tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959803343678816550.post1784491666544320997..comments2023-10-31T02:08:20.043-07:00Comments on CJS395 Spring 2012: West Memphis Three ReleasedMichael Gizzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15691728024188312906noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959803343678816550.post-32027680143245600882012-02-23T19:03:22.475-08:002012-02-23T19:03:22.475-08:00I watched one of the very first documentaries on t...I watched one of the very first documentaries on this case done by HBO in one of my other criminal justice classes. The video was extremely graphic and showed the mutilated bodies of the young boys with their genitals cut off and dismembered. It is a travisty that something so horrific could happen and have 3 innocent men be accused and then convicted of a crime they did not commit while the real criminal or criminals were still at large. It was said that one of the murdered boy's step father was involved in this case and it will be interesting to see if justice will be served and the true person caught to face their punishment.Jennifer Shepherdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18284103026224745703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959803343678816550.post-4912780432942378572012-02-17T12:53:11.451-08:002012-02-17T12:53:11.451-08:00I watched a video on this in one of my previous cr...I watched a video on this in one of my previous criminal justice classes and it just really blows my mind. First off this case really didn't have a lot of evidence to convict these three. The case took place in a backwoods type of place and it honestly seemed like the legal system there was just trying to sweep a horrific crime under the rug. In my class when we watched the video our teacher told us to guess who we thought was the real killer because he strongly believes the real killer is on the video. When we watched it the entire class unanimously agreed with who we thought the killer was based on the evidence that was collected and how the person was acting during his interview. It was a great video but really scary to think that there are still communities in this world that would actually convict CHILDREN based on the fact that the town wants to sweep the crime under the rug. Absolutely disgusting.Krista Shankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02299523252569914139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959803343678816550.post-79067427766151026892012-02-10T16:01:31.321-08:002012-02-10T16:01:31.321-08:00I actually just watched the documentary of the Wes...I actually just watched the documentary of the West Memphis Three on HBO. I was shocked that despite their innocence, they were forced to plead guilty in order to get back the freedom they should have never lost in the fist place. The burden of proof in criminal cases such as this is exceptionally high because of what is at stake. These men lost several years of their life behind bars, which they will never get back. I was also surprised to see the amount of support the Memphis three receive, even from celebrities such as Johnny Depp and the Dixie Chicks. A lesson can be taught to the justice system after a case such as this. The Memphis three did have prime years of their life taken away, but will not be held innocently behind bars any longer.JimByrnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05185794089793172929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959803343678816550.post-75879503336497701092012-02-09T16:43:22.115-08:002012-02-09T16:43:22.115-08:00This is another case of lawyers and the criminal j...This is another case of lawyers and the criminal justice system finding loopholes within a system they have made for themselves. I understand the advantages and disadvantages of pleas as it does help speed up an already congested system. After all these years in prison after being found guilty of murder, it is outragous that they are even being considered innocent. Even more disturbing is the fact that they plead guilty before being released. One of the young men was found guilty by a jury of his peers with such assurance that he was sentenced to death. All these years later, he is not only still alive but is now free to move throughout our society. Plea bargains are a useful tool within our system but should not be reserved for murderers. If anything, we need to do a better job of keeping other offenders out of prison so that we have ample room and money to incarcerate animals like this for life.Adam Hitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13038905399623032169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959803343678816550.post-85475325340542887642012-02-09T09:07:47.793-08:002012-02-09T09:07:47.793-08:00WOW this is different I've never heard of the ...WOW this is different I've never heard of the Alford plea, but it seems pretty strange. Why would people acknowledging they have committed a crime get off the hook but yet keep the charges on the record. I would think if you admit to the guilt, you would be put in jail with the sentences they were charged with previously.I just didn't see the logic behind this plea deal. Its sad that DNA isn't done right the first time and innocent people have to spend their lives in prison.Its a good thing they were released since they didn't truly commit the crime.Misty Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11811811891536627091noreply@blogger.com