it is important to read the instructions carefully:
In 1994, three teenage males were convicted for the crimes of murder in West Memphis, Arkansas. Jessie MisKelley Jr, Damien Echols, and Jason Baldwin were tried and convicted for the murder of three 8 year-old boys: Steven Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers. Jessie and Jason received life sentences while Damien, the suspected ring-leader, was sentenced to death.
In August of 2011, all three men made an Alford Plea and were released from jail as time served. An Alford plea is better known as the “I’m guilty but I didn’t do it” defense. Under the Alford plea, the defendant admits that sufficient evidence exists with which the prosecution could likely convince a judge or jury to find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the defendant(s) cannot be charged with these crimes again (Double Jeopardy Law). All three are currently free men and trying to integrate back into society.
In 2013, we are still in search of answers as to what happened to the three 8 year-old boys and who is responsible for their death. Under the Alford plea, Damien, Jason, and Jessie are considered guilty of these crimes. Under our laws, they are considered ex-cons. The state of Arkansas has declared the murders of the three boys a cold case despite questions that have been raised regarding the possible involvement of two of the stepfathers, John Mark Byers and Terry Hobbs.
There are many speculations as to what might have happened if the three men would have chosen to wait for a re-trial. For this paper, present an argument as to what you believe would have been the outcome of such a case. Would the three been found guilty or not guilty? Additionally, this argument will be focused on a specific element of the case. You may choose one of the following: police error/law enforcement mistakes (including false confession), Satanic Panic, or Media Involvement in case. Whichever element you choose to write about will be the sole argument for the paper.
After reviewing all of the court testimonies, documents, evidence, and extra accounts that the real jury did not have access to, you will make a decision and support it with evidence as to the guilt or wrongful conviction of these three young men.
There are a lot of evidence, statements, etc to dig through for this case. However, as a jury member it is imperative that you look at all that is available to you in order to make a sound judgment. The job of a jury member is to: sort through conflicting claims; weigh all evidence as objectively as possible, without personal biases; and uncover the assumptions behind the messages you are hearing.
For the introduction section to your paper (1.5-2 pgs), give an overview of the crimes and how/why these three young men were arrested and charged. Also indicate to your reader what sentences these men received as well as information pertaining to their Alford Plea. You will then follow with a claim about how you will argue the paper (not guilty because of false confessions, not guilty because of multiple police errors, etc). Be sure to back up your arguments with quotes from the trial or other resources. Because this argument is so specific, your reasons and evidence will need to be very clear and logical.
Requirements:
I want you to argue that you support their case. And high light the thesis and the argument and the counter argument.
Paper length: 7 pages
Sources: you have to cite the film that I provide it and you must use at least 2 other academic sources one that I will give it to you and the other you need to add it and 2 public sources you have the choice on that. There have been two books written on the case, Devil’s Knot by Leveritt and Life After Death by Echols. Additionally, there are multitudes of sources through newspapers, magazines, and journals. You may also use scholarly sources related to aspects of your argument: forensic studies, DNA, police procedure, false confessions, etc. You may also use any documentaries that have been made about the case: West of Memphis, etc. A website that will be extremely helpful to you iswww.wm3.org. Absolutely NO Wikipedia or blog postings.
Quotes: No more than 1 block quote will be permitted in this paper.
you have to use Five sources for this paper. One of them should be the film. And two of them should be Academic sources which I will give you one of them and the other one you have to add it and the other public sources that you have to find
The Film source:
http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/west-memphis-3-free-50129311/
Academic sources:
http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.libproxy.udayton.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=39caf58a-b42d-4644-8736-dfba391cf6bf%40sessionmgr4001&vid=3&hid=4113
