Summary of The Prosecutors Episode 301: West Memphis 3 Part 3

Release Date: April 15, 2025
Podcast: The Prosecutors
Host: Alice and Brett
Description: In this third installment of their deep dive into the West Memphis Three case, prosecutors Alice and Brett meticulously analyze the conflicting timelines, witness testimonies, and alibis surrounding the infamous true crime mystery.

1. Introduction

Brett and Alice welcome listeners back to The Prosecutors, setting the stage for a detailed examination of the West Memphis Three case. They acknowledge the complexity of the case, noting the multitude of names, locations, and conflicting timelines that make it a challenging yet fascinating subject.

2. Revisiting the Timeline

The hosts focus on reconstructing the timeline of the day the West Memphis Three were murdered, scrutinizing various witness accounts and their reliability.

• Early Sightings Around 5:45 PM

  • Alan Bailey Jr. and Otto Bailey Jr.: Both report seeing Stevie Branch and Michael Moore exiting their driveway towards Mayfair Apartments, notably mentioning the boys were wearing backpacks. Brett highlights, "Alan and Otto are the only ones mentioning backpacks, which weren’t found with the bodies." ([05:45])

• Ben Crafton's Observation at 6:00 PM

  • Ben Crafton (15 years old): Claims to have seen Stevie, Michael, and Kim Williams riding their bikes together, noting the colors of their bicycles. Brett connects these details to the victims' actual bikes, reinforcing the credibility of this sighting. ([06:00])

• Challenges in Witness Testimonies

  • Alice: Points out the difficulty in aligning witness recollections due to the boys regularly playing together, leading to potential memory distortions. "If you're recalling any sort of time in the last 24 hours, I can easily be off by much more than 30 minutes." ([07:16])

3. Discrepancies and Conflicting Accounts

The episode delves into inconsistencies within witness statements, raising questions about the validity of certain alibis.

• Otto Bailey's Credibility Issues

  • Brett: Discusses Otto Bailey’s questionable reliability, citing his history of trolling on CB radio and an incident where he threatened another CB operator. This behavior undermines his credibility regarding sightings of the boys. ([09:00])

• Dana Moore's Testimony at 6:30 PM

  • Dana Moore (Michael’s Mother): Claims to have seen the boys with Christopher Byers, adding another layer to the timeline. Alice notes inconsistencies with previous testimonies and the proximity of these sightings to Robin Hood Hills. ([06:30])

• Jamie Clark Ballard and Deborah Moyer's Affidavits

  • Alice: Critiques the affidavits filed 16 years later, suggesting that memories may have been conflated or influenced over time. "They probably saw the boys often and later mistook an ordinary evening for the day of the murders." ([17:21])

4. Alibis of the Accused

Exploration of the West Memphis Three’s alibis and their plausibility within the established timeline.

• Garrett Schwarting’s Alibi (44:52)

  • Alice and Brett: Question the reliability of Garrett’s statement about being at Jason Baldwin’s house until 9 PM, especially after he recants his initial inconsistent statements. ([44:52])

• John Mark Byers’ Involvement (50:57)

  • Brett: Argues that John Mark Byers could not have committed the murders given his documented activities searching for his missing son during the critical time frame. "It's impossible for John Mark Byers to have pulled this off." ([50:57])

• Stephanie Dollar and Police Reports (45:22)

  • Brett: Highlights the slapping incident involving Connie Mulder and Cody Dollar at 6:30 PM, emphasizing its significance in narrowing down the timeline. ([45:22])

5. Critical Analysis of Key Events

The hosts critically analyze pivotal moments and their implications on the case’s timeline.

• Connie Mulder Slapping Cody Dollar (35:37)

  • Brett: Describes the incident as a notable event that draws police attention, complicating the timeline further. ([35:37])

• Terry Hobbs’ Alleged Presence (47:45)

  • Alice and Brett: Express skepticism about John Mark Byers’ later claims of seeing Terry Hobbs at the scene, noting the absence of contemporaneous police records corroborating this. ([47:45])

• Sunset and Environmental Factors (54:53)

  • Alice: Discusses how the interpretation of sunset times can vary among witnesses, affecting the perceived timeline of events. ([54:53])

6. Conclusion and Exoneration of Suspects

Alice and Brett summarize their findings, exonerating certain individuals based on the impossibility of their involvement given their alibis and actions on the day of the murders.

• Exoneration of John Mark Byers:

  • Brett: Concludes that the timeline conclusively clears Byers of any involvement. "I think we're going to talk more about John Mark Byers as we go but maybe not as much as you would expect because it just feels like he's a sideshow." ([50:57])

• Call for Listener Engagement:

  • The hosts encourage listeners to share any new information they might have, emphasizing the ongoing nature of their investigation. ([71:32])

7. Notable Quotes

• Brett at [05:45]: "Otto and Alan are the only ones mentioning backpacks, which weren’t found with the bodies."
• Alice at [07:16]: "If you're recalling any sort of time in the last 24 hours, I can easily be off by much more than 30 minutes."
• Brett at [50:57]: "It is impossible for John Mark Byers to have pulled this off."
• Brett at [35:37]: "This is, this is a very suspect memory because it certainly wasn't stated at the time."

8. Final Thoughts

Alice and Brett reflect on the nature of the West Memphis Three case, highlighting the tragic spontaneity of the night and the pervasive community involvement. They emphasize the importance of meticulous timeline reconstruction and the impact of psychological factors on witness testimonies.

• Alice at [63:31]: "This is a very community-oriented type of night, which is in some ways so much more devastating to me because there were lots of eyes on these boys, intentionally or not."
• Brett at [65:36]: Discusses the role of technology and software development in modern justice systems, advocating for the involvement of tech-savvy individuals to aid in criminal investigations.

9. Episode Highlights

• Detailed Timeline Analysis: Comprehensive breakdown of each witness’s account and the timing of their sightings.
• Credibility Assessments: Critical evaluation of witness reliability and potential biases.
• Exoneration of Key Suspects: Logical reasoning leading to the clearance of individuals like John Mark Byers based on alibi validation.
• Community Impact: Exploration of how the close-knit community dynamics influenced witness testimonies and investigation focus.

10. Conclusion

Episode 301 of The Prosecutors offers a thorough and engaging examination of the West Memphis Three case, dissecting the intricate timeline and spotlighting the complexities of witness testimonies. Alice and Brett provide valuable insights into the challenges of reconstructing events in a high-profile true crime case, urging listeners to consider the nuances that documentaries and mainstream coverage might overlook.

For listeners eager to delve deeper into the West Memphis Three case, stay tuned for the next episode where Alice and Brett will continue to unravel the remaining mysteries surrounding this enduring true crime story.