West Memphis Three case DNA testing
A Crittenden County Circuit Court judge denied a petition for advanced DNA testing by Damien Echols in June 2026, despite an April 2024 Arkansas Supreme Court decision allowing such testing to proceed. As of June 23, 2026, DNA testing in the West Memphis Three case is still anticipated to begin in July 2026, utilizing the "M-Vac" method on evidence including ligatures and hairs that have been at Bode Technology since fall 2025. This follows a 2025 judicial approval to test new evidence and a 2007 DNA test that excluded the West Memphis Three.
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June 2026 — 2 developments
A Crittenden County Circuit Court judge denied a petition for advanced DNA testing by Damien Echols in June 2026.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
The Arkansas Supreme Court approved new DNA testing in the West Memphis Three case in April 2024, following a two-year legal battle.
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
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.
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
Investigative journalist George Jared highlighted specific inconsistencies in Jessie Misskelley Jr.
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.
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.
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'.
An Arkansas judge approved the retesting of approximately 15 different DNA samples from the crime sc…
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
A joint agreement has been reached between Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, Jessie Misskelley Jr.
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
Former lead attorney for the West Memphis Three, Dan Stidham, is now sharing previously unreleased information about the case.
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
An attorney for one of the West Memphis Three argues that 'satanic panic' led to wrongful conviction…
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
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.
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
A lawyer who represented Jessie Misskelley has recently spoken out, claiming Misskelley's 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
The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that Damien Echols is entitled to petition an Arkansas court for new DNA testing of crime-scene evidence.
The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that Damien Echols is entitled to petition an Arkansas court for new DNA testing of crime-scene evidence.
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.
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
The Arkansas Supreme Court heard oral arguments in January 2024 concerning Damien Echols' request for new DNA testing of crime-scene evidence.
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
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.
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.
Jessie Misskelley Jr., one of the West Memphis Three, was arrested on minor traffic charges in November 2017.
August 2011 — 1 developments
The West Memphis Three entered Alford pleas, allowing them to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict them.
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
The Arkansas Supreme Court overturned the previous ruling that disallowed new DNA evidence and ordered a new hearing for all three defendants.
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 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.
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 was sentenced to death, Jessie Misskelley Jr.
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.
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
The naked, hog-tied, and beaten bodies of the three boys were discovered in a drainage ditch in the Robin Hood Hills area.
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, Christopher Byers, Michael Moore, and Stevie Branch, were 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.