Podcast Summary: The Prosecutors - Episode 313: The West Memphis 3 Part 12 -- Body Bags' Joseph Scott Morgan

Introduction

In Episode 313 of The Prosecutors, titled "The West Memphis 3 Part 12 -- Body Bags' Joseph Scott Morgan," hosts Alice and Brett delve deep into the notorious West Memphis Three case, inviting forensic expert Joseph Scott Morgan from the Body Bags podcast to provide a detailed analysis. Released on June 17, 2025, this episode offers listeners an engaging exploration of one of true crime's most enduring mysteries from a prosecutorial and forensic perspective.

Guest Introduction: Joseph Scott Morgan

[02:05] Brett: "I'm Brett."

[02:07] Brett: "And we are the prosecutors today on The Prosecutors. Joseph Scott Morgan of Body Bags joins us to explain the autopsies. Hello everybody, and welcome to this episode of The Prosecutors. I'm Brett and I'm joined as always by my pathological co-host, Alice."

[03:08] Joseph Scott Morgan: "Oh, Brett, it's good to be back."

Joseph Scott Morgan introduces himself as a forensic professor at Jacksonville State University in Alabama and the host of the highly acclaimed Body Bags podcast. With over 375 episodes under his belt, Joseph brings a wealth of experience in forensic pathology and true crime investigations to the discussion.

Examination of the West Memphis Three Case

Autopsy Report Analysis

The central focus of the episode is the analysis of the autopsy reports related to the West Memphis Three case. Joseph emphasizes the critical importance of board certification for forensic pathologists to ensure the accuracy and reliability of autopsy findings.

[07:45] Brett: "When you review this kind of data and you're looking back at an autopsy, autopsies, they were performed now, 32 years ago. How do you...?"

[08:08] Joseph Scott Morgan: "First off, I go and try to vet the person that did the autopsy and try to determine if they're board certified forensic pathologist because there are a lot of people out there that claim that they're a forensic pathologist and they're not."

Joseph underscores the significance of proper training and certification, highlighting historical cases where faulty autopsy data compromised investigations. He points out that in the West Memphis Three case, the handling of bodies—left exposed to the elements and subjected to poor transportation conditions—likely skewed vital forensic data.

Handling of Bodies and Scene

The discussion shifts to the initial handling of the victims' bodies, noting significant procedural lapses that hindered accurate forensic analysis.

[12:43] Alice: "There's a lot of data that has been altered or destroyed."

[17:00] Joseph Scott Morgan: "If there is a body at the scene in many states, the coroner is actually in charge of the scene if there's a body there."

Joseph explains how delays in calling the coroner and improper transportation methods (e.g., moving bodies in air-conditioned vehicles after being exposed to heat) can distort autopsy findings, making it challenging to establish accurate post-mortem intervals and environmental factors.

Discussion on Cause of Death and Injuries

The episode delves into the specifics of the autopsy reports, examining the listed causes of death and the nature of the injuries sustained by the victims.

[37:45] Brett: "Peretti lists the cause of death for two of the boys as multiple injuries and drowning. For Christopher Byers, he only lists multiple injuries."

[43:05] Brett: "Christopher Byers, he's the one with the part of his skull punched into his brain. He's also the one that Peretti does not list the cause of death as drowning."

Joseph and Alice critically analyze these findings, questioning the consistency and thoroughness of the autopsy reports. They explore whether drowning was a primary cause of death or a secondary consequence of severe trauma inflicted during the murder.

Theories on Perpetrators and Methods

The conversation explores potential perpetrators and their methods, weighing the improbability of drowning as a sole method of homicide.

[44:03] Brett: "So, are you saying that you think these boys were murdered by drowning or is it as Alice said, they were beaten so severely they're unconscious, they get tied up, they're put in the water and then they drown?"

[46:27] Brett: "Do you think these murders look like something that was done by multiple people or a single perpetrator?"

Joseph contemplates whether the nature and coordination of the crimes suggest the involvement of multiple individuals or a single sadistic perpetrator. He discusses the challenges in binding multiple victims and the likelihood of a coordinated effort to incapacitate and subsequently drown the victims.

Animal Predation Theory

One of the alternative theories discussed is animal predation, which emerged during post-conviction hearings but was not part of the original trial.

[51:09] Joseph Scott Morgan: "Bite marks in general now are not a thing... and trying to say that a bite was generated by a person or an animal, it's very difficult."

[53:41] Brett: "And they press down in the mud too."

Joseph scrutinizes the feasibility of animal predation explaining certain injuries, such as facial punctures, concluding that while environmental factors like crawfish or turtles in muddy water could contribute to post-mortem injuries, they do not account for all the violent trauma observed.

Challenges in the Case

The hosts and guest discuss the myriad challenges that have impeded the resolution of the West Memphis Three case, including:

• Scarcity of Forensic Evidence: Limited forensic data available from the time of the murders.

• Inconsistent Autopsy Reports: Variability in the thoroughness and accuracy of the autopsy findings.

• Environmental Degradation: Impact of environmental factors on the preservation and analysis of the bodies.

[85:12] Alice: "If it's missing, you can have blood that is missing... I don't know what happened to the blood."

Hope for Resolution

Despite the complexities, there is a sense of cautious optimism regarding modern forensic advancements potentially providing new leads through DNA analysis.

[90:32] Alice: "I'm hopeful that they're going to be able to glean some information all these years later because there have been other cases that have been solved with DNA evidence."

[97:30] Joseph Scott Morgan: "I just hope it wasn't screwed up so bad at the beginning that you've lost everything."

Closing Thoughts

In their closing remarks, Alice and Joseph emphasize the emotional toll on the victims' families and the broader quest for justice. Alice poignantly reflects on the myth of "closure" in such traumatic cases, underscoring the enduring pain experienced by those left behind.

[95:26] Alice: "There is no Such thing as closure. Not with homicides and suicides... Those people require a certain amount of compassion that still exists."

[97:30] Joseph Scott Morgan: "I just hope it wasn't screwed up so bad at the beginning that you've lost everything."

Conclusion

Episode 313 of The Prosecutors offers a profound and methodical analysis of the West Memphis Three case through the lens of forensic pathology and prosecutorial insight. With expert Joseph Scott Morgan contributing his extensive knowledge, the episode not only critiques past investigative shortcomings but also highlights the potential for future forensic advancements to bring long-sought answers. Listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding the case, the interplay of forensic evidence, and the human impact of unresolved mysteries.

Notable Quotes

• [08:08] Joseph Scott Morgan: "There are a lot of people out there that claim that they're a forensic pathologist and they're not. They haven't done a fellowship, they haven't sat for boards."

• [37:45] Brett: "Peretti lists the cause of death for two of the boys as multiple injuries and drowning. For Christopher Byers, he only lists multiple injuries."

• [44:03] Brett: "Are you saying that you think these boys were murdered by drowning or is it... they were beaten so severely they're unconscious, they get tied up, they're put in the water and then they drown?"

• [51:09] Joseph Scott Morgan: "Bite marks in general now are not a thing... you can't quantify it. You kind of qualify it."

• [90:07] Alice: "The biggest lie that American culture has been sold is the idea of closure. There is no Such thing as closure."

For more in-depth discussions and theories on true crime cases, subscribe to The Prosecutors wherever you get your podcasts.