Podcast Summary: The Prosecutors – Episode 316: The West Memphis 3 Part 15 -- The Trials

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Prosecutors
• Host/Author: PodcastOne
• Description: A true crime podcast offering a unique prosecutorial perspective on infamous cold case mysteries. Hosts Alice and Brett delve into cases involving murder, disappearances, and mayhem with insights drawn from their backgrounds as prosecutors.
• Episode: 316. The West Memphis 3 Part 15 -- The Trials
• Release Date: July 1, 2025

Introduction to the Episode

In Episode 316, titled "The West Memphis 3 Part 15 -- The Trials," hosts Brett and Alice continue their deep dive into the West Memphis Three case, focusing specifically on the trials of Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin. This episode marks the 15th installment in their comprehensive coverage of this notorious case.

Notable Quote:

Brett [03:09]: "Today on the Prosecutors, we take a look at the trials in the West Memphis three case."

Prosecutorial Perspective on the Trials

The hosts examine the intricacies of the trials, highlighting key moments and evidence that played pivotal roles in the convictions of Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin.

Damien Echols's Conduct in Trial

Damien Echols exhibited behavior that the prosecution found prejudicial. Notably, he "blew kisses at the family" during pretrial hearings and at trial, which the prosecutors argued portrayed him as untrustworthy and contemptuous.

Notable Quote:

Brett [04:00]: "You can imagine, you know, the jury hears, oh, this guy is professing his innocence, is blowing kisses. The parents of dead children. Not a great moment for him."

Joint Trials of Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin

Alice and Brett discuss the defense counsel's decision not to sever the trials of Damien and Jason. By keeping their trials together, Damien's behavior potentially overshadowed Jason's defense, limiting opportunities to present contradictory evidence.

Notable Quote:

Brett [03:33]: "If they had moved to separate those trials and say that they had a defense that was contradictory to Damien's... it was never going to be severed unless they made that argument, and they never did."

Key Evidence Examined

The Lake Knife

One of the main pieces of evidence against Jason Baldwin was the "lake knife," a weapon found near Jason's trailer park, Lakeshore. Prosecutors argued that the wounds on the victims matched the serrations on the knife and that its location suggested it was thrown from Baldwin's pier post-murder.

Notable Quote:

Brett [04:30]: "The knife was presented at trial as the knife involved in the murders... it was determined from a map made by the police that it could have only been tossed in the water from the pier behind Jason Baldwin's trailer."

Michael Ray Carson's Testimony

Carson, a roommate of Jason Baldwin in detention, claimed Baldwin confessed to him about the murders. However, other inmates disputed Carson's account, questioning the reliability of his statements.

Notable Quote:

Brett [09:03]: "Carson suggested that a Daniel Biddle could confirm his story... Biddle swore out an affidavit saying that he'd never played cards with Baldwin and that he'd never heard Baldwin talk about the crime with anyone."

Physical Evidence: Fibers and Wax

The prosecution presented various fiber and wax evidence linking the defendants to the crime scene. However, the defense highlighted inconsistencies and the limited conclusiveness of such evidence.

Notable Quote:

Sarah [18:44]: "A single light brown hair was found beneath one of Chris Byers' ligatures... It was microscopically similar to Baldwin's hair. But the Alabama Forensic Science Laboratory said it was not."

DNA Evidence and Procedural Rulings

A significant moment in the trials involved DNA evidence on a necklace associated with Damien Echols. Initial attempts to link the DNA to both the victim and Baldwin raised concerns about the validity of the trials.

Notable Quote:

Sarah [31:15]: "DNA has not been incredibly useful... New DNA testing is apparently currently in the works."

Prosecutorial Insight: Judge Burnett ruled that introducing the necklace's DNA evidence would require severing the trials, a move the prosecution deemed wise to avoid undermining Baldwin’s conviction.

Softball Game Testimony

Witnesses at a girls' softball game testified that they overheard Damien Echols admitting involvement in the murders, which the prosecution used to bolster their case.

Notable Quote:

Sarah [40:59]: "He 100% said it. There's no question he said it."

Brett's Analysis: While acknowledging Damien’s admission, Brett suggests the possibility that Damien may have been joking or seeking attention, questioning the reliability of this testimony in isolation.

Jesse Misskelley’s Confession

The episode touches upon Jesse Misskelley's confession, noting inconsistencies and credibility issues. Misskelley provided detailed accounts of the murders, which the prosecution used against the defendants, but later recanted parts of his statements.

Notable Quote:

Brett [15:22]: "I don't give a lot of weight to what Carson has said, but this was what was at trial at the time of the convictions."

Judicial Conduct and Bias Allegations

The hosts address accusations of bias against Judge Burnett, clarifying that his rulings were consistent with legal standards and that appellate courts affirmed his decisions until the DNA evidence was revisited.

Notable Quote:

Brett [55:37]: "Every one of Judge Burnett's findings had been confirmed by the appellate court and the Arkansas Supreme Court."

Conclusion and Next Steps

Alice and Brett conclude the episode by outlining their plans for future discussions, including deeper analyses of trial testimonies, confessions, alternative suspects, and developing their own theories on the case.

Notable Quote:

Brett [65:03]: "We're going to talk in depth about the alibis of the three defendants... and then we're going to give you our theories on the case."

Final Thoughts

This episode provides a meticulous prosecutorial examination of the West Memphis Three trials, highlighting the complexities and contentious evidence that led to Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin's convictions. Through detailed analysis and critical questioning of witness testimonies and physical evidence, hosts Brett and Alice offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and controversies surrounding this infamous case.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, non-content discussions, and outro sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions related to the West Memphis Three trials.