misskelley
[Error filled account of Jessie's hearing in Jonesboro. Read it for the big picture...]
Attorney Deems Client was Incompetent
Jill Monier
JONESBORO, Ark. - 16 years after being convicted for killing 3 West Memphis boys, Jessie Miskelley's court appearances continue. Friday, his new attorney tried to convince a Jonesboro judge to grant Miskelley a new trial based on the fact he had inadequate representation during his 1994 trial.
Miskelley, Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols were convicted of killing Christopher Byers, Stevie Branch and Michael Moore. Their bodies were found nude, in a West Memphis drainage ditch.
Police say Miskelley originally confessed to the murders, But his lawyer at the time says Miskelley had the mind of a child and only confessed because he thought it meant he could go home.
One victim's father, Matt Byers, was at the Jonesboro hearing.
He's told FOX13 before he's not convinced the men behind bars are the killers.
"I basically hated them with every fiber in my body. I just knew they were guilty until about seven months ago when I got started thinking for myself. For years I always believed what the state of Arkansas told me."
Miskelley's former attorney says in 1994, he was focused on his client accepting a plea deal and missed signs that he was incapable of understanding what was going on.
He told a judge, Miskelley was unable to understand the role of an attorney. He said his former client only understood yes, no or multiple choice questions and constantly changed his story.
The assistant state Attorney General claims Miskelley did get adequate legal help and only changed his story to appear less involved in the boy's death.
The hearing continues in August. Miskelley is serving a life sentence plus 40-years.
Jason Baldwin is also asking for a new trial. The judge already turned down an appeal by Damien Echols, who is on death row.
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*Spells Jessie's surname wrong (depicting him in ADC uniform which is also has has his name spelled incorrectly)
*It's now 15 years after his conviction, not 16... It's almost 16 years Jessie, Jason and Damien have been *unjustly imprisoned* but I doubt that's what she's trying to say. If so, I take it back!
*Doesn't mention Dan Stidham or Gregory Crow by name, calling whoever testified his "lawyer at the time". Both appeared at April's hearings, so which one was she talking about?
*Doesn't mention Jessie's current attorney, Jeff Rosensweig, calling him "his new attorney".
*Refers to JMB "Matt" Byers. Really?
*Says Burnett turned down "an" appeal by Damien, not appeals with an S. Not to mention the state supreme court ALSO turned down his appealS with an S.
Just throwing this out there, Jill, but if you see any of us supporters hanging around-- just ask us and we'll help you out with the facts! Better yet, if you use that laptop in front of you, visit wm3.org for all names and their proper spellings. That's what we're here for...