Essay Example on False Confession of Jessie Miskelly Jr: Implications for Three Boys

Introduction

Jessie Miskelley Jr. implicated the other two prime suspects whom he was with after a long and tedious police interrogation. The primary issue with Jessie Miskelly's admission of being responsible for the murder of the three eight year boy was inconsistent with the findings. This led to the three boys' lawyer refuting Jessie's sentiments (Greg, 2017). The lawyer further explained that the confession made by Jessie was false, ill-formed, and unreliable and that it was an inclusion of all types of statements that were inconsistent, unconvincing, and incompatible. The nature of interrogation the investigative police held with Jessie was unprocedural and unlawful. Even though the police knew Jessie was developmentally disabled mentally and had a slightly above average IQ of 72, the police pressed him with a lot of questions. The police officer used leading questions to convince Jessie into a confession of what the police thought had happened. Lead questions are prohibited by law as they contaminate the confession as witnessed in Jessie's case, he, later on, recanted his confession but it was late for him.

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Relation of Trials and Cases Issues

The other issue observed in this case is the conviction of the three without adequate evidence linking them to the scene of the murder. The sentence of the WM3 seems to have been predetermined even before the trials (Greg, 2017).

Damien Echols' Religious and Theoretical Explanations

The religious beliefs are also evident in the conviction of the Three Memphis. The investigators had already decided the case because of the horrible nature of the accused three. The investigators related the frightful life of Damien Echols, who had self-described himself as a Wiccan with a strange taste of music and clothes to satanic cult rituals (Greg, 2017).

Defense Strategy as a Prosecutor and Attorney

If I were the prosecutor, I would use the law professionalism by creatively and critically evaluating the case rather than using cognitive thinking of expecting what I see. The cognitive thinking made the prosecutor make wrong judgments to Damien as his strange sense of fashion was related to satanic rituals which highly facilitated his jailing as it was thought that he had sacrificed the three boys for the satanic rituals (Whoami, 2016). If I were the defense attorney of the West Memphis three, I would train my clients to work cohesively as a team. I would encourage them not to speak to anyone involved in the case in case they are not sure of the speech they will be giving. The teamwork will eliminate any possible division as witnessed when Jessie, after being compelled by the investigators he confessed murder that he had not committed. Since in any case the words spoken by either the accuser or the defendants are used against them (Jessie's confession earned him a jail term), I would coach all the three accused to maintain calm and show confidence while in the courtroom.

Cameras in Courtroom and Impartial Trial

No. I don't believe the two of the West Memphis Three, Baldwin and Echols were given a fair trial by the impartial jury. In this case, it seems like there was already a predetermined conclusion to jail the three irrespective of their plea (Whoami, 2016). I strongly recommend cameras to be used as part of the evidence in the courtrooms. Were it not for the presence of cameras during the trial of the three, lol of them would still be in prison serving a sentence for murder, a capital crime they did not commit as revealed by the close cameras at the scene of the incident.

Believe of Justice in Third and Second Parts of Documentary

The second and the third part of the movie changed my opinion on the guilt of the WM3, and I believe that finally justice has been served for the three. Previously the court had found the accused guilty without adequate evidence from the scene to tie them to the murder crime (Whoami, 2016).

Mark Byers Involvement in Murder

It is almost sure that Mark Byers was involved in the murder of the three young boys who were murdered in Memphis. Despite his calculated faking of emotions depending on the situation, the numerous pieces of evidence point to him. The DNA tests also tie him to the scene of the murder. This raises a lot of concerns (Whoami, 2016).

Evidence of Terry Hobbs Guilt

The critical piece of evidence in the video camera was presented at the trial session. In the camera, it is clear that the WM3 are not at any point connected to the scene of the murder. The emerging evidence also indicates that Terry Hobbs is guilty of the crime. Basing on the perjury penalty declaration, Hobbs' nephew (Michael) reports that his uncle (Terry Hobby) called for a family meeting and announced to them and asked them to keep it a secret (TheVentiladores, 2016).

Requirements for the Release of the Defendants and the Public Perception

The three defendants had to produce significant evidence that they were not connected to the murder of the three young children. Part of the evidence they were to provide was camera clips which saved them a great deal. The public was satisfied with the real lease deal of the WM3. The demand for their release and the cheers that followed is a clear sign of satisfaction from the public. This is a particular case in which the accusers, later on, become the defendants of the accused. Earlier on in the case, Byers was very critical of the WM3, but later on, he quickly changes the mind (TheVentiladores, 2016). The mother of one of the victim also consoles the accused saying she believes they are innocent. The state has to pay restitution to the WM3 for the time they wrongfully spent behind bars.

The Surprise and Feelings Concerning the Case

From the criminal perspective, how the investigators held interrogation with Jessie is shocking. They identified him to be a low-level person hence pinned him forcing him to confess the killings he is not responsible for. The prosecutors' linkage of Damien to satanic rituals hence convicting him based on that is also astonishing. Due processes need to be followed when prosecuting an accused person Rhys (Whoami, 2016).

References

Greg Turner. (Jul, 21st, 2017). Paradise Lost / Paraiso Perdido: The Child Murders at Robbin Hood Hills Legendado part 1. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnK63SGFjMo

TheVentiladores. (Feb 23rd, 2016). Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory - Legendado em Portugues (PT-BR). Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yubLZYCm8s8

Whoami. (Nov 17th, 2016). Paradise Lost 2: Revelaciones | Documental Completo VOSE. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzSvKqBGdRw&list=PLbzcLPh2B79ErZ783GPBrOOPt1Z5MoPHz