The Talking Stick

Free the Three : an Interview with Mara Leveritt

In 1993 West Memphis Arkansas, teenagers Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelly were charged with the murders of three eight-year-old boys. Their alleged membership in a satanic cult seemed to be of more importance than a series of investigative blunders and a lack of physical evidence to connect the teens to the crime scene. Fourteen years later they are still behind bars -- one facing a sentence of death. Award-winning investigative reporter Mara Leveritt's book Devil's Knot: the True Story of the West Memphis Three is well-written and terrifying examination of the murders, the trials, and their consequences.

Weyland: You're a leading authority on this case. How did you first become aware of the West Memphis Three?

Mara: I was a reporter in Little Rock, focusing on criminal justice issues, when the murders occurred. Like everyone, I was horrified by the brutality. After the arrests, I was startled by how much "information" officials seemed to be leaking, especially the suggestion that the murders were somehow linked to occult practices. I was aware of the hysteria that was sweeping the country at the time surrounding so-called ritual murders. In fact, shortly before the murders, I'd written an article about the 1992 FBI report that carefully examined–and debunked–many claims of ritual abuse. I waited to see what evidence would be presented at the trials, and when I heard nothing that sounded substantial enough to warrant the sentences handed down, I went to West Memphis to begin examining the case on my own.

Weyland: What questions or aspects of the case are you surprised that never came up?

Mara: From my experience with other cases and other police departments, I knew that most murdered children were killed by someone they knew. In light of that fairly basic, investigative truism, I was stunned, when I began reading the police files, to see how minimally the police questioned the victims' families. There are hundreds of questions that should have been asked of all the relatives within the first 24 hours of finding the bodies, but weren't. In addition, conflicts in statements given by family members were not scrutinized. From an investigative point of view, this is the part of the case that saddens me most. It's where everything went awry.

Weyland: What is the import of the May 17 meeting where it was revealed that no forensic evidence linking the WM3 to the crime exists?

Mara: Legally, a negative finding may not be of much help. Of course, any rational person would question how three people could bludgeon, stab and drown three children, then stuff their bodies into mud and not leave a trace of DNA at the scene, or bring any trace of the murder site to their homes. But, as we've seen, this case has not been a rational process since the beginning. I'm hoping that the defense teams have something positive to introduce, in addition to the reported lack of DNA.

Weyland: Mike Nifong just resigned as the Durham, NC district attorney. Should supporters devote more resources to focus on political avenues in Arkansas, or would that be a mistake?

Mara: Every howl of objection has had an impact. Whatever state officials may say, they are well aware, as many have privately told me, that thousands of people are watching what is happening here. They wish this case would go away, but at the same time, no one has yet had the political will to acknowledge that it is a disgrace. Public action changes political will. Remember, all the rulings made in this case were made by elected judges. The public can have a tremendous effect by continuing to let this state's officials know that, both as Arkansans and Americans, we regard this case as an ongoing outrage.

Weyland: How do think this case reflects on Arkansas in the eyes of the world?

Mara: Many people around the world see Arkansas as ignorant, cruel and perhaps corrupt, based on officials' handling of this case. And, much as I hate to say it, that is a fair judgment. However, I would add two caveats: First, I'd ask people to remember that the actions of a few officials can bring great shame on a beautiful state full of decent people, and I believe that's what's happened here. Second, while this case has achieved well-deserved notoriety, there are hundreds of other, unknown cases, throughout the U.S., that share many of the same elements. I hope that awareness of what has happened here will open citizens' eyes to the possibility that something similar, if not so dramatic, may be happening in their own backyards.

Weyland: Aside from monetary contributions and raising public awareness, what can supporters of the WM3 do to help get them released? What specific actions can they take to get involved?

Mara: I have always thought that small ads in area papers such as the Jonesboro Sun or Memphis Commercial Appeal could be extremely effective. And what about videos broadcast on YouTube? Not tirades. Just facts. It's extremely important to be accurate--and creative. So much about this case rests on freedom of expression. I like all the creative ideas ways people have already found to protest the travesty.

Weyland: You're still active in the case. Was the June rally for a new trial successful, and what else is being done to keep the case in the public eye?

Mara: The rally at the courthouse in Marion was wonderful. It was dignified, strong and vital. I wish everyone who cares about this case could have shared the experience. On one hand, we were a diverse, grassroots group, literally standing in the grass beneath huge shade trees to make our voices heard. On the other hand, looming behind us, visible at every turn, was the courthouse with its horribly ironic proclamation: "Obedience to the Law is Liberty." Perhaps as lawyers for the defense file new motions in the case there will be further opportunities for supporters to come to this corner of the state, where so much has gone wrong, and demand that it be made right.

Weyland: One of the most chilling points of your book Devil's Knot was that anyone could potentially be falsely accused--and convicted. What lessons should we learn from this case in that regard?

Mara: I want people who read Devil's Knot to recognize that justice is not a science. It can be manipulated. People make mistakes. It is important for citizens everywhere to be aware and not complacent. We should all demand excellence from our police, our prosecutors and our judges–and not just for the wealthy or the privileged, but for everyone. There should be no "throw-away" people in our society. I don't know anyone who thinks that what happened to Damien, Jason and Jessie would have occurred if they had been the sons of doctors or bankers. Our justice system is only as good as the quality of justice that is given the poorest and least among us. If it is weak in its treatment of them, we are all in danger, and to think otherwise is a delusion.

Weyland: What the status on the Devil's Knot movie? Has it been cast?

Mara: I've been asked to leave all announcements about the movie to the studio. Sorry.

Weyland: How about Paradise Lost 3? Do you know if it's been cast?

Mara: I don't know anything about PL3.

Weyland: What else are you doing these days?

Mara: I continue to write for the Arkansas Times, where I'm a contributing editor. I dote on my grandchildren. I garden.

Weyland: Any other books coming up?

Mara: Maybe. There's a topic out there that's calling me, but I don't know yet if I'll answer.

Weyland: Would you care to share your contact information?

Mara: Sure. My email address is: mara@maraleveritt.com. I read (and appreciate) all correspondence, but , unfortunately, have given up on answering it all.

Weyland: Thank you for your time.

author: Weyland Smith