[Hi, all --hope no one minds me doing these in batches...keeps them easier to remember what is said where - K]
Saturday, June 5, 1993 - Teens arrested in murder of boys. Front page, with photo.
West Memphis, Ark. (AP)
Emotions here boiled over as three teenagers appeared in court on capital murder charges. Recaps victims names, discovery of bodies.
Gitchell would not discuss motive or what was found when boys homes were searched. Names the three teens, and that they will be charged as adults.
Court interrupted when Steven Branch threatens Echols with Ill chase you all the way to hell and Ill see you dead before he was led out of courtroom. West Memphis Municipal Judge Pal Rainey warns against further outburst.
Gitchell says Miskelley was arrested Thursday afternoon at WMPD, and Echols and Baldwin were arrested at Echols home Thursday night. He says Echols and Baldwin were suspects since early in the investigation, and says It was like a big puzzle, and the pieces started falling in place to make a clear picture. Claims evidence against all three is very strong, and rates the strength of the case an 11 on a scale of one to ten.
Article repeats investigation details and how children had been kept supervised since the discovery. Notes Rumors that devil-worshipping played a role in the murders persisted Friday in West Memphis.
A local youth minister, Rick McKinney, is reported that he told Little Rock television KARK that he talked with Echols at a revival about two years ago and that [Echols] was very adamant about the fact that he couldnt go to heaven, that he made a pact with someone, and he said he was going to hell and he knew it.
Three suspects did not enter pleas and were ordered held without bond until the case is transferred to state circuit court and taken to separate locations, which were withheld to protect their safety.
In parentheses, the article notes The Sun learned Friday that Baldwin was brought to the Craighead County Jail Friday afternoon by Crittenden County authorities. Craighead Sheriff Larry Emison confirmed that Baldwin was being held in the jail, but declined further comment.
Describes a crowd of 150-200 people waiting behind the building when the three were taken away. Crowd shouted angry comments such as murderer, freak, baby-killer, and shoot em.
Next three paragraphs are descriptions by teachers and friends about the three victims. Michael is described as a jester who loved math, loved uniforms and once wore his fathers navy uniform to class. Chris is described as a big talker, when he wasnt doing cartwheels and watercolor paintings. Steve is described as A straight-A student who loved to read. Pam Hobbs is reported as not returning to the town where her Stevie lived with her and stepfather, and having moved to Blytheville. She says she was acquainted with Echols, but doesnt say how.
Echols father, Joe Hutchinson, is reported as saying police are trying to frame his son, and says For the past month theyve been following him around, theyve been harassing him everywhere he went. He says police are searching the trailer home, and that he knows without a doubt in his mind that Echols didnt do it. He says he thinks police arrested Echols because the heat got so hot on these cops they had to pin it on somebody.
[end of article 1 of 3 on Front Page]
Saturday, June 5, 1993 - Teens arrested in murder of boys. Front page, with photo.
West Memphis, Ark. (AP)
Emotions here boiled over as three teenagers appeared in court on capital murder charges. Recaps victims names, discovery of bodies.
Gitchell would not discuss motive or what was found when boys homes were searched. Names the three teens, and that they will be charged as adults.
Court interrupted when Steven Branch threatens Echols with Ill chase you all the way to hell and Ill see you dead before he was led out of courtroom. West Memphis Municipal Judge Pal Rainey warns against further outburst.
Gitchell says Miskelley was arrested Thursday afternoon at WMPD, and Echols and Baldwin were arrested at Echols home Thursday night. He says Echols and Baldwin were suspects since early in the investigation, and says It was like a big puzzle, and the pieces started falling in place to make a clear picture. Claims evidence against all three is very strong, and rates the strength of the case an 11 on a scale of one to ten.
Article repeats investigation details and how children had been kept supervised since the discovery. Notes Rumors that devil-worshipping played a role in the murders persisted Friday in West Memphis.
A local youth minister, Rick McKinney, is reported that he told Little Rock television KARK that he talked with Echols at a revival about two years ago and that [Echols] was very adamant about the fact that he couldnt go to heaven, that he made a pact with someone, and he said he was going to hell and he knew it.
Three suspects did not enter pleas and were ordered held without bond until the case is transferred to state circuit court and taken to separate locations, which were withheld to protect their safety.
In parentheses, the article notes The Sun learned Friday that Baldwin was brought to the Craighead County Jail Friday afternoon by Crittenden County authorities. Craighead Sheriff Larry Emison confirmed that Baldwin was being held in the jail, but declined further comment.
Describes a crowd of 150-200 people waiting behind the building when the three were taken away. Crowd shouted angry comments such as murderer, freak, baby-killer, and shoot em.
Next three paragraphs are descriptions by teachers and friends about the three victims. Michael is described as a jester who loved math, loved uniforms and once wore his fathers navy uniform to class. Chris is described as a big talker, when he wasnt doing cartwheels and watercolor paintings. Steve is described as A straight-A student who loved to read. Pam Hobbs is reported as not returning to the town where her Stevie lived with her and stepfather, and having moved to Blytheville. She says she was acquainted with Echols, but doesnt say how.
Echols father, Joe Hutchinson, is reported as saying police are trying to frame his son, and says For the past month theyve been following him around, theyve been harassing him everywhere he went. He says police are searching the trailer home, and that he knows without a doubt in his mind that Echols didnt do it. He says he thinks police arrested Echols because the heat got so hot on these cops they had to pin it on somebody.
[end of article 1 of 3 on Front Page]
