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National Letter Writing Campaign
 

If you want your voice to be heard about the West Memphis Three case, we urge you to write a letter to the Governor of Arkansas, Mike Beebe.

Below is a sample letter that we've written just to give you an idea about what to say, but we very strongly encourage you to write one in your own words.

Don't worry about being too formal, but please be respectful and clear about what you have to say. Make sure that you have the facts of the case correct and that you express yourself in a way that will make him want to pay attention to your concerns.

Be as brief as possible - because it's likely that he's getting a lot of letters about this situation already. Write your letter from your heart and from your own point of view, expressing why you care about this case, and why it's important.

Let the Governor know that this case is not going to go away, and if you are a resident of Arkansas, make sure you tell him that, too.


Send your letter to:
Governor's Office
State Capitol Rm 250
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201




[sample letter]

Hon. Mike Beebe

For over a decade, the state of Arkansas has gained notoriety for the West Memphis Three case. It is rare now to meet someone who hasn't heard of Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley and the injustice they have endured for over fourteen years. People from all over the world have expressed their concern and given their time, effort and donations in the hope that their words and actions would alert the world to this miscarriage of justice. The outcry gets louder and louder every single day.

DNA technology that did not exist at the time of the original investigation and trials has recently revealed definitive proof that Damien, Jason and Jessie were not involved in the murders of Christopher Byers, Steve Branch and Michael Moore. However, this newly discovered evidence does indicate the presence of other persons at the crime scene. Forensic experts have expressed how extremely unlikely it would be for three teenagers to commit such a crime and leave not one cell of genetic evidence behind, providing even more grounds for the belief that these three young men were falsely accused and falsely convicted.

Every accusation made against the WM3 during their trials was insubstantial and in many cases completely false. Jessie's alleged confession was clearly shown to have been the result of irresponsible coercion tactics on the part of the West Memphis Police Department. Witness testimony has been shown to be false and in the interim witnesses have come forward to admit that their testimony was the product of the hysteria and the rush to judgment against Damien, Jason, and Jessie that prevailed in 1993. One risked charges of perjury to recant her testimony against Jessie Misskelley. With the advent of new technologies and careful consideration by the top forensic experts in their respective fields, not one iota of evidence places these men anywhere near the crime scene or connects them to the murders. In fact, there is definitive DNA evidence implicating other persons.

This data now convinces the victims' parents that the murderer or murderers are still at large, and that Damien, Jason and Jessie are innocent. Organizations here and abroad want it known that we support this cause and continue to publicize the facts of the case, we want the world to know what happened to the WM3 and we don't ever want it to happen again. Damien Echols is on death row for crimes he did not commit. Jason and Jessie received life sentences without parole for crimes they did not commit. All three men have maintained their innocence since the day they were arrested-- anxiously they await each new development in their case and are confident that knowledge of the truth will assist them in their battle for justice.

These three young men have given up nearly half their lives to this tragedy, and a triple child homicide has been allowed to remain unsolved for just as long. The parents of the victims are demanding justice and the three living victims of this crime are demanding their freedom. We are asking you to take the time to carefully examine the facts. You cannot push this case into the shadows any longer: it needs to be discussed openly and serious action needs to be taken. Now.

With respect,
[name and address]

 
 
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