Paradise Lost is one of the most haunting documentaries I've ever seen. It's been years since I watched it, but I still can't get the opening sequence - police footage of the victim's naked bodies being examined at the crime scene - out of my head. Simply horrifying.

Sent by andy carvin, npr | 12:38 PM ET | 04-11-2008

It's infuriating that these 3 are still behind bars.
Somebody did murder those children, but it wasn't those 3 boys/men.

Sent by Catherine Bassett | 1:35 PM ET | 04-11-2008

I lived in West Memphis at the time of the murders. I remember the case well, as well as the makers of the Paradise Lost films, and their agenda to show the citizens of West Memphis as ignorant, superstitious and cruel.

The Paradice Lost films told the tale of a modern day witch hunt where the evils of small towns and small minds destroy those individuals who don't fit in. That tale is gripping. That tale is haunting. But that tale doesn't tell the full story.

People should not mistake the Paradise Lost films as unbiased investigative journalism. The films about the West Memphis 3 are meticulously crafted to make an engaging, emotional story for entertainment's sake. To make their point the filmmakers edited out much of the evidence of the case that did not support their narrative of the cruelties of small town justice gone wild. The films are not unbiased, fair, or true, and should not be mistaken as such.

I strongly believe that the convicted should have the full protection afforded to them by the appeals process, However, I urge people not to base their opinions solely on what they've seen in these heavily biased films.

Sent by Michael Ford | 6:42 PM ET | 04-11-2008

Interesting how Ms. Peck (whoever that is) is using the WM3 to promote her restaurant.

Sent by Chrisitan B. | 8:12 PM ET | 04-11-2008

I was pretty disappointed with the focus of this article. This article makes the same mistake as a lot of coverage on this miscarriage in playing up the "goth" angle/human interest. Please, your audience deserves more than that. The author seems to know little about this case. If the author focused on the facts of this case, and the facts that we know now they would not make this seem like such a grey case. This case hinged on the murder being a Satanic ritual abuse because of how mutilated the bodies were. A much more plausible explanation for the mutilation has been presented by national forensics experts including the man who identified identified Ted Bundy from his dental records, namely that it was the result of animals. Please see the press legal defense's presentation of the new forensic evidence at:

http://www.wm3.org/live/newsevents/newsitem.php?news_Id=160

Please note that even the FBI agent that was initially signed to this case speaks for the defense in the above clip.

Shame on you NPR for a half-ass job. The story of the West Memphis Three should be causing outrage.

Sent by Keith | 4:32 PM ET | 04-13-2008

Stating Misskelley confessed 3 times is actually misleading. The second statement he gave was, with guidance/coercion from the investigators, to correct all the factual mistakes he made in the first, as the judge would not sign the warrent due to so many inaccuracies. However, in all 3 statements he contends that he "saw" what happened but did not take part. Misskelley made up this tale to get the reward money but in his limited intellect said enough to allow police to charge him as well. No matter which version you hear, none could possibly be an accurate portrayal of this hideous crime. It is obvious that Misskelley had no idea who committed this crime because he was not there. Hair evidence was found at the scene as well as foot prints and other items, none of which could be linked to the 3 young men convicted or the 3 victims.

The facts of this case are infuriating. The West Memphis police went on a religious hyped witch hunt against the advice of the FBI and have allowed the true perpetrator of a vicious murder of three 8 year old boys to go unpunished. A new trial is the least this case deserves.

Sent by Michael | 2:05 AM ET | 04-15-2008

I saw the first Paradise Lost film, and, it seemed clear to me that the evidence itself didn't fit; and now, DNA evidence has been filed. If you actually look at crime stats across the nation, few violent crimes are punished correctly. The people behind bars are usually there because of race, in this case, it is because of belief.

Sent by Carey C. | 10:37 AM ET | 04-15-2008

To Michael Ford formerly of West Memphis: the makers of the PL documentaries did not intentionally try to make Arkansans out to be hicks. That is mainly just what we are, and we didn't neglect to present that of our own accord. One cannot claim that the film makers from Radical were biased as they left out much unseen footage of Judge Burnett making hand signals to the prosecution team during the trials. They also left out footage of the jury playing hangman, and otherwise occupying themselves, while expert testimony from the defense was being presented. To Ms. Christian: it is not that Ms. Peck is using the WM3 to promote her restaurant. She is putting her business on the line by promoting the WM3 cause, not a popular one, in Arkansas. I am her business partner, and can assure you we've had people say they would never come back because or our stance. Yet, after challenging them to go to websites to look at the facts, we have seen many of those same people return.

Sent by Brent Peterson | 2:14 PM ET | 06-21-2008

At the end of your article here, you state that the Defense is now claiming that when Damien "confessed" at the softball field he was not being serious. That statement is misleading, as the Echols' current legal team has not made that admission. What they have said, precisely is this, from the filed Writ: "Whatever Damien Echols may or may not have said at a softball game in late May of 1993 in response to whatever taunts others may directed at him, at most he was acting in defiant bravado or, as Mrs. Medford states, "simply trying to draw attention to himself." After withstanding many hours of grilling by Detective Ridge on May 10th, Echols did not then in seriousness shout out a confession to a crowd at a ball game three weeks later. "

So, they aren't saying he "confessed", they are simply saying that anything Damien may have said regarding the case at all was not to be taken seriously.

Just thought I should bring that up. You're not completely incorrect, just a hair misleading is all.

I believe what has probably happened is Damien cannot recall that evening, and probably has SOME recollection of being at the softball field, but not exactly when or what he said when he was there. That's my opinion, of course.

I'd like to encourage WM3 Supporters in Arkansas to keep your eyes peeled for local newstories & newspaper articles on the case, and don't be shy about responding to them. Although this statement above was a bit misleading TO ME, there are large mistakes being made by government officials making comments to the press in AR that shouldn't go unanswered, and they'll not want to listen to those of us living outside AR.

Sent by Boohiss13 | 8:41 PM ET | 06-22-2008

You may learn much more about the current state of this case by visiting
http://freewestmemphis3.org/

Sent by Laird Williams | 5:57 PM ET | 07-14-2008