I Was Almost Executed For A Crime I Didn’t Commit: West Memphis Three
소스 코드
- 게시일 2024. 04. 19.
- Aria Inthavong ( / ariainthavong ) speaks with Damien Echols (www.damienechols.com/), who spent eighteen years on death row after being wrongfully convicted of the murders of three children as part of the "West Memphis Three."
SPECIAL THANKS to DAMIEN ECHOLS & LORRI DAVIS
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EXTERNAL CREDITS
Damien Echols
damienechols.com/
![[한글자막] god 박준형에게 32살에는 뭘 해야 하는지 묻다](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/54lczA7IgzI/mqdefault.jpg)
Damien was a very kind and gracious interviewee, and if it weren’t for time, I wish I could’ve kept more of his fascinating insights. Hopefully some of you enjoy hearing from him! I’d also love to speak with more true crime figures, so please let me know if there’s anyone in particular that you’d want to see an interview with!
I can't wait to see more of your work Aria! This interview was amazing. If you can speak to other true crime figures, maybe like survivors or even criminals that are guilty, it would be great. Either way, proud of your work!
Would totally love that!
Wagwan lmao
It would be interesting to see you interview Chris Watts. Well done. I enjoy listening to your interviews.
Sarah Turney! Just yesterday her father was arrested for the murder of her sister in 2001. Sarah has a whole podcast about her sister, Alyssa Turney, and the case.
People say there was no justice for the kids and that's true, but there will never be justice for these 3 men who had their lives robbed for political reasons. This case is just sad and frustrating over all. The justice system sucks.
Instead punishing the killers of 3 victims they just added 3 more to the list.
John Marksman that proves nothing you weirdo
They are guilty... How about you actually look into the case as a whole and not just look at the biased info.
@@anthonyhutchins2300 what in the case though? last time i checked there were two (2) pieces of evidence in the ENTIRE case, and both of those were tied to other men and not the kids that were arrested.
they could be guilty for all we know
It's really admirable how he managed to turn his life around despite his terrible situation, most people would end up bitter and waste away.
I know for sure I’d have gone insane. This man is so mentally strong. I can’t help but think of the people who are in prison, who have a mind like me. Who don’t have the mental fortitude to come out in one piece.
Not really. Most guys that get out after being wrongfully accused in interviews seem to be level headed and not jaded.
I know I would. I don't have the mental fortitude not to immediately expect them to pay me back for the 15 years they took... I certainly would end up back in prison.
aiDan K. He didn’t need to turn his life around. He just needed to return to the life that was stolen from him
@@personalcheeses8073 I didn't mean that he did something wrong, sorry if it came off that way.
I had the same english teacher for 3 years in Highschool (10-12) and every year he covered this story. I am from Arkansas, and he almost lost his job every year for teaching us this story. Other teachers always complained about how loud his classes were during the month we talked about it, because it woukd cause such a heated debate every single day, every single period. Students would talk about nothing else. And this was during 2017-2019. And happened years before and even last year. This story needs to be told. Expecially with how the government is right now.
Wow, sounds like a cool and brave teacher that i would love to have had!
wsg man lol
talking about debates, consider checking @daily_discourse on insta ! Yall wont regret it
Yeah im fucken ripe sure that happened
@wsg man actual innocent people? Are you saying he is guilty? Wanna back that statement?
This man should sue the government for at least 10 million
I would hope whatever settlement he got out of it is enough to last him his whole life. They put this man through hell for nothing.
@@Contributron Sadly they all had to take a Alford plea to get out of jail which means technically in the eyes of the law they admitted they did something wrong so they cannot sue. They basically only got their freedom. It's messed up but it's the only way they could get out of jail. Eddie Vedder really helped Damien out while he was in jail and after which was lucky
@CHIGGA better some than nothing
I think he wants actual exoneration rather than money.
olivia cipriano no thats not correct. An _Alford_ plea is a plea in which the defendant maintains their innocence but admits that the evidence would most likely result in a guilty verdict
this case was BONKERS, i admire damien’s drive to keep sharing his story after experiencing so much trauma 😭
He’s so smart
20 years of trauma is unbelievable. He must be A very strong person. I don't think I could be that strong
@@AxxLAfriku stfu noob
Are you kidding me. Read the facts. They did it: www.westmemphisthreefacts.com
@@AxxLAfriku no ur not lmao
Damn, and I feel bad when my parents shout at me for my siblings' mistakes.
Midnight - Vursacore
Yes this really puts it into perspective for me
😭😭😭😭 right
His story is horrific but it's also important to remember that it isn't just an outlier, innocent people are sentenced to death regularly by the "justice" system
And that's assuming they don't get summarily executed while being arrested...
@@resourcedragon 100%
It feels like the system just wants to get some cases over with, without actually trying to find the right person to punish. I've heard about so many cases where there has been absolutely nothing linking a person to the crime, but no one seemed to care or try to find the actual criminal... Its so frustrating and heartbreaking.
And he mentioned that several times in the video, rightly so
I don't think "regularly" is correct. That makes it sound like innocent people are sentenced to death almost as much as the guilty. This case was an outlier.
Hearing Damien’s belief in the justice system just disintegrate because of his experience is heartbreaking. And it reflects how many have felt in the past, and still feel today.
It's the only sane response. Nobody should have faith in our legal system.
@@jailmail1 Well every individual person SHOULD have faith in our legal system, but history has shown that we simply CAN'T trust in it.
Small town justice systems are the worst.
@Yanija C it happens to every race. This story should prove that to you!! No one is more special because of their skin color. It goes both ways!
@Yanija C why did you feel the need to turn it into a race issue?? Seriously. How would you react if I went on a video about a black person wrongly convicted and brought up that it happens to whites too?? Its beyond rude. You are implying that Damians struggle means less because hes white!
Crazy that how he feels is what we grow up KNOWING. That the justice system isn't fair. They'll do whatever is in their best interest a lot of the time.
Same!!
especially for minorities and people of color!!
It's so effed up. That stepfather has still never been charged either.
Keeping in PG 13 huh
@Trails & Travel Source?
@Trails & Travel Court documents aside, there's a reason why polygraphs can't be used in criminal trials. They aren't entirely reliable. Also, Jessie Miskelly is widely believed to be mentally incompetent. People with those kind of mental faculties often lie and confess to things they didn't do. And the knots could have been done by any group of people. There was no DNA linking it to the WM3. Bottom line, you can't put someone to death without actual evidence. Everything they had was circumstantial.
@@stephaniebeffanie8956 he has an IQ of 78 that is so low poor guy :( he probably started believing what they were feeding him
Trails & Travel are you fr rn.? They don’t let people out for MURDER after being sentenced unless they were wrongfully convicted. They said at the beginning of the video there was dna to prove their INNOCENCE and that’s why they were let out. I can’t believe you’re saying they were rightfully convicted when they literally didn’t do it..? Wtaf
The "satanic panic" that fueled this case is crazy. 20 years later, everyone and their mother is wearing black clothing with skulls, has tattoos and piercings. Now it's trendy to look "alternative," yet that's partially what destroyed these young men's lives.
Agreed! I was a teen in the 90s and fully remember satanic panic!
Thanks for all the love! We just started making our own videos if anyone wants to stop by 😊
@Trails & Travel satanists don't do this...
Trails & Travel That awkward moment when you don’t even understand satanism...
(Satanists don’t even believe in Satan as a figure.)
@@xCindyLouWhox yes exactly
My family became very close with Damien a few years ago when he lived close to us and his story touched all of us so much. He was one of the most incredible, gentle, and genuine people I've ever met in my life. He always had such a gentle and calm energy about him and despite what he went through radiated positivity no matter what. We lost touch when he moved but his story and his energy have stayed with us years later.
Trails & Travel I think you need to take those stories with a pinch of salt.
Trails & Travel Sworn Affidavits do not take into account a person’s own agenda or pressures put on people by the police. Neither does it take into account deals made, mistaken identities, fabrications, simple inaccuracies or Urban Legends. There are 20,000 innocent people incarcerated in American prisons many of them in there because of such sworn affidavits. So if you think it’s really that simple I would encourage you to think again.
@@BeatriceFlowers BRAINWASHED much?
Dude, you are all over this video comments section arguing against the West Memphis 3. We get it. You don’t like them. But forgive me if I think some random hateful troll on the internet isn’t the most reliable source of information.
Beautifully said. I believe every word.
That clip of him when he says people mentioned he looked calm, he looks so panicked and in his head is spinning like crazy. There's an obvious difference to being calm I think.
Why was the stepfather never charged?
Because people are so quick to judge.
Great example of how Court of public opinon can spill into the actual justice system
It wasn't just the court of public opinion in this case, there was a lot of police corruption, "Christian" fanaticism (on the scale of the Witch Trials) and general political malfeasance which led to a criminally unjust result for all three of these young men. I feel that's why Mr. Echols wants to make clear that this wasn't a rare case, this kind of corruption of the justice system is pandemic, especially in the most corrupt states, which (I'm sorry to say) are generally southern and claim to be "Christian". There is a very real culture of corruption in several states and it's often buried under extremist notions of Christian faith - just look at the mega churches and their leaders living in mansions and flying private jets.
@@ct5625 oh I agree. It's just sad.
People in W Memphis just wanted it to go away. Outside of Eastern AR the general opinion was that nobody would ever know who really did it.
C Thomas may I also add that this makes all Christians look bad? It adds to the false Christian stereotype which it’s just sad
@SirYarianTheFirst I'm not a Christian but I agree with you. It's the sanctimonious Tippa Gore type assholes who are making things worse. Most Christians I've come across are good people.
Im from germany and never heard about this case.
American justice system sucks
hug annoy if you want to read more about it there is a book called “Devil’s Knot”!
No place is perfect, i've heard of murderers who 100% committed the crimes and in some places they get away with barely any time.
Go watch paradise lost! I believe it's a 3 part show on this entire thing!
Trails & Travel can you explain how he was rightfully convicted? & if it was rightfully, why is he released now.
@@kuruptlive8874 thanks. I will
“If you live in the past your going to be perpetually depressed, and if you live in the future your always going to live with anxiety. The only way your ever going to know peace is by living in the present moment.”
I'm glad he's out now but, his story is so heartbreaking
@Liberal Decay where’s the proof he did it?
@@heywaitno7660 he didn’t
@@beagruy2386 i responded to the person who said he did do it, guess they deleted their comment.
I have immense respect for Damien. I remember being a teen in the 90s, and goths were seen as Satanic. He was a young victim of a modern witch hunt. He’s taken his power back now, and I’m so glad about that.
This is an example of how flawed and systematic the justice system is
@wsg man What evidence?
It's 2 example of different situations. it's not a video that paints a picture of a systematic issues.
“Tell him this video is cool, Johnny!”
“Tell him yourself.”
“This video is cool!”
iS tHaT A mOthEr- *killer queen has already touched this reply*
fxck you im 2 OH N- *explosion*
@@fxckyouim2739 what huh
IT HAS NO WEAKNESS
I'll never understand the people who believe that abortion is murder, but capital punishment isn't.
Because they believe the foetus is not guilty of any crimes?
Murder is murder. Dont matter if its a BABY, child , young adult or a adult.
What crime can a fetus possibly commit? Being conceived by a selfish idiot? That's the fetus's fault?
What crime can a fetus possibly commit? Being conceived by a selfish idiot? That's the fetus's fault?
100% of abortions the baby was innocent
96% of the time the victim of a death sentance is guilty
They don't rehabilitate... That's why there's SO MANY people who reoffend... They want to punish so bad that they dont try to fix the problem... 9:17 Wow he said same thing after I wrote this... Because its true...
Yup, the justice system needs to meet a number of needs with conflicting interests - punishment, retribution for victims, safety for the community, and rehabilitation - however more emphasis is placed on some of those needs than others.
The justice system in Norway focuses on rehabilitation, and thus the rate of reoffenders is at about 5% compared to 65% in the US. All our prisons are owned by the state, versus in the US about 8,4% of prisoners (more than 133,000 people) are housed in private prisons that capitalize on mass incarceration. The US justice systems focus is on capital. To me that is utterly insane.
the reason why the Justice system fails in the usa is because prisons are big business. they are zero incentive to rehabilitate. once you enter prison you are a commodity here. repeat business is the only way they stay in business. its why we had the "war on drugs" and the 3 strikes your out systems. if you are arrested and return to prison 3 times. they get far more money for you then if you are convicted for life once. governments & politicians get public tax money, court fees, attorney fees and bail money each time. that's why I belive modern day law enforcement is basically shake down men for the government.
The death penalty (and the current justice system itself) is revenge, not justice
Justice is fair behavior or treatment and if you ask me, murderers being killed is what's fair. I just wish they'd take more time to actually find the guilty person rather than just try and get anyone, that's what needs to change.
Katie an eye for an eye and the world goes blind
@@katie5920 to respond to the last sentence, that's ture but it isn't helped by the public and media being so quick to judge everything.People are so quick to hop on ships and that messes with the investigators minds
I disagree. But the justice system definitely has a lot of problems
@@katie5920 Emotionally I agree with you. Logically I have to disagree, because to me, if even 1 innocent person is murdered by the state then that is 1 too many, and we, as a country, have murdered SO many innocent people. There will never be a 100% fool-proof way to prove someone is guilty. Even confessions can't be trusted. I will never support the death penalty.
The earphones framing his beard is what I needed to see today
The worst part is three young boys lost their lives and the killer got away with it.
Nope they killed them sorry
@@justlikebck5162 DNA evidence says no
@@justlikebck5162 source?
@@beagruy2386 krplus.net/bidio/hrN7gZOpYq22i5g
@@beagruy2386 they protected them an the town knows it that’s why it’s relevant
This is so heartbreaking and terrifying. I can't believe he's alive and has his head together after everything he's been through.
Yeah, solitary confinement is pure torture. Awful.
It's interesting that despite my interest in true crime and my mother's career in law enforcement that I never heard of this case. Especially considering that Damien and I share the same last name. His story reminds me of the very cynical sentiment that my mother always says when I tell her the Justice System needs reform, "The Justice System isn't broken, it's working exactly as they intended." It is an absolute miscarriage of justice in every sense of the word when innocent people are locked up and killed by the state for a crime they clearly didn't commit, while other more heinous, but wealthy criminals walk free and it happens every day unfortunately.
Hope you watch all the Paradise Lost films!!
Solitary confinement is PURE TORTURE, you must be a special kind of person ta make it through that and still be a good person, with happy thoughts. All the good vibes to you Damien! ♡
Due to covid, atleast for the JDC i went to, we do 23 and 1 for 16 days (quarantine) I couldnt imagine it for longer
This is such a terrible and heartbreaking story. He literally lost his youth and childhood; he can never get those years back.
Trails & Travel wait so he did kill them ?
@@alienspeaking3938 No
Damien was guilty. Your only getting one side. You need to do more digging, before you make your mind up.
I did a paper on metal music and the West Memphis Three for my Politics and Music class. This entire case is a perfect example of bias, fear mongering, and just plain ole bad investigating.
I recommend watching the Geraldo Rivera Exposing Satanism documentary which was released in the late 80s, just to see some of the historical context for the time. It definitely helped further the US public’s fear of metal music and it’s audience despite it being a load of crap. It’s almost laughable watching it today, but people still buy it.
Anything about the West Memphis Three interests me and it’s nice to see an updated interview with Echols.
Crap... This has nothing to do with them liking metal music and everything to do with the fact that this dude was a freak. He's guilty... Just look at all the evidence and not just the documentaries that are made in defense of them
Yup... "Satanic Panic" was especially prevalent during this time. It's really interesting to see that even now, some people really think they know what true Satanism is without educating themselves and then voice their conclusion that it's the same as worshipping the Devil. Ridiculous.
OsakaRose Exactly! All this occurred during the Satanic Panic era. They scapegoated these young men when really the real culprit is most likely some psycho who claims to be a God fearing Christian. 🙄
Liz Nova I know a satanist. She told me that she always laughs when people think they sacrifice animals and humans. She’s like yeah, we don’t do that. We have fun, sex and sometimes drugs. 😂. Satanist are also very pro LGBTQ which is more than I can say for Christians.
It’s always the same thing. If they can’t go after Jazz they’ll go after Rock n’ Roll, if they can’t go after that they’ll go after Disco, if they can’t go after that they’ll Metal and/or Hip Hop.
It’s always the same thing with these holier than thou pearl clutchers, if something breaks their view of moral superiority they’ll find something to be a target of their misplaced anger at times to deadly lengths.
This is not the vid to ask about Ryan and Shane. If you want to see them, go watch Watcher. They just posted Puppet History. With that aside, it's a unique opportunity you were able to interview him. Our system certainly has flaws
THIS.
I dont see anyone asking for them though? Or maybe they're deep down the comments idk
Not only did these three men go through injustice in the judicial system, those three little boys never got the justice they deserved. And it still frustrates me to this day that this case ended this way. Not only were these three men not acquitted, not only does the state of Arkansas face zero consequences of their actions, not only were any of the victims' families or the families of the convicted betrayed by the whole system - the words "mercy" and "justice" are in the great seal of Arkansas, and there was neither of those in the way this entire case was handled by officials.
Damian echols is such a special man, his spiritual journey is so incredible.
He's a murderer...
@@anthonyhutchins2300 he didn't murder anyone, read the title of the video
@@anthonyhutchins2300 he's not tho?
@@ramankaur3141 right, because of course they wouldn't lie or anything.
@@anthonyhutchins2300 he didn't murder anyone, anyone who looks into the case for more than 5 minutes can tell that. Even the cops involved have said he's innocent. Please look into it rather than critique an innocent man.
if you guys are interested in this case there’s a series of documentaries called “paradise lost” that are absolutely fantastic! this case is so sad :( in the height of the “satanic panic” those poor little boys didn’t get justice and these teenagers were in prison for so much of their lives. thank you for the wonderful interview! it’s good to see that he’s rehabilitating as well as he can be :)
Theres also the book Devil's Knot.
@@josecarbajal5710 and the movie devil's knot!
West of Memphis is another good one
where can I watch this?
There's also a podcast called Satanic Panic.
10 years in solitary confinement? omfg, that is torture. wow. he survived the worst. in a so called developed country.
What an interesting man. I wanted to hear his story after learning that he was an inspiration for the Eddie Munson character on Stranger Things.
Bro this is why I don’t agree with the death penalty because anything could go wrong they could be killing someone innocent so why risk it I watched a movie called the life of David Gale that really summed stuff up for me
Totally agreed. The government shouldn't have the power to execute its citizens for any reason, in my opinion.
Agreed. I'd only support the Death Penalty if it was someone who we 10000% knew was guilty (eg. a mass shooter).
@@Skyler_Momoko I don’t even agree with that the death penalty to me is like revenge I don’t think anyone should be murdered even if they were a mass shooter let them stay in prison forever
So eloquently spoken and such a relevant discussion on the justice system as a political system and not a moral system
both puppet history AND BUN upload today???? truly blessed....
We are!!
I was fortunate enough to briefly meet Damien back in 2012 during his book tour for ‘Life After Death.’
This was about a year after he was released from prison, and you could tell he was still in the midst of struggling to adjust to life as a free man. However, as he demonstrates in this interview as well, the amount of strength and passion he possesses is astounding and inspiring.
Everyone who saw him speak and meet him left feeling both enraged at the injustice he faced, but also inspired to go forward and advocate to stop similar injustice.
Never clicked so fast. I learned about this case in high school
Right!
Aria single handedly keeping this channel alive. This was fascinating.
I met Damien for a brief time when he lived in Salem MA. He had published his book “Life After Death” which I loved and read several times. Damien is one of the kindest, humble human beings I have been privileged to meet. God bless Damien and Lori!
there is no such thing as a “justice system” serves no justice., our whole country is based on politics and it’s so sad
wow so happy you covered this case, one of the most interesting ones in my opinion. completely heartbreaking for the boys killed and the boys convicted.
Always love to hear this man talk, he’s been through so much yet tries so hard now to teach people and help people avoid the pains he went through. His insights are always eye opening in some way
i clicked so fast and Im so happy you did this Im really proud of the route you're taking as a creator Aria
Thanks Leyla!! 🙏🏼
I remember when I was about 15-16 years old, I saw Paradise Lost with my dad. After that I started to search more on this case. I had a task for school and I broke all the rules for this task cuz I wanted to write about this case. Eventually I got an A on my task and my teacher asked me every couple of months if there was new news about this case. To this day, I try to educate everyone I know about this case and wrongful executions.
He is so well spoken and admirable.
my sociology teacher had the class watch the documentary in my senior year and it left a very deep and profound impression on me that lasts to this day. Glad to see Damien doing well 💕
This was incredible to watch! Thanks for this. What a powerful story.
One of the most tragic things about the West Memphis Three case is that whoever really did kill those boys has gotten away with it.
The insightfulness of Damien makes this one of my favorite videos on the internet. Mastering trauma is one of the most powerful things a person can do.
Fascinating interview, I'm glad Damien is doing well now :) Love this kind of content!
ABSOLUTE LOVE THIS VIDEO!!!!! I cant not even express into words how great it can be! There needs to be awareness on this topic!! Its crazt how many people have gotten charged with stuff when their innocent
I'm so sorry for all you been through. The thought of all this just leaves me losing trust & hating people except those who needs help or those who help others. I can only watch so many of these types of videos, because this is nothing but demonic narcissist. I rolled up my sleeves & I'm in this fight. I personally know some victims who were either 302ed or put in prison. The very leasted for called delisional & discounted & laughed at. We CAN NOT let these nightmarish people continue on the path of destroying other people's life & get away with it. All you have been through, you are an inspiration. AMAZING!! YOU ROCK!!
I clicked SO FAST. This is one of the most interesting and insane cases I’ve ever read about (I’m such a fan of Damien honestly.) All 3 of those guys were done so dirty.
I have been waiting for him to talk about his experience since I saw the documentaries, this needs to be a live topic this 2020!
Great video as always 👍🏾
I'm so glad that he had Lorri in his life to help him through this. I can't imagine going through what he went through on death row. So glad these men are finally free and can live their lives!
This case is something i always tell people with a heavy heart. How, many times innocent people suffer.
I'm so relieved to hear that he was able to maintain enough hope to carry him out. It's absolutely heartbreaking to think of all of the people in his same position who were not so lucky.
thank you so much for having him on! I can't believe he isn't a broken bone of a human, crying the in corner. He is out there doing good works.
I can not imagine anything more terrifying than being a child and having a bunch of adults that literally are going to kill you.
the thing about being a person who's interested in true crime is that we see all these stories that either has bad endings or good endings but nonetheless it ends immediately or if you follow a case, it may take a toll on you but you can rest and let your life go on. but these people who actually belongs to the story, the people who experiences these stories - it is their story, it is their struggle and the damage is 100x. it's such a devastating realization on how much these struggles is actually all some of these people experience while the story goes on.
Really great interview, thanks for doing this one Aria. What happened to these 3 men is very sad, but I’m glad he came out okay on the other side. Prison sounds terrifying and I’m sure it breaks a lot of people.
Hopefully the real murderer/s will one day be found so the families get real closure. ♥️
I remember hearing about this like 3 years ago popped up in my recommendations and this case has stuck with me forever, so shocking and indescribable how this all ended up. I hope they’re doing great now
This is such a sad case, imagine having 20 years taken away from you from a system that should protect you and knowing you're innocent.
I realize this is kind of old, but Damien was “interviewed” on the midnight gospel! He talks about his spiritual awakening in prison and it’s one of my favorite episodes!
I was able to meet Damien at a book signing of his in LA in 2014. I was on holiday from Australia and the timing worked out perfectly. Myself, my mum and my sister had followed his story for a few years before he was released after watching the Paradise Lost films, and I remember watching with them the moments when he was released. I was too shy to get out too much when it was my turn to meet Damien, but if he ever reads this - you have the capacity to make a lot of change in the realm of criminal justice reform, and I hope as many people as possible hear your story so they know miscarriages of justice can occur and what can be done to prevent them. Its really good to see you are doing well on the outside.
Dude found a wife in prison and here I am getting ignored.
😂
@Killer Germ lol yeah she might be a little strange
The fact people STILL think these three guys were doing some sort of Satanic ritual is so infuriating.
An inspirational man. Goes to show... when you truly face, and learn to live with your Self, you cannot help but recognize your Self in all others. I think it speaks volumes that, despite the crimes committed against him by the judicial system, he doesn't speak of anger, blame, or fault, he speaks of taking ownership of our present, and taking responsibility for ourselves... for those of us who commit crime against the system. True compassion takes a lot of courage 😊
Thank you for not focusing on the judgemental things they said about Damien to persecute him. It allowed me to hear him and not what others said for him. After your interview, I looked around at other articles and I was shocked to learn what people thought of him as young man because of hobbies or interests or kids being kids.
I missed this interview 8 months ago but I do have a few of your books which changed my own life. You have probably touched more lives than you realize. Our judicial system is broken.
The judicial system might be broken, but it's incredibly likely they got it right in this case in 1994.
Anyone that has bothered to go through the totality of the evidence, in this case, thinks they did it.
Thats why I am glad to live in a country with no death penalty. Even one innocent person out of thousand rightfully sentenced is too much of a failure rate in my eyes
I like how he says it's important to learn more about it, and educating ourselves at the end
The sad thing is that there are so many people like this that are still in prison.
Unfortunately, it's not likely the criminal justice will change as it is a for profit business.
he sounds so wise, i would love to have a conversation with him
this man is truly amazing, sharing about this despite his trauma
Damien has become such an inspiration to me over the last 15 years or so! So articulate
This is the ONLY good buzzfeed Channel
Just going to throw this out. Maybe follow us, the Norwegian's, We believe in rehabilitation rather than punishment, if you get sent to jail. you more or less get "forced" to learn how to manage in a normal environment. Many succeed. though we don't have that harsh criminality and gun violence.
:basically what hes saying at 9:00 and out
Same in the Netherlands. Guess us West-Europeans still have faith in humans.
Unfortunately, the US uses prisoners, prisons, and the "justice" system as a way to make money. It's utterly disgusting. There is a lot we can learn from other countries.
I wish we'd do things that way. The U.S. is a mess.
@@TheEllAhrairah not all humans deserve rehabilitation. When it comes to drug cases, then yeah, addicts need to be in rehab not prison. However cold blooded murderers, rapists, pedophiles, sorry, but they deserve to rot
What an amazing story. God bless you🙏💚
This shattered my heart
God. I'm so glad they are telling their stories. I will always stand by the West Memphis Three.
forever.
Yep
Even if they did it, imagine being sentenced to death for doing something horrible in your teens rather than getting psychological help.
There must be a punishment regardless
Just because ure a teen, doesn’t mean they get a free pass
13din Being forced to spend x amount of years in a psychiatric hospital getting professional help isn’t a free pass, it’s the logical thing to do, rather than throwing them in a place where they are actively abused and have their lives constantly threatened, jail is a hell hole and should be reserved for only hardened criminal who have 0 chance or want to be better, jail is supposed to be a place to rehabilitate but instead it’s a place reserved to send people to rot until they kill one another, no child nor half decent human being who made a mistake ( killed in self defence, shop lifts to get buy, manslaughter) should be sent there, it helps no one and does nothing productive, yes there needs to be a punishment but more importantly psychological help. Being forced to spend x amount of years in a facility getting the actual beneficial help they need rather than sending them to rot is both a punishment and a beneficial solution actually contributing to rehabilitation.
What about the 3 little boys who died and don’t have any life at all? They don’t even get to become “teens” due to the actions of this person. They deserve to be in prison.
Damien is such a legend. The more I learn about him, the more I respect him. For anyone interested, the interviews with Jason and Damien on the Truth and Justice podcast are simply mindblowing. Both come across so thoughtful and intelligent, despite their trauma. Just genuinely dug their vibes and could relate to so much of their pre-arrest lives as 'weirdo' outcasts. They're both amazing men, doing amazing work, and worth learning more about.
I'm Canadian and I was confused when I watched a video from John Oliver about judge elections because why the hell would judges need to be voted
Jesus, I'm surprised I've done so many essays on this case for school. Most people don't know anything about it.
i wrote a couple myself. one for a crime class and another on the documentaries in a film class. been following the case for about 20 years.
I'm so glad they got set free!
Aria is doing amazing with content! He's really stepped to the plate and making this channel his own! Bravo Aria!
i'm so sorry for what happened to this guy but i'm really glad i got to hear what he learned. he had some genuine advice that could apply to anyone in any situation
I fully agree with him as far as rehabilitation goes for most inmates- those who commit robberies or theft, drug charges, those people can and should be helped.
However, I do not believe that true sociopaths and psychopaths who have committed murder or sexual crimes can or should be rehabilitated. Just my opinion. I believe that is a sickness that can not be undone and is spread through the decades.
I'm very glad that my state banned the death penalty. Even 1 innocent death at the hands of the state is too many to justify maintaining the death penalty.
Death penalty is a touchy subject of course, but is imperative to mention that those who are often on death row are there because they have disregarded the absolute right of humanity by engaging in inhumane conditions such as torture, mass murder and many other vile disgusting behavior.
Damien is an amazing person. I have so much love and respect for him. I'd love to just give him a hug
I really love videos like this. It’s so fascinating to me.
He seems like such a nice guy. Im so sad that happened to him