BONUS: Jessie Misskelley's Recorded Confessions

Summary

The Prosecutors: BONUS Episode - Jessie Misskelley's Recorded Confessions

Podcast: The Prosecutors
Host/Author: PodcastOne
Episode: BONUS: Jessie Misskelley's Recorded Confessions
Release Date: July 19, 2025

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Overview

In this compelling bonus episode of The Prosecutors, hosts Alice and Brett delve into the infamous West Memphis Three case by presenting the raw, unfiltered recorded confessions of Jessie Misskelley Jr. Utilizing these primary sources, the episode offers listeners an intimate glimpse into Jesse's own account of the tragic events that unfolded on June 3, 1993. Through meticulous analysis of the interrogation transcripts, Alice and Brett aim to shed light on the complexities and controversies surrounding Jesse's involvement in the triple homicide case.

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Structure of the Episode

1. Introduction to the Confessions
2. First Recorded Confession: June 3, 1993
   • Jesse's Background
   • The Day of the Crime
   • Interaction with Damien and Jason
   • Description of the Crime
3. Second Recorded Statement: February 17, 1994
   • Continued Interrogation
   • Involvement in a Cult
   • Discrepancies and Psychological Insights
4. Notable Quotes
5. Key Insights and Conclusions

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1. Introduction to the Confessions ([01:39] – [03:02])

Alice begins by contextualizing the importance of Jesse Misskelley's confessions within the broader narrative of the West Memphis Three case. She explains that there are two pivotal recorded statements from Jesse:

• Initial Confession: June 3, 1993
• Follow-Up Statement: February 17, 1994

Alice and Brett emphasize the value of these recordings in understanding Jesse's perspective and the dynamics that led to his conviction.

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2. First Recorded Confession: June 3, 1993 ([03:02] – [40:56])

Jesse's Background

Jesse Misskelley Jr. introduces himself, providing personal details that humanize him and set the stage for his testimony:

• Birth Date: July 1975
• Education: Ninth grade

The Day of the Crime

The interrogation begins with Jesse recounting the events leading up to the murders:

• Receiving the Call: Jesse received a phone call on June 3, 1993, from Jason Balder, who urged him to join him in West Memphis.

  • “[06:04] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: Yesterday. Okay, I went with them. And then.”

• Journey to Robinson Hood Woods: Jesse, Jason, and Damien walked to the woods without using a vehicle.

  • “[06:37] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: All right, we walked.”

Interaction with Damien and Jason

Jesse describes the violent encounter with the three young boys:

• Assault on Christopher Byers and Stephen Branch: Damien physically assaults the boys, while Michael Moore flees.

  • “[07:03] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: Damien and hit this one, hit this one boy real bad.”

• Chasing Michael Moore: Jesse chases Michael Moore to prevent him from escaping.

  • “[09:35] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: Towards the houses.”

Description of the Crime

Jesse provides harrowing details of the assaults and subsequent actions:

• Stripping and Tying Up the Boys: The boys were stripped of their clothing and tied up.

  • “[10:19] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: They had them off.”

• Sexual Assaults and Violence: Jessie describes the sexual violence inflicted upon the boys, including cutting and rape.

  • “[19:22] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: They were Jason stuck his in one of them's mouth...”

• Use of Weapons: Description of Damien wielding a knife and using a stick to inflict injuries.

  • “[08:08] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: He hit him with his fist and bruised them all up real bad.”

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3. Second Recorded Statement: February 17, 1994 ([40:56] – [84:24])

Continued Interrogation

The second interrogation session delves deeper into the events and explores Jesse's associations and psychological state:

• Discrepancies in Timeline: Jesse appears confused about the exact timeline of events, indicating possible stress or coercion.

  • “[16:31] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: Right now?”

• Involvement in a Cult: Jesse admits to participating in a cult-like group, detailing their violent initiation rituals.

  • “[23:36] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: Yes.”
  • “[23:50] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: We go out, kill dogs and stuff and then kill girls out there.”

Involvement in a Cult

Jesse's confessions reveal disturbing insights into his involvement with Damien and Jason:

• Ritualistic Killings: The cult engages in animal sacrifices and violent acts as initiation.

  • “[24:02] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: Everybody all have the origin and stuff like that?”

• Psychological Manipulation: The interrogation highlights the possible influence Damien and Jason had over Jesse, manipulating him into participation.

  • “[29:11] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: No.” (In response to whether he physically participated)

Discrepancies and Psychological Insights

Throughout the second confession, Jesse's statements exhibit inconsistencies:

• Changing Details: Variations in the description of events, such as timing and sequence of actions.

  • “[40:37] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: I was wearing a blue jeans and a white shirt.”

• Emotional Distress: Jesse shows signs of psychological trauma, recalling moments of sickness and fear.

  • “[30:27] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: I got a little bit of ways after or took scene at...”

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4. Notable Quotes

Throughout the confessions, several quotes stand out for their emotional weight and insight into Jesse's mindset:

• “[05:03] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: I couldn't stand to see what they was doing to them.”
  (Expressing his inability to witness the violence)

• “[19:48] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: Jason did.”
  (Attributing specific actions to Jason)

• “[37:05] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: I think they're sick.”
  (Commenting on Damien and Jason's mental state)

• “[37:34] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: Because I was scared.”
  (Explaining his hesitation to come forward)

• “[23:36] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: Yes.”
  (Acknowledging involvement in a cult)

• “[50:14] Jesse Misskelley Jr.: Now I hold him by the head, by the ears and pull him.”
  (Detailing acts of violence)

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5. Key Insights and Conclusions

• Coerced Involvement: Jesse's confessions suggest that his involvement may have been heavily influenced or coerced by peers Damien and Jason, raising questions about his culpability and the fairness of his trial.

• Psychological Trauma: The emotional distress evident in Jesse's statements points to the profound psychological impact the events had on him, potentially affecting his reliability as a witness.

• Cult Dynamics: Jesse's admission of participation in a cult adds a layer of complexity, indicating that the murders were possibly part of a broader pattern of ritualistic violence intended to solidify group cohesion and dominance.

• Inconsistent Narratives: The inconsistencies in Jesse's recounting of events highlight potential manipulation by interrogators or internal conflict, necessitating a critical examination of his statements' authenticity.

• Legal and Ethical Implications: The confessions bring to light significant legal and ethical considerations regarding the treatment of marginalized individuals within the criminal justice system and the influence of authoritative figures on vulnerable defendants.

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Closing Remarks

Alice and Brett conclude the bonus episode by emphasizing the importance of primary source materials in understanding true crime cases. By presenting Jesse Misskelley's recorded confessions, listeners are encouraged to critically assess the narratives constructed by the legal system and consider the multifaceted human elements that play into such high-profile cases.

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Note: The transcript contains sections where the interrogation becomes disjointed and veers off-topic, particularly towards the end ([84:24]). These parts were identified as non-content and thus omitted from the summary to maintain coherence and relevance.

Transcript

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[Host 1]

Hey guys, so we're going to be doing these episodes on Jesse Misskelley's Confessions and we thought be worth it if you guys had heard those confessions before we started talking about them. There were several, but there are only two that are recorded. So there's the initial confession which occurred on June 3, 1993. This is the most famous of Jesse's confessions. It actually occurs in two parts. There's the initial confession and then they come back in an attempt to charitably clean some things up. So then Jesse has his trial and subsequently after he's convicted, he will confess again. And There is a second recorded statement on February 17, 1994. The way this will work, you will hear the first statement. Then you'll hear the cleanup of that first statement. Then you will hear the February 17, 1994 statement. I will tell you these were all recorded on good old fashioned tape recorders. The audio is not the best, but hopefully listening to this will give you some idea of what we're dealing with here and you'll have a better understanding when we start dissecting these statements. Hope you enjoy it and we'll see you soon.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

This is Detective Brian Reeds of the West Memphis Police Department, currently in the West Memphis Police Department conducting an investigation for the offensive triple homicide case file number 9300 450666. Currently in the office with Jesse Lloyd, Ms. Kelly Jr. Birth date 17 of 75. Education as a ninth grade. The place we are in the detective division. Today's date is 63 of 93. The time now is 2:44pm present and the interview will be Inspector Gary gitchell and Jesse. Ms. Kelly. Jesse, in front of me, I have a rights form. Got your signature at the bottom of it. Does that clear your signature?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. We're informing you that we are Detective Sergeant Mike Allen and Detective Brian Ridge. Now, Detective Sergeant Mike Allen is the one that read this form to you earlier, correct?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

And I was here when he read it to you?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Police officers of the West Memphis Police Department, we're conducting an investigation for the offense of capital felony murder which was committed on or about 55 of 93. Before we ask you any questions, you must know and understand your legal rights. Therefore, we want and advise you that you have the right to remain silent. Do you understand that?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

And those are your initials on the line in front of that statement?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, he is.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. Anything you say can be used against you in court. You understand that?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, I do.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

And those are your initials?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, it is.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

You have the right to talk to a lawyer for advice before we ask you any questions and to have him with you during questioning. Understand that?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, I do.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

And those are your initials?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, it is.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish. No cost to you. You understand that?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, I do.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

And those are your initials?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, it is.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

If you decide to answer questions now without a lawyer presence, you will still have the right to stop answering at any time. You understand that?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, I do.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Those are your initials?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, it is.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

You're up here of your own free will. You came up here to answer some questions and basically we found out some information during those questions. Is that correct?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, sure did.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. At the bottom of this form is a waiver of rights. It says, I have read the statement of my rights and I understand what my rights are. I am willing to make a statement and answer questions. I do not want a lawyer at this time. I understand and know what I am doing. No promises or threats have been made to me and no pressure or force has been used against me. Is all that correct?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, it is.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. And you sign the bottom of the form?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, I do.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. It's witnessed by Michael Wayne Allen and myself, Detective Brian Ridge. Okay, just let's go straight to that date. 55 of 93, a Wednesday, early in the morning you received a phone call, Is that correct?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, I did.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Who made that phone call?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Jason Balder.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

What occurred? What did he talk about?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

He called me and asked me could I go, go to Will Smith Memphis with him. And I told him no, I had to work and stuff. And then he told me he had to go to West Memphis. So him and Damien went. Then I went with them.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

All right, when?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Wednesday.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

All right, when did you go with them that morning? Nine o' clock in the morning?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yesterday. Okay, I went with them. And then.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Now were you in a car? Whose car were you on?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

We walked.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Y' all walk?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

All right, we walked. And then a.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Where did you go?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Went up to Robin Hood.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

You went to the Robin Hood? Explain to me where those woods are.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

About Blue Bacon, Turquoise.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Just a little patch of woods. Little patch of woods behind Blue Bacon?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Behind it. Right back there behind it.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, what occurred while you were there?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

When I was there I saw Damien and hit this one, hit this one boy real bad. And then now he started screwing him and stuff. And then.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

All right, you've got in front of you a picture that was taken out of the newspaper. I believe it's got three boys. And these are the three boys that were killed on that date in Robin Hood Woods. Okay, which one of those three boys is it? You say Damien hit the third picture, which will be.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

This boy right here?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yeah.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

All right, that's the buyers boy, Christopher. That's who you're pointing out.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

If you'll read the caption. The Grizzly slaying from left, 8 year old Michael Moore, Stephen Branch and Christopher Byers. Okay, so you saw Damian strike Chris Byers in the head. What did he hit him with?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

He hit him with his fist and bruised them all up real bad. Then Jason turned around and hit Steve Branch, okay. And started doing the same thing. Then the other one took off. Michael Moore took off running. So I chased him and grabbed him and held him to. They got there and then I left.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. All right, when you get the boys back together, where are you at from the creek?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I was up by the service road.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Up by the service road. Okay, now when this, when he hits the first boy, where are they at when he, when he hits him? Are you in the woods? You on the side of the big bio, you out in the field. Where you at?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I was in the woods.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

In the woods. Okay, you've been down there in those woods before. Can you describe to me what in those woods? What's the location where you were? Is there a path you go down?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I was down a little path.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

All right, where does that path go to?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

It lead out that. Close to the field, close to the interstate.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

All right, I was close by the.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Interstate when he hits the first boy and then Jason hits another boy and one takes off running. Where does he run to?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

That one? He runs out, going out the. Out the park. And I chased him and grabbed him, brought him back.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Which way does he go? I mean, does he going back towards where the houses are? Is he going to Blue Bacon? Is he going out towards the field? Where's he running to?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Towards the houses.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Towards the houses where the pipe is? It goes across the water.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yeah.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

He run out there and I called him and brought him back, and then I took off and.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, well, you came back a little bit later and all three boys are tied, Is that right?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Then I took off and went home.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

All right, have they got their clothes on when you saw them tied?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They had them off.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

They had already gotten them off when he first hit the boy. When Damien first hit the first boy, did they have their clothes on then? All right, when did they take their clothes off?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Right after they beat up all three of them and beat them up real bad.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Beat them up real bad. Then they took their clothes off. Then they tied them.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Then they tied them up, tied their hands up. They start screwing them and stuff, cutting them and stuff. Then I saw it, and I turn around, look, and then I took off running. I went home, and then they called me and asked me how come I didn't stay. I told them I just couldn't.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Just couldn't stay for that.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I couldn't stand to see what they was doing to them.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, now when it's going on, when it's taking place, you under. You saw somebody with a knife. Who had a knife?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Jason.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Jason had a knife. What did he cut with the knife? What did you see him cut or who did you see him cut?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I saw him cut one of the little boys.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

All right, where did he cut him at?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

He was cutting him in the face.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Cutting him in the face. All right, Another boy was cut. I understand. Where was he cut at? On his bottom. Was he face down and he was cutting on him?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

He was.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

You talking about bottom? Do you mean right here in his groin area?

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, so you know what his penis is.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yeah, that's where it was.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

That's where he was cut.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Which boy was that?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Right there.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

You're talking about the buyer's boy again. Okay.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Are you sure that he was the one that was cut?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

That's when I seen them cutting on.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

How do you know what a penis is? All right, is that where he was cutting?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

That's where I seen him going down that. When he was on his back. I seen him going down like that, real close to his paintings and stuff, and I saw some blood, and that's when I took off.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Was. Were y' all close to the creek at that point?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Where.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Where was the little boy actually at?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

He was close by.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

All right, you know where the bio is. All right. And you know where the. The little creek is? It goes out to the expressway and doesn't have a lot of water in it, but it's got some water in it and it's flowing through there. Which side of that creek were you on? Were you on the Memphis side of the creek or were you on the blue beacon side of that creek? On the blue beacon. So there's, like, a tall bank. Were you. Where were you at on that bank?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I was up at. Stand up on top.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

All right, where were they at?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They was at the barn.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

On which side? They were on the Memphis side. All right, we're gonna correct that even further. That's the east side. Memphis side is the east side. And you were standing at the top of the bank on the west side. Were you looking down at what was going on?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I was looking down at Dustin, all that. I took off.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, and when you left the. Did you hear any more hollering or anything?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

No.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

All right, you went home, and about what time was it that all this was taking place?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They called me about.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

I'm not saying when they called you. I'm saying what time was it that you were actually there in the park? I was there about 12, about noon. Okay, was it after school had let out? These other boys?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They skipped school.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

They skipped school.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I was going to catch their bus or stuff, and they was on their bikes, so.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

All right, they were on their bikes. Where were their bikes at?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They. They laid their bikes down when they came out there to the. When they. When they hollered for them, told them come out there.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Where did they lay their bikes down? That's what I'm asking.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I don't know where they lay their bikes at down there, because I was. I was behind Damien Neal. Way, way behind them.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

And when they Hollered.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Then I seen them boys, little boys came on over. Had Damien seen these boys before? Has he done things like with them before? Has he just been watching them? Has he had sex with them before? Has he ever had sex with any of them before?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

He's been watching.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

He's been watching. You mentioned earlier that at one of the meetings you went to with this cult thing, they had some pictures. Describe those pictures for me.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They had. That's my house, the trees and stuff.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. Had somebody taken pictures of these boys? Were they in the houses or were they in these trees? When they took those pictures?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They were at the houses.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

At the houses. Did they take like one picture of one boy?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

It was in a group.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Always three.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

A group of pictures of three. All three of them?

[Detective Brian Reeds]

All three of them would generally be together.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

How many pictures did you see? All together?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I just saw one.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay. And it had these same three boys in it.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

You're certain of that?

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Now, did you say the boys skipped school that day? These little boys did. Are you sure?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They was going to catch up going somewhere. And like I said, David, Damian and them left before I did. I told him I meet him there and stuff. I had to get ready and stuff. I meet him there. It was early in the morning, so they went ahead, met me. They went him, went up there and then I came up, you know, later on behind them.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

What time did you get there?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I got there by nine in the.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Morning of Wednesday morning. And when, what time is it?

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Right now?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Right now?

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Yeah. You don't know what time it is?

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Do you not wear a watch?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Sit home?

[Detective Brian Reeds]

So my dad woke me up this morning. Your time period might not be exactly right, what you're saying. It was like early in the day, but you don't know exactly what time. Okay. Because we got. I've got some real confusion with the times you're telling me. But now this 9 o' clock in the evening call that you got, explain that to me.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Well, after all the stuff happened that night that they'd done it. Okay, I went home about noon, then they called me at 9 o' clock that night, they called me.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, and what did they tell you on the telephone?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They asked me how come I left so early and stuff. And I told him I couldn't stand there watching it no more so I had to do something, get out of there.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, who called you?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Jason.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

And you mentioned you heard some voice in the background.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I heard some Damien.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

And what else? I think you said that he made the call from his house.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

He made A call from his house, and Damien was hollering at background, said, we done it, we done it. What we gonna do if somebody saw us? What we gonna do?

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, now the knives, was there one knife, two knives? Was your knife there? Did somebody take you and use your knife? Do you have a knife? Where is it at? Okay, the knife that you said Jason was using, where is it?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I don't. I don't know what he done with it, because after I left, then that's when. I don't know what they done with. After I left. I don't know what they did.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Tell you he hit it somewhere.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

I got a feeling here you're not quite telling me everything. Now. We're, you know, we are recording everything. So this is very, very important to tell us the entire truth. If you were there the whole time, then tell us you were there the whole time. Don't leave anything out. This is very, very important now. Just tell us the truth.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I was there until they tied him up, and then that's when I left. After they tied him up, I left.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

But you saw them cutting on the boys.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I saw them cutting on them.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

So what? What else left is there after that?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They laid the knife down beside them, and I saw them tying them up, and then that's when I left.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Were the boys conscious or were they.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They was unconscious.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Unconscious.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

And then after I left, they done more.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

They done more.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They started screwing again.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, how were they screwing them when you saw them?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They were. Jason stuck his in one of them's mouth and Damien was screaming one of Dias.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. All right. And the one that they were cutting the penis off of, did any of them are cutting the penis or whatever was being done? Did they have sex with him at all?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

No.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Did either one of them.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Jason did.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Jason did.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Jason was screwing him up. Damon stuck his in his mouth and let the bush around.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, how did he have sex with that one?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Damon? He was holding them down like.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Huh.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

And Jason had his legs up in the air and that little boy was kicking, saying, don't. Don't look at.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. He had his legs up in the air. All right, what was to keep these little boys from running off? If just their hands are tied, what's to keep them from running off?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They beat them up so bad. Well, they can't hardly move. They haven't had their hands tied down and just sit on them.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

You said they had their hands tied up. Tied down. Were their hands tied in a fashion to where they couldn't have run? You tell me.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They could they could run. They just had them tied when they knocked them down and stuff. They can hold their arms and stuff and hold them down like. Well, he couldn't raise up and the other one pick his legs up.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. So they had him under control. You were there the whole time, time that was taking place, that was okay. One of them was cut on the face real bad. Is that what you said? And one of them was being cut on his penis?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

All right.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Did you ever use, did anyone use a stick and hit the boys with that mean?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Had kind of a big old stick. When he hit that first one after he hit him with his fist, knocked him down. Then he got a big old stick and hit him.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

What did the stick look like? I mean, was it like a. A big log like that, or is it. Or is it a stick?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I'd say it was about that. About that big round. I say about that long.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

About the size of a baseball bat. Maybe just a little bit bigger around.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yeah.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

That's what you described with your hands. Right.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Okay.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

How long was the knife that Jason was using? All right, you're describing a knife that would be about 6 inches long. Is that right? And what kind of blade did it have on it?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Like a regular, just regular knife blade?

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Was it a knife that you fold up or was it a. Like a hunting knife? That's just one piece, just you fold up knife. It was a folding knife. Okay. Does Damien have a knife? He doesn't have one. He didn't have one that night. Did he borrow yours?

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Did they have a briefcase with them? Didn't you didn't see a briefcase?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Briefcase? Not unless they left it there that, that day before it happened. Not unless they left it there then by and said that day, have you.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Ever seen them with a briefcase before?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I seen that one night. I seen it with them that night.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay, what. What is kept inside that briefcase?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They had some cocaine, a little gun.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Is that where you first saw the pictures of the boys and you saw the pictures in the briefcase when we had that call. Okay, now you have participated in this cult, right?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

How long have you been involved in it?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Been in about three months.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay, what is. Tell me some of the things y' all do typically in the woods as being in this cult.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

We go out, kill dogs and stuff and then kill girls out there.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

All right, what do you do with the girls while you're out there with screws and stuff? Does just everybody take turns?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Everybody all have the origin and stuff like that?

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

When you kill a Dog, what you do is it.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

We usually skin it, build up bonfire and stuff.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Okay.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

When you're initiating somebody new to come into it, come into a call, what actually is done to initiate that person into the cult.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

We usually. We usually, you know, kill the animals, you know, see if he knows. Know how to handle the meat stuff. After we kill him, see if he know he can't handle. Then he don't get in.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, so he kills an animal. You mentioned earlier that he may have to eat part of that animal. What part of the animal would he eat?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Part of the meat off his leg.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Meat off his leg.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

If he can't eat it, then he don't. He don't get in.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Doesn't get into the club. Now, on these. These meetings, have they ever been violent? Anybody got mad and gotten a fight?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

No.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. The night you were in these woods, had y' all been in the water?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yeah, we were in the water. We was playing around in it.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

You were playing around in the water? All right. What were you doing in the water besides just playing? I mean, did the little boys. Had they been in the water? Did they get in the water with y'? All?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

No, they didn't get in the water with us.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. What were you doing in the water?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

We were just sitting there throwing stuff at each other.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. Were y' all having sex?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

No, I wasn't.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

You weren't?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

No.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Was Damien and Jason having sex?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They. They take turns going up under the water.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Going under the water? What were they doing under the water?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I don't know. They. They sit so far away. They. They go up under water, stay for about. I say about 5, 10 seconds, and then come up, the other one go down.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, so they were just messing around in the water. All right. They called for these boys to come over there?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yeah, they seen the boys, and then they hollered. Damien hollering, say, hey, the boys came out there.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Did they call them by name?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They just hollered, and then they just showed up.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Where did the boys put their bikes?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Closed right there. Right there. Before you come in? They laid it down right there. And I don't know what. After I left, I don't know what they done with the bike.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

You didn't do anything, Anything to the bikes at all?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

No.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Are you sure?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Positive.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

You didn't touch the bikes?

[Detective Brian Reeds]

You've been back to this place since that murder, since it took time to flex. What did you do while you were there? I'm being truthful.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I'll sit down there. I just sit there after what they did to the boys.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

I just sit there and did what?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Just thought what they. What happened to them real bad. I just thought, okay. And then I left and stuff.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

And stuff.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I just left and walked on.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

When did you go back there?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Two or three days after it happened and I left.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Were you there by yourself?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I was there by myself.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Did you go there with some more boys once, Me, David, that particular place?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

No.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Are you willing to go down there with us and us have a camcorder and you show us where these things took place? Could you do that? Wouldn't have any problem with that, huh? But you would be able to point out where these things took place, which way the boys came from and where y' all were when he hollered for the boys and stuff like that. You wouldn't have any problem with that.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Cuz that's after. After the murder and stuff. About. Like I said, about two or three days later, after it happened, I went in there and thought about it and I ain't been there since.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, let me ask you something else real serious, and I want you to be real truthful and I want you to think about it before you answer. Don't just say yes or no real quick. I want you to think about it. Did you actually hit any of these boys?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

No.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Tell us the truth.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. Did you actually rape any of these boys? Did you actually kill any of these boys? Did you see any of the boys actually killed?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, which one did you see killed.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Right there that you're pointing to the buyer's boy again.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, how was he actually killed?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

He just. He choked him real bad, like choking him.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, what was he choking him with?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

It was like a little. Like a stick. Just a little stick kind of holding it over his neck.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, so he was choking him to the point to where he actually. He went unconscious. So at that point you feel like he was dead?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yeah.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. Did any of the other two boys. Were you there when they were actually killed? You say you got sick of what you were saying. Did you throw up or anything? Where did you throw up at?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I got a little bit of ways after or took scene at. I left about half a mile of the road is when I threw up stuff. I couldn't hardly run or nothing. I just threw up.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

When you left from there, did you leave running? Were you hiding?

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

You had some blood on your clothes.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I had no blood on me. I didn't get close to them.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Were your clothes wet still?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They was damp, muddy.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Inspector Gitchell touched on a point real Real close. Now. What clothes was Jason wearing that day, that night?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

He wears some blue jeans, boots. The army boots.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Army boots. And what kind of a shirt? You know, everybody wears a special shirt for different things.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

He was wearing a Megadeth shirt.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

A Megadeth.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Metallica.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Metallica shirt. All right. Was he wearing a cap, anything like that?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

No, he didn't wear a cap.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

All right, Damien, what was Damien wearing?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Damien has some night pants on, some boots and a black T shirt.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

All right, was there anything on his shirt? No. Kind of designer, he. These blue jeans that Jason was wearing, the designer jeans, were they old jeans wore out holes? What they look like they had holes.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

In the knees and stuff.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Holes in the knees. What color is Jason's hair?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Blonde.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Bright blonde or like a sandy reddish type blonde? You know the difference?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

It's like a.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Sandy color blonde. Okay. He's wearing blue jeans. He had a Metallica shirt. This is a shirt that's got Metallica across the front of it spelled out and a man's name or something under. Or a picture. Is that right? You tell me.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They had pictures.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Picture of somebody.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Different shirts have, you know, different Metallica shows got different pictures.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Which one did he have?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

He had the, like a. The sky skull on stuff.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Like a skull. Okay. What were you wearing that day?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I just wear regular blue jeans. My shoes.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

What kind of shoes were you wearing?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

My Adidas.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Adidas tennis shoes. Okay, what kind of shirt were you wearing?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I was just wearing a regular. One of my old breezy up T shirts.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, Was it a design shirt, like this bull run type shirt, or was it just a plain white old T shirt? Where are these shoes at now?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

A friend of mine down. He bought them.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

All right, who is that? Buddy? Lucas. The boots that Damien had on, are they army type boots too, or what kind of boots?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Were they close, like arm tight? Not.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Not quite.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, they're black. Is that right? Lace up. Okay. And Jason's black. Lace up.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Jason was black up to.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Oh, they come way up on him. Okay. Damien's didn't come up that far. Okay. Okay. They killed the boys. You decided to go, you went home. How long after you got home before you. You received a phone call? 30 minutes? An hour? An hour after you got home. Okay, so they were there for a lot longer. When he called you on the phone, did he say he just got in?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

When he first got called me, he said, how come. How come I left? I told my. I couldn't stand. I had this males.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, you just. You couldn't stand it and Then Damian.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I heard Damian in the background saying, we done it. We done it. What we going to do now? What about if somebody saw us?

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay, did anybody see you leaving?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

No.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

That you know of.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

That I know of.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Did anybody see Damien and Jason?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I don't know. I left before J.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

But have you heard anybody say that they saw Damien and Jason? You hadn't heard anybody? Okay. Now, these initiations, you said they eat part of the leg muscle. Animals, leg meat, would that involve eating part of the penis of the animal? Just the meat. Has Jason and Damien talked to you since this happened? They haven't talked to you about this?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They ain't say nothing around me. Well, not because I'm around some of my friends. They don't say nothing.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Well, when you've been by yourself, and I'm sure in the last three weeks you've been by yourself with them sometime.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I mean, with that. He keeps on asking me how come I left stuff. Has anybody said anything to me about it?

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Okay. What did he say about when you came to the police department? That boy? You seeing that boy in the woods up there behind the Goodyear place? What did he say about that?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

He didn't know nothing about that.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

He doesn't know that. Okay. What about when you get with Jason by himself?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I just keep starting to ask me what we're gonna do next. I told him I can't do nothing now because I go with my dad every day. I make a ski to school.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

So they're skier. Is that right?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

That's good. Because after what they did, I told them, I just bring up every excuse I gotta work for my daddy's child or something.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

What do you think ought to be done to them for killing these boys?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I think they may be put away for a while.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Put away for a while? You think they're sick or just mean?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I think they're sick.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

They're sick. Okay. Is there anything else you want to add to this statement? Why did you not come forward with this information?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Because I was scared.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Scared of Damien or scared of the police? Are you scared of Damien now?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

No.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Are you scared of the police now? You're not. So we've treated you well. Okay. All right. I'm going to conclude this interview. The time is 3:18.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Here. Jesse, when.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

When you got with the. With the boys and with Jason and Balton, when you three were in the woods and then the little boys come up. About what time was it when the boys came up to the woods?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I say about five or six.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Now, did you have your Watch on. At the time you didn't have your watch on. You told me earlier, around 7 or 8 or. Which time is it.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Starting to get dark?

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Starting to get dark.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay, well, that. That clears it up. I didn't know. That's what I was wondering. Was it getting dark or. Or what?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

We got out there at six, but the boys came up when it was starting to get dark.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay, so you and Jason and Baldwin, Damien, y' all got there right at six. Is that. Is that a normal time y' all meet at 6?

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Yeah.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay, when you do your cult stuff, does 6 mean something? I mean, is that a. Is that a time you normally do? Me. Okay, so y' all met out there at 6 and. And then the boys come up about what time? About 7 o'. Clock. Okay, so y' all were out there with the boys and all this stuff going on and until you noticed it started getting dark. Is that correct? Okay, now you're sure about that?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Okay. Okay.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Hold on just a minute. Okay. Jesse, I asked you about your clothing and you said that. What.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

What were you wearing?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I was wearing a blue jeans and a white shirt. Had some kind of basketball deal on it.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

All right, your shirt, was it a. What kind of shirt was it?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

The white shirt with the basketball on around it?

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Is it a shirt like you got on now? What kind of shirt is it like you got on now? That's. That's a what? A T shirt. Okay, so you had a. A white T shirt with a basketball design on. Okay, what about shoes? What kind of shoes did you have on?

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

White Adidas.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

White and blue. And who has those shoes now?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Buddy Lucas.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

And how's Buddy?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

18, 19.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Why. Why does he have your shoes?

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

We went.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

If we come home for one day and was right there and he didn't have nothing else to wear, so they put on one of my shoes.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay, and where does he live at Lake. Is there.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

By a church?

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Is there a street or anything?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

There is a street belt. They ain't got no names out.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

What street is the church on?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Oh, no, please. Get off of Cherry Street. Cherry Street.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Right in front of it.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Off of Cherry Street. Okay, are there any vehicles around close by that I could recognize that trailer?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

A green truck and a brown van. There's a basketball. Go right there. Where that green truck's at, there's basketball.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Go.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

All right, who tied the boys up?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Damian?

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Did Damien just tie them all up or did anyone help Damien or Jason helped him? Okay, and what did they use to tie them up? A rope okay, what color was a rope?

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Vile.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Did you ever see the boys in the water? All right, how did the boys get in the water?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They pulled them into the water.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

All right, when you say they, who, who is it that pulled them to the water?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Jason and Daniel.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Do you wear a belt?

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Nope.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Does Jason wear a belt? Does Damien wear a belt? What kind of belt does he wear?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

A black leather belt with a bead, like little beads around it.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

With beads around it.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Like little beads, you know, stub as well.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay, about how thick is the belt?

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

About four inches.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Now do you know what four inches looks like?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

The belt was about like that.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay, then belt. Think that's quite four inches, but probably about three, something like that. Which, which boys were rapid?

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

The Myers and the Branch.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay, so you know him by, by name and face? Well enough to call them by name. Okay. Did you, did you see the mole boy? Was he raped?

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

No.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

All right, who raped those two boys?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Jason and Damian.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Do you know which one raped which boy or how did that happen?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Damian raped the. By his servant. Jason raped the br.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

All right, give that to me again.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Now Damian raped the meers by himself and Jason and Damian right there. Branch.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Did anyone have oral sex with a boy? How many of them did they do that to?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Just two. Branch and Myers.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

How did they keep the boys quiet?

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Put their hands over their mouth.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Did they do anything else other than put their hands over their mouth? How did they finally keep them from being quiet? Because the boys band have been hollering.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They stuck the handle of their mouth first and then they stuck a shirt to their mouth.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay, did they do anything else to them to make them be quiet?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

They stood a thigh in the mouth.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Okay.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Did they, were they hitting them before that or afterwards? Just all the time. Now they put the. Whose shirts do they put in their mouth? Jason and Damien, do each other have sex with each other? Did they, did they have any oral sex on the board?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, they. They. One of them stuck their thing in.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

One of the boys mouth while the.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Other one got the other one at the butt stuff.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay, but did, did anyone go down on the boys and, and maybe suck theirs or something? You didn't see that. Did, did they pinch their penis in any way or were rough with it or anything? But you didn't see anyone go down on the boys? Are you sure? Okay. That coke was kind of cold, huh? I tell you, it tasted pretty good to me though. Jesse. When. Now the boy's hands are tied up right? How did, how did they force these boys to have Oral sex on them. How did they have a hold of them?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

One of them had him hold him by the arms. One of the other ones got behind him and stuff.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Did he ever hold him up here or.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

The one that was on my foot.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Front.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Ran by his headlock.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Had him in a headlock. Did he. Did he have him any other way?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

He was holding. Like this by his head like this.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Could have been holding him up here like that.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I was too far away. He was home right there by his head. I could.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

So.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

So pulling them.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay, so who was one of them doing that or both of them doing it? Was Jason.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Jason. The whole thing did it. Then they took turns.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

So they. They both did it to all three of the boys, Just the two of them. But they. They both. Jason and Damien did it to two of the boys and they took turns and they would hold. You tell me again about their hands on. I mean, I know you're.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

You're holding it up.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

All right, so they're. They're up here. Have their hands. All right. Okay. Say that again for me.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Now I hold him by the head, by the ears and pull him.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Okay. Okay.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Requested of the judge that it be delayed until the psychiatric evaluation could be performed and that the court indicated the state that this statement could be taken before that evaluation. Over the objection of Mr. St. That's correct. And the. This statement will be tapered, recorded, and a copy of that tape or that type will be provided to defense council. And that at this point, no promises have been made as to any deals or benefits that will be granted to Kelly as a result of this state. Would you state your. I would like to make a regard to what I have and have not advised. Okay. Jason, can you hear me? I can hear you. And very carefully to what I was about to tell you. I told you that I had. Is that correct? And there just new evidence made court pro based on this evidence. Is that correct? Yes. Okay. Was against my advice and wishes. I'm advising you that I don't think it's a good idea for you to give this space. Do you understand that?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes, I do.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

That boy's giving you the same advice? Yes, I am. A little louder. So you understand that my advice to you is that you not say anything. You understand that? And you're 18 years old and you understand that I've asked for a mental evaluation. I don't know if you'd be in a lot. I asked the court if I could have an opportunity to get you the psychiatric help that you asked for when I was down in my work on Tuesday. You remember asking for that? Yes, I do. You asked me to get you a psychiatrist. Okay. And that's why I asked the judge for an opportunity to get you that evaluation before you made any statement. Do you understand that? Yes. And you also understand that again it's my advice that you're not caught or give any kind of statement here tonight until we have a chance to. To file a motion for new trial and get you evaluations to complete. Do you understand that? Yes, I do. And is your decision to go ahead and make a statement anyway, still want to give a statement despite my advice and counsel?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yes.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Cuz I want something done about it. So is there any part of what I just told you that you don't understand? Not understand everything. Yeah. You want to make this statement regardless of my advice against doing so? Yeah. You want to have an opportunity to talk to anyone else, your father or anyone, before you make a statement? My name? My father. Sir, it's your decision. You're 18 years old. Do you want to talk to your father or not? You realize that once you make your statement, there's no coming back. I know there's no coming back. Anything you want to add to that, Greg? Yes, sir. I'm. I don't always agree with everything Dan says, but this time I agree that I don't think you should say anything, you know, that you're worth telling you. I don't think you should say anything. Yeah. I'm just. Okay. Once you understand that, you want to anyway. Is that right? Right. Something.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Go on.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Let me ask a couple questions before get interested in Jesse. When you arrived here, since you've been here with the deputy sheriff, I think you got here about five. That crash. Okay. Now, nobody has questioned you anything about what happened, is that correct? No. Okay. How have we treated you? None. Okay. Has anybody been rude to you or anything? No. Now, we had burger sandwich And I asked Mr. Crow on the telephone, that's all right, he said, that's perfectly all right. I wasn't. Cheeseburger. Is that correct? Yes, sir. And you had a few. I think I gave you a couple of Diet Cokes before you drank them all when you drank those, is that correct? Yes. You haven't been promised anything for your test and you want to give it free and voluntary and nobody's mistreated you. Okay. Would you state your name please? Jesse. Jesse Lord. M. Jesse, how old are you? Eighteen. And what's your birthday? July 1975. Okay. And where were you residing prior to the time you were arrested, before you were arrested. Okay. Now, I wanted attention back to the. The dice of three little boys were murdered. If you would, on that day, did you go to Robin Hood Woods? Okay, and who did you go there with? Okay, and when you went there, what happened when you got to the woods? We sit there for a while. So your voice come up. Okay, what was you. Had you had anything to drink or had you done any. Was anything like that, that by that time or during that time? Okay, what were you drinking? Whiskey. Okay. And do you recall whether it was daylight or dark when you got to the wood? Day. Okay, and do you. Do you know or do you have any idea what time it was about when you got to the wood? Oh, no. Okay, now where did you enter the woods from? By. By bridge. Okay, and when you. Walking road. Okay. You entered the woods by a bridge near the service road. Okay. Where you are? Who was with you at that point? Where did you get with them? Okay, and is there anybody else with you? And when you entered the woods near that bridge, what happened next? We just get out there, start driving. You know what I'm saying? We have to know it. Now, when you say this, prior to the boys coming up, what was Damien doing? He was just sitting there on one corner. Was he drinking too? What was he drinking? 10 second bill. Okay, and what about Jason? I'm sorry. Okay. Did they appear to be intoxicated? What about you? Did you drink to the point you were intoxicated? I drunk to the point I was. And drank anything with the whiskey?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

No.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Okay, what brand was it? And wheat. Where did you get that from? Okay, was there anybody with you when you got that? Were you the only one there when you got Evan Williams? Summer. Okay, and how much. When did you make arrangements? Started with almost. Where had you been right before hooking up or getting with Damian and Jason? Well, that morning I was away smoking. Right. And about what time did you get there? Roughing? I got off at dinner time. Okay, and after you got off at dinner time? Well, what were you doing right before you met up with Jason and Damon? Where have you been? Okay, and had you seen anybody at Highland Crater park right before you left to meet up with those two? And who had you seen? Okay, and so it was after. Was it. You have any idea what time it was when you left the trailer for approximately. And where were you when, as far as between the trailer park and Robin Hood woods when you ran into or came across Jason and Damon? Okay. Is that where you met him? Okay. Where Were they when you met him by the state? Okay. Did you know ahead of time you were going to meet him there? Okay, how did you know that there was angry? I talked to him a couple times. He wanted me to go to West Texas with him. Jason found some girls and I went. You know what you were going up in. Now, how did you get from Lakeshore to the woods? What route did you take? Remember what Damien was wearing. Okay. Remember what Jason was wearing? No, I don't. I remember what I was wearing. What were you wearing? I was wearing the white shirt, had a basketball, something on front of it, and I had blue jeans. Squeezing and white and blue. Okay, now when you. After you got in the woods, do you have any idea how long you were in the woods before the kids came up?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Not very long.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Okay, now, where were you in relation to the creek that runs through the wood? You know what I'm talking about when I say there's a creek running through it? Okay, the one that. The creek that runs under the brothers Rose. Okay. Were y' all in the creek? Out of the creek. Out of the creek. Okay. Were all three of you out of the creek? Yeah. Okay, and were you. Were you on the blue beacon side or the Memphis side of the creek when the boys came up? Let me ask that again. The creek that runs under the service road and into Robin Hood Woods. Okay? One side inside and one side of it is closer to Memphis. One side. Were y' all on the blue bed or on the Memphis side of that creek? Okay. And which way. Where did the boys come from? Do you know? I don't know. When did you first know they were in the woods? All I know. Okay, and what happened at that point? Get their attention. What. Okay, and when they came over, what happened? You know which one Damian jumped on? Okay. Which ones were. Which two was it that jumped on Damien when he jumped on the other one, what happened at that point? Damien jumps on one and the other two jump on him. What happens next? Now when you go on and jump, every one or whatever. Okay, was that your person, the one that you own? What was there at this time? What was it? How many cannot have eaten? What was being doing this time? Were the kids, the three little boys, were they saying anything or doing anything during this? What about the boy that you were hitting? Is he saying that? He was telling me to stop me enough, stop and bang. Somebody told don't stop. And I got on again. Now, did anybody. At what point or at this point when you're doing that, did they have Their clothes on. Okay. Were they at some point, did they get hit with anything besides your fist? Could hit them with the stick, you know, when you sold it, remember what kind of stick Bangladen had? You saw those sticks we had in court? No, I didn't look at something. You know how long it was. Was it as long as a baseball bat or longer? Baseball bat. Describe for me what it looked like. As far as you say it looked like it's getting carved on it. Is that at the end or middle or bottom? Now I can remember. Okay. Now, when you were hit, when. When you say that you were hitting them and Jason and Damon were hitting them, were they. Were the boys still conscious at that point? For little boys, yeah, it was going to. Did you notice or did. Did you ever see them when they didn't appear to be conscious or they appeared to have been knocked out? No. Okay. You know, at any point did you. Were you there the whole time while this was going on? Okay, how far were you from Damon, Damien and J. Okay, when you say no, let's see, you know how. Door outside this building? No. Okay, so it been about, say, 10 yards or something. Okay. And could you see what they were doing? I didn't pay attention to them. I just. Was that the boy that had the Cub Scout uniform? Now, what did Jason. What did you see Jason and Damon do to the other two? Well, you said he was going to screw him. What did you say when you say was going to. What did you see Damian do? And what happened between him and that little boy, as far as that goes? He said that. Said that he was going to screw the little boy or stick his. His penis in his behind. What did you see Damian do? What was it that Damien did that made you think he was going to do that? Well, I couldn't boy his pants down. How did his pants get down? Who pulled him? Okay, and was the boy running when that happened or was he trying to get away or what was happening? He was. Keep his face. Okay, and then what else did Damian do besides put his pants down? The little boy pants down that made you think he was going to screw him? What do you mean? What did you see? He said that Damian pulled his pants. The little boy's pants down. Did you see Damon do anything else Else that indicated he was going to screw Damon had his clothes on or did he at that point? Okay, and at that point, what was Jason doing at that time? Yeah, around it. Can you show me what you mean by that? Okay. Was the boy lying face down or Face up. Face up. Okay. And did Jason have anything in his hands at that point? He had a knife. Okay. And where was. Was he actually hitting him with the knife or with his fist? Well, the blade was open. Could you see where he was? Was he cutting the boy? No, it looked like he found a nice la. Could you see. Did you ever see him. One of the boys get cut with a knife after he got buried? And I noticed what he does. What did you would. When you saw that, describe to me what you saw Jason do and what you saw happen? Well, when he was done out, where did he. Where did the blood go? He put his head over his mouth. What did Jason do after that? Then he came over where I was at. What he do then? He wondered. Did everyone. What you say to him? What Jackson. He. He looked at me real weird, told me that knife. Had you seen that knife before? Before what? Whose map was it? What did it look like? You saw? A lot like when it folds out once. Yes. Sorry. And, well, what happened to the boys? If you stay. Well, just after you've seen Jason do that, he comes to you. What happens next? Jason went back to that room. Boy, you say? The one boy. Okay. Is that the one that had his penis cut? Yes, sir. Jason goes back to him. What's he doing to him? When he goes back to me. What are you doing at that point? You see him go back. He's castrated. And he sitting born the s. What are you doing? I didn't stop what I was doing. What. What about the boy that you know, what you doing at that point? Nothing. Okay. Okay. Were you still holding on to him? Yeah. Okay, how did you have inhale? Uhhuh. You basically go back to the other for what's. Describe to me what, Daniel. Okay, Jesse, you told me that Jason came over to you and then went back to the boy that had been castrated and started hitting him in the face. What was Damien doing at this point? You said that you had. That the board that you had was unconscious. Tell me what happened next. What you remember happening next?

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

I let him go after that.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

I let him go and damage coming down. So I kept on heading on for five years. Were the other two boys still conscious? He said the one you had was unconscious. Were the other two boys still conscious at that point? We're the one that got castrated. He wasn't moving at first no more. Now what happens next? He said you. Damon still got the other one. Jason's got one, you've got one. What happens next? We've Turned the tape over at least one of the tapes over. Jesse, you said that you got sick going home that night. You mean sick at your stomach Going up stomach till I get sick. Okay. Remember where you were when you threw up? Remember where it was in relation to the road or the overpasses or anything. What'd you do if you bottle? I farted it on the side of a. Like a slope going in over the old path. Where bridge goes over one of the interstates. Yeah, like coming from. From Little Rock. It goes down that bridge, goes towards me. Okay. And that would have been Evan Williams when he left the woods and went back. Were Damien and Jason still in the woods when you left Now? Well, what was it as far as daylight or dark? What was it when you left the woods? I think about it was getting dark. And what did you do then? I went to my house, got my mask. Then I went to Johnny Went wrestling. Was it dark when you left to go wrestling? Believe. But on that night, was it already dark when you got ready to look? So he's ready to go.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

We don't go.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

We sit there. Is everything you told me true? Is there parts of what happened that night that are hard for you to remember? Parts? I mean, are there things that happened that night that it's hard or difficult for you to remember? This is I can make understand. Are there events that took place that night, things that happened that are somewhat difficult to remember? Absolutely. Were you there when the three boys were killed? Yes, I Right. I like to ask a question. All right. When they threw them in the water, were any of them kicking or screaming or anything? Or were they all one doctor, do you know? They wasn't hollering. They. One of them was just moving. Moving. When you say moving, how was it moving? They wish. Was this the one that was castrated.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

Or.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Who threw them in the water? Did they just push them down and submerge them, you know, weighed them down or just throw me or do you know? I don't know. But you sit down there watching. I said put them in the water, but I don't know what they did after I let them. Yeah, would you let them for what they did? Right. And after it was over, did y' all have some conversations tonight? Dread? No. When I seen Dan Jason on the 14th, they just look at me. So y' all have a situation for that? Say that he used switch blade now got a little button on at the end of.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

How.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

How long was it? Have you seen it? No. Did you know it belongs to.

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

Have you seen it before.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Yeah. Jesse was published with the Tapestry. Prior to making the statement, you refused the complication program, is that correct? Yesterday you didn't want to talk to him. And again, we advise you not to make the statement the correct.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Yeah.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

I would like to earlier that I think a very strong opinion that he's program himself may ask one Jesse, I asked you earlier about what you just told me about the events that took place tonight. I made this. Is that what you told me? The truth? Yes, sir. Okay. And if asked to testify to that in court, would you take. Would you and could you testify truthfully to others that would conclude Your statement at 8:45 on 2-17-94?

[Detective Brian Reeds]

I'mma put you on, nephew. I've been hitting up McDonald's for years, saying I need the snack wrap. What's up with that? Snack wrap? Is the snack wrap back yet?

[Detective Sergeant Mike Allen]

All right, un.

[Detective Brian Reeds]

When we get to the window, I got this.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

Welcome to McDonald's.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Can I take your order, miss?

[Detective Brian Reeds]

I posted and sent DMs every day. Now it's back. We need snack wraps.

[Jesse Misskelley Jr.]

What's a snack wrap?

[Detective Brian Reeds]

It's the return of something great.

[Detective Gary Gitchell]

Oh, so what you're saying is snack wrap is back?