EVIDENCE UNEARTHED IN NEW DOCUMENTARY WEST OF MEMPHIS AT THE CENTER OF NEW INVESTIGATION INTO 1993 MURDERS
STATE OF ARKANSAS ADMITS THERE IS AN "ONGOING INVESTIGATION"
JUDGE TO RULE ON REOPENING THE CASE
(October 25, 2012) – At a hearing yesterday on a suit seeking access to police evidence in the West Memphis Three murder case filed by Pam Hicks and John Mark Byers (two of the parents of the children murdered in West Memphis in 1993) the state of Arkansas admitted that there is an ongoing investigation with respect to new affidavits that were submitted to the court. Although the case was considered closed, these affidavits, featured in the investigative documentary West of Memphis, contain new evidence around the case– specifically three eyewitnesses that came forward in December of 2010 that placed Terry Hobbs with the children immediately before they disappeared as well as sworn statements that Terry Hobbs’ nephew, Michael Hobbs Jr., revealed the Hobbs family secret: that his uncle Terry was responsible for the murder of the three children.
Next week, Circuit Court Judge Victor Hill will make a ruling about reopening the case and then decide if the state prosecutor Scott Ellington will have to turn over documents related to the case, including these affidavits that were part of the criminal investigation in the film.
The soon to be released West of Memphis reveals the innocence of the so-called “West Memphis 3”; Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr., through a new investigation the filmmakers producers Sir Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh funded and director Amy Berg incorporated into the plot of the film. The documentary presents new witnesses and forensic evidence that exonerates the three men and points to others as responsible for the murder of the three children. It also uncovers how the Arkansas justice system failed to protect those it was intended to serve.
Director Amy Berg said, “The fact that after watching West of Memphis, the state of Arkansas is considering opening an investigation into what we uncovered in the film is a huge step in the right direction. West of Memphis is a living, breathing film and will continue to evolve, like the story, until there is total justice in this case–this story is far from over.”
Since September 12, 2012 there have been a number of special, free promotional screenings of West of Memphis in the Arkansas and Tennessee area, which helped bring awareness to the film, the case and the ongoing investigation.
Pam Hicks just wants closure. “I am asking for everything! Everything I can get, use and know so that an investigation allows for the right person to pay for this crime.”
West of Memphis will screen in Little Rock, AR on October 30th and November 1st, in Memphis TN on October 30th, and Cordova TN on November 1st. It will open in New York and Los Angeles on December 25, 2012.
Those with important information on this case are urged to call the confidential tip line at 501.556.1775. There is a $200,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the murders of Stevie Branch, Chris Byers and Michael Moore. For further information go to: http://www.westofmemphisfilm.com.
