Review of Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory (2012) by Lincoln K — 10 Feb 2012

I really must have been living under a rock. I'm a huge film buff and I love Documentary films. Until 2-3 weeks ago I had never heard of the West Memphis 3. I knew nothing about the case. I never followed or read anything about it. But now I can't stop thinking about it.

Back in 1993 3 kids were murdered in the town of West Memphis, Arkansas. 30 days later the police arrested 3 teenagers. Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley, and Jason Baldwin (The West Memphis 3) and they were tried and convicted of murder. DNA evidence wasn't around at that time. As a matter of a fact there was NO evidence that linked them to the crime. They were tried and convicted because of a stereotype. They wore black clothes and loved heavy metal music. Personally I'm glad I didn't grow up in that town. I would have been the 4th.

Filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky documented the trail. They had interviews with everyone involved and released a documentary on HBO Called "Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills. " It was released in 1996 and created a lot of interest in the case. Celebrities, songwriters, other filmmakers, Lawyers and activists from all over the United States came to the defense of the West Memphis 3.

In 2000 a 2nd documentary was released called Paradise Lost 2: Revelations. Which covers the support the West Memphis 3 have received. Updated interviews and pretty stunning revelations are shown. This film will clear all doubts in your mind that the 3 Boys are innocent and should not be behind bars.

In January of 2012 a 3rd part to this series titles Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory. The West Memphis 3 are now in their early 30's and still behind bars. DNA evidence is introduced and clears the 3 from committing the crimes. But getting a new trial is near impossible for the 18 years and 78 days they are behind bars. When the final moment of Justice is done. It's not done without a catch. And this catch is the saddest moment of the entire trilogy for several reasons. The Memphis 3 were allowed to enter Alford Pleas in exchange for freedom. The 3 could have chose against it, gotten a new trial, and found innocent. But they decided to enter the pleas and walk. After 18 years I'd most likely do the same thing.

You don't really need to sit and watch all 3 films. Each one does a really good job at filling in the story to date. So you can watch the 3rd one on HBO On-Demand or wait for Netflix right now. I enjoyed watching all 3 of them and staying away from all of the websites in between each of them. I found myself getting more and more attracted to this case. Why were these kids stereotyped? How did the members of this Jury find them guilty to begin with? And why did it take 18 years for Justice to finally be done. The murderer of the 3 young boys still walks the Earth. The evidence in the 2nd and 3rd films point to 2 other people of interest that have very shaky pasts. Is it possible that the real killer was under everyone's nose the entire time? It amazes me how blind we are sometimes.

This case made me start to think of the Casey Anthony story from the past few years. People were mad that she "got off". But we live in world where evidence is needed to prove innocence or guilt. The Memphis 3 were a perfect example of outcast teenagers being called Devil Worshipers and spend 18 years behind bars for a crime they didn't commit. These guys will never get those 18 years back. Meanwhile 3 Murdered kids along with their families will never have true justice. The entire story is an embarrassment for West Memphis Arkansas. And it's heartbreaking that we live in world where we allow things like this to happen.