We’ve seen him play pirate Jack Sparrow, Edward Scissorhands, even Willy Wonka…but now Johnny Depp is playing a new role: defender of convicted murderers. According to The Huffington Post, the actor and Sexiest Man Alive will appear on this Saturday’s episode of 48 Hours Mystery to champion the innocence of the West Memphis Three.
In 1994, three teenage boys (Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley) were convicted of murdering three 8-year-old boys as part of a satanic ritual. As seen in the preview video below, Johnny says, “I firmly believe Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley are totally innocent. It was a need for swift justice to placate the frightened community.” Check out the clip:
Fox News reports that Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley were sentenced to life in prison, and Damien Echols, who is on death row, have all spent 16 years behind bars. Johnny joins such supporters as Eddie Vedder, Metallica, Winona Ryder and the Dixie Chicks in arguing they were wrongly convicted because they were fans of heavy-metal music, Stephen King novels and the occult.
What do you guys think? Was this case bogus? Does Johnny have the ability to reopen the case and prevent Damien Echols from being put to death?
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Comments
Brenda
February 23rd, 2010 - 1:14:33 PM
I'm ecstatic that he is trying to reopen the case! They didn't get a fair trial! I sure hope everyone will be watching!!!!!
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Janet
February 24th, 2010 - 5:01:07 AM
I think they should pay for their crime. Evidently the was evidence to convict them.
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Chuck
February 24th, 2010 - 5:03:45 AM
So if you appear in front of a camera, your brain cells die? These 3 little rednecks carefully made plans to kidnap and kill these children and did so. Their bodies were horribly mutilated and all 3 have continued to "whine" that they didn't do it. Yes, a new trial but only if the death penalty is option!
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Mike
February 24th, 2010 - 5:22:26 AM
I have friends who served on the jury in one of the trials. I trust their wisdom and judgment. It amazes me that celebraties think they are smarter than everyone else. I wonder if people like Johnny Depp have ever served on a jury!
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Tara
February 24th, 2010 - 5:27:59 AM
I have been following this case for over 10 years, and there is NO evidence, except a confesstion that was "beaten" out of a young boy who was "slow, with a exremely low IQ", and none of what he said after his confession matched up with any of the crime. They DID NOT do it!! You need to read the books, see the movies, in order to firmly say they should be put to death. They need to get that judge off the case, and let someone new look at it!! FREE THE WM3!!!!
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Kelly
February 24th, 2010 - 5:58:29 AM
Chuck-The only rednecks in this case were the people of the town who led a witch hunt to get these boys arrested, sounds like you are one of them. And as far as Mike who had friends who served on the jury...I guess your friends wrongly convicted 3 innocent young men then, and you too were probably one of the rednecks pushing the issue. I thought that in a court of law you had to find someone guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt? There was NO evidence at all to convict these boys. Just because teens listen to Metallica, don't have high IQs & don't come from wealth, doesn't make them criminals. This has to be one of the most corrupt cases I've ever seen. These men need to be free. End of story.
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Ann
February 24th, 2010 - 6:47:14 AM
Kelly - that was very well said. This case is one big botched up mess right from the get go. Let us hope that none of us get served such an injustice in our lives. There is no solid evidence, no DNA evidence and the judge in this case is a pathetic waste of a human being and he is obviously guilty in his own right for allowing these young men to pay for a crime they so obviously did not commit. For 16 years they have been sitting in jail cells while a murderer walks among us. Mr. Byer??? If this is such a solid case and they are truly guilty then give them a new trial - what are you afraid of Judge Burnett?
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