West Memphis Three case DNA testing
New DNA testing utilizing 'touch DNA' methods is slated to begin in July 2026 on evidence from the West Memphis Three case, which also involves new eyewitness information pointing to Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of one of the victims, as the last person to have custody of the children. As of July 29, 2026: DNA testing is anticipated to proceed despite a Crittenden County Circuit Court judge denying a petition for advanced DNA testing by Damien Echols in June 2026. The Arkansas Supreme Court approved new DNA testing in April 2024, allowing for the retesting of crucial evidence, including shoelaces and ligatures, with advanced technology. Evidence from the case, including hairs and ligatures, has been at Bode Technology since late 2025 for analysis using the M-Vac system.
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July 2026 — 1 developments
West Memphis Three Case: New DNA Testing Set to Begin, Eyewitnesses Point to New Suspect
New DNA testing utilizing 'touch DNA' methods is slated to begin in July 2026 on evidence from the West Memphis Three case. The case also involves new eyewitness information pointing to Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of one of the victims, as the last person to have custody of the children.
June 2026 — 2 developments
West Memphis Three: Judge Denies DNA Testing Petition Amidst Ongoing Case Developments
A Crittenden County Circuit Court judge denied a petition for advanced DNA testing by Damien Echols in June 2026. This ruling occurred despite a previous Arkansas Supreme Court decision in April 2024 that allowed such testing to proceed. DNA testing of key evidence, including ligatures, is still anticipated to begin in July 2026.
West Memphis Three DNA Testing Set to Begin in July 2026
DNA testing in the West Memphis Three case is scheduled to begin in July 2026, according to an announcement by Damien Echols on June 16, 2026. The testing will utilize the "M-Vac" method on evidence including ligatures and hairs, which have been at Bode Technology since fall 2025. This follows a 2007 DNA test that excluded the West Memphis Three and a 2025 judicial approval to test new evidence found on shoelaces.
May 2026 — 1 developments
West Memphis Three DNA Test Results Still Pending After Six Months
DNA testing results in the West Memphis Three case are still pending, more than six months after evidence was sent to an independent lab in late 2025. A Crittenden County judge had approved the testing of new DNA evidence, including ligatures and hairs, on August 1, 2025, following an April 18, 2024, Arkansas Supreme Court ruling that Damien Echols was entitled to petition for new DNA testing.
April 2026 — 1 developments
Arkansas Supreme Court ruling leads to July 2026 hearing for new DNA testing in West Memphis Three case
A hearing is scheduled for July 23, 2026, in Crittenden County, Arkansas, to address the testing of new DNA evidence in the West Memphis Three case. This follows a 2024 Arkansas Supreme Court ruling granting Damien Echols the right to petition for new DNA testing.
March 2026 — 1 developments
Arkansas Supreme Court approves new DNA testing in West Memphis Three case
The Arkansas Supreme Court approved new DNA testing in the West Memphis Three case in April 2024, following a two-year legal battle. This decision allows for the retesting of crucial evidence, including shoelaces used to bind the victims, with advanced technology capable of extracting minute DNA particles. Lawyers for Damien Echols believe this testing could identify the actual perpetrators and potentially lead to the full exoneration of Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr.
November 2025 — 1 developments
West Memphis Three evidence sent to Bode Laboratories for advanced DNA testing
Evidence from the West Memphis Three case, including hairs and ligatures, has been sent to Bode Laboratories for advanced DNA testing using the M-Vac system. This follows a court order allowing for new DNA analysis.
August 2025 — 3 developments
George Jared highlights inconsistencies in Jessie Misskelley Jr.'s confession
Investigative journalist George Jared highlighted specific inconsistencies in Jessie Misskelley Jr.'s confession, noting his low IQ and inaccurate details like stating the victims were tied with ropes when they were not. These details further support arguments for wrongful conviction in the West Memphis Three case.
Arkansas Supreme Court Rules Damien Echols Can Seek New DNA Testing
The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that Damien Echols has the right to petition for new DNA testing of crime-scene evidence, overturning a previous lower court decision. Subsequently, a Crittenden County judge approved further DNA testing in the West Memphis Three case, including a 'mysterious box of evidence'.
Arkansas Judge Approves Retesting of DNA Samples, Including Terry Hobbs' Hair
An Arkansas judge approved the retesting of approximately 15 different DNA samples from the crime scene, specifically including the hair of Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of one of the victims.
June 2025 — 1 developments
Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, Jessie Misskelley Jr., State, and Innocence Project agree to DNA testing
A joint agreement has been reached between Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, Jessie Misskelley Jr., the State, and the Innocence Project to proceed with DNA testing of hair and ligatures. A hearing was set for late July 2025 to finalize these arrangements.
February 2025 — 1 developments
Dan Stidham shares unreleased West Memphis Three case information amid new DNA testing approval
Former lead attorney for the West Memphis Three, Dan Stidham, is now sharing previously unreleased information about the case. This new information comes as new DNA testing has been approved, which could potentially identify the actual perpetrator of the 1993 murders.
January 2025 — 1 developments
West Memphis Three Attorney Argues 'Satanic Panic' Led to Wrongful Convictions
An attorney for one of the West Memphis Three argues that 'satanic panic' led to wrongful convictions, citing new analysis suggesting the victims' injuries were caused by animal predation rather than a satanic ritual.
December 2024 — 1 developments
West Memphis 3 Lawyer Breaks Silence, Shares New Details and Theory on Case
New DNA testing is underway in the West Memphis 3 case, with the potential to exonerate the convicted individuals and identify the actual killer in 2025. A lawyer representing the West Memphis Three has broken his silence, sharing new details and his personal theory that the convicted teenagers did not commit the murders. Damien Echols, one of the West Memphis Three, shares his experiences and speculates that his interest in ceremonial magic may have made him a target.
June 2024 — 1 developments
Lawyer for Jessie Misskelley claims confession contained inconsistencies and impossibilities
A lawyer who represented Jessie Misskelley has recently spoken out, claiming Misskelley's confession contained inconsistencies and impossibilities.
April 2024 — 2 developments
Arkansas Supreme Court Rules Damien Echols Can Seek New DNA Testing
The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that Damien Echols is entitled to petition an Arkansas court for new DNA testing of crime-scene evidence.
Innocence Project Files Amicus Brief Supporting Echols' DNA Testing Appeal
The Innocence Project filed an amicus brief supporting Echols' appeal for testing with new DNA technology, hoping to clear his and his co-defendants' names.
January 2024 — 1 developments
Arkansas Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Damien Echols' DNA Testing Request
The Arkansas Supreme Court heard oral arguments in January 2024 concerning Damien Echols' request for new DNA testing of crime-scene evidence. Echols' legal team argued that modern DNA technology could identify the true killer.
July 2021 — 1 developments
Echols's attorneys find most crime scene evidence intact after initial reports of loss
It was reported that physical evidence from the crime scene, requested for new DNA testing by Echols's attorneys, had been lost, misplaced, or destroyed by fire. However, later investigation found most of the evidence still intact.
November 2017 — 1 developments
Jessie Misskelley Jr. arrested on minor traffic charges in November 2017
Jessie Misskelley Jr., one of the West Memphis Three, was arrested on minor traffic charges in November 2017.
August 2011 — 1 developments
West Memphis Three enter Alford pleas, released after 18 years
The West Memphis Three entered Alford pleas, allowing them to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict them. They were released with time served and a 10-year suspended sentence, having spent 18 years in prison.
November 2010 — 1 developments
Arkansas Supreme Court orders new hearing for 3 defendants, allows new DNA evidence
The Arkansas Supreme Court overturned the previous ruling that disallowed new DNA evidence and ordered a new hearing for all three defendants.
July 2007 — 1 developments
New DNA evidence presented; genetic material at crime scene not from victims or defendants
New forensic DNA evidence was presented, indicating that most of the genetic material recovered from the crime scene could not be attributed to the victims or the defendants.
March 1994 — 1 developments
Damien Echols sentenced to death, Misskelley and Baldwin to life imprisonment
Damien Echols was sentenced to death, Jessie Misskelley Jr. to life imprisonment plus two 20-year sentences, and Jason Baldwin to life imprisonment.
June 1993 — 1 developments
Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr. arrested for capital murder
Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr. were arrested and charged with three counts of capital murder. Jessie Misskelley Jr., who has a low IQ, gave a confession after hours of interrogation, which he later recanted.
May 1993 — 2 developments
Three boys found dead in drainage ditch, one mutilated
The naked, hog-tied, and beaten bodies of the three boys were discovered in a drainage ditch in the Robin Hood Hills area. Christopher Byers' body showed signs of mutilation.
Three eight-year-old boys reported missing in West Memphis, Arkansas
Three eight-year-old boys, Christopher Byers, Michael Moore, and Stevie Branch, were reported missing in West Memphis, Arkansas.