Judge to hear motions in Ark. slaying case
July 8, 1993
By James Kingsley
A hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. July 28 at Marion, Ark., to hear any preliminary matters in the case of three teenagers accused in the murder of three 8-year-old boys from West Memphis.
Circuit Judge David Burnett of Osceola Wednesday night said, "There has been much speculation about motions in the case. I am going to be there to hear the motions."
Burnett is one of four judges of the Second Judicial District, including Judge Olan Parker of Jonesboro, Judge Gerald Pearson of Jonesboro, and Judge Sam Turner of West Memphis.
Burnett said any of the four were willing to handle the case and he was selected by the group.
"I don't know when the trial may begin. I want to hear the matters that have been speculated on. I will decide what can and can't be done," Burnett said.
The judges met after one of the defense attorneys wrote to the circuit court asking for designation of a single judge to assure continuity in the case.
Michael Wayne Echols, 18, Charles Jason Baldwin, 16, and Jessie Lloyd Misskelley Jr., 17, are charged with capital murder in the slayings of the three second-graders. The bodies of Christopher Byers, Michael Moore and Steve Edward Branch were found May 6 in a water-filled ditch, about a mile from where they were last seen riding bicycles in the neighborhood where they lived.
July 8, 1993
By James Kingsley
A hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. July 28 at Marion, Ark., to hear any preliminary matters in the case of three teenagers accused in the murder of three 8-year-old boys from West Memphis.
Circuit Judge David Burnett of Osceola Wednesday night said, "There has been much speculation about motions in the case. I am going to be there to hear the motions."
Burnett is one of four judges of the Second Judicial District, including Judge Olan Parker of Jonesboro, Judge Gerald Pearson of Jonesboro, and Judge Sam Turner of West Memphis.
Burnett said any of the four were willing to handle the case and he was selected by the group.
"I don't know when the trial may begin. I want to hear the matters that have been speculated on. I will decide what can and can't be done," Burnett said.
The judges met after one of the defense attorneys wrote to the circuit court asking for designation of a single judge to assure continuity in the case.
Michael Wayne Echols, 18, Charles Jason Baldwin, 16, and Jessie Lloyd Misskelley Jr., 17, are charged with capital murder in the slayings of the three second-graders. The bodies of Christopher Byers, Michael Moore and Steve Edward Branch were found May 6 in a water-filled ditch, about a mile from where they were last seen riding bicycles in the neighborhood where they lived.
