The Wrongful Conviction of the West Memphis Three

Damien Echols, along with Jason Baldwin and Jesse Miss Kelly, were wrongfully convicted of the gruesome murders of three eight-year-old boys in 1993. The case became notorious due to the absence of substantial evidence linking them to the crime, yet they were treated as prime suspects largely due to societal fears of satanic rituals. The local community's hysteria around supposed cult activities amplified suspicions, especially towards Damien, who dressed in black and listened to heavy metal music. Despite no physical evidence, the teenagers were arrested and faced severe repercussions, leading to life sentences and a death penalty for Damien.