Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three

Devil's Knot will haunt me for the rest of my days. I guess it got to me because when I read this my kids were very young and the thought that this could happen to anyone really kept me up at night. I hated reading it and loved reading it at the same time. There were so many things that were done wrong during the investigation. It's terrifying to know that the justice system can screw up so badly. This novel isn't just a story, it's a deep look into an investigation gone wrong.

What an incredibly sad story both for the three young victims and for the West Memphis 3. Anyone who reads this book can't help but smack their head in wonderment as three young men are convicted on NO evidence. The West Memphis Three were victims of a an overzealous police force and prosecution who crafted the story and then tried to make the "evidence" fit it. Think it doesn't happen all the time, just ask Amanda Knox who served 4 years for the murder of her roommate in Italy in a case that has more than a few echos of this one. If it wasn't for the Paradise Lost documentary film makers, three innocent men, one on death row, would still be incarcerated. This book does an excellent job of dissecting the lack of evidence against The show more West Memphis 3. If there is a fault with this book it is only that it was written before their release so it feels like the story is unfinished. An updated chapter would greatly enhance the book. In any case for more information readers can turn to Damien Echols own words in his recently written memoir, Life After Death which chronicles the efforts that took place on his behalf and which eventually freed him. I believe similar miscarriages of justice occur all of the time and we need to seriously look at abolishing capital punishment. show less

Truly one of the most well-written in the True Crime genre, this is an exhaustive case study of the apparent railroading of three innocent young boys. I was horrified to discover that the word of an alleged co-defendant, and a borderline retarded one at that, is enough to convict a defendant and sentence him to death.

This story is sad, gripping, and at times infuriating, but no more so than when thinking about the murder victims. Not only were they destroyed, but their families have been misled and there killer is, in all likelihood, still roaming free.

"Children don't write their own tragedies. That is the work of adults."

The story of the West Memphis 3 is a sad, infuriating tale of the corruption of law and how appearences and interests other than the "norm" are grounds to convict someone rather than actual evidence. Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr. were sentenced for false accusations and a forced confession that were illogically believable. But even so, that did not save the three from being thrown behind bars.
This story I had heard of when I was a teenager, so when I came across this book i wanted to delve more into it. I did not know until now how savagely the court systems had prejudice against these three men and how their charges should of never been show more founded.
I can only encourage a reader who is thinking of reading this book to definitly do so for it will show the facts that these men were wrongfully convicted and that you can't always trust the law. show less

Fantastic look at a miscarraige of justice. Not only do the young victims of this horrendous crime get justice, the three teenagers falsely accused get no justice as well. I could not put this book down and was appalled by the actions of the people investigating this crime. There are six victims here and someone has gotten away with this. The recent "release" of the WM3 prompted me to read this book and it is truely a compelling read. A modern day witch hunt if there ever was one. Well written, well researched, and a truely frightening read.

It is hard to describe how I feel after completing this book. Obviously what happened to the 3 young boys was awful...just unimaginable. Had I been on either of the juries, I may have had reasonable doubt when it came to the guilt of the teens convicted which in our country, is enough to free someone and in this case, it is hard to believe that 2 separate juries didn't have reasonable doubt. There was ZERO physical evidence and alibis and more than one shady stepparent in the lives of the young boys who should have been investigated.

Incredibly detailed account of the crime, investigation, and legal proceedings covering about ten years. Educational for me, and interesting mainly because of the recurring irregularities in the investigations and trials.Thought-provoking.