Baden, Douglas, Among Top Experts Examining 'West Memphis Three' Case

The convictions of Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley in the 1993 murders of three boys at Robin Hood Hills in West Memphis, Arkansas may have yet another chapter in the long history of one of the most controversial cases in America. It has been suggested that part of the reason that the ‘West Memphis Three’ were convicted in 1994 involved financial woes in which the defense teams for Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley could not afford experts to examine the evidence of the case.

In light of new evidence that includes possible bite marks found on at least one of the victims and the recent conclusion of DNA testing, donations from actors, musicians, and supporters around the world have made it possible for some of the country’s leading experts to examine the case nearly fifteen years later.

Dr. Michael Baden, internationally respected chief forensic pathologist for the New York State Police Department, has reviewed the case and autopsy photos and written a report regarding his findings. Dr. Baden also took part in a meeting to review new evidence in the case that included the Arkansas state medical examiner, the defense team, crime lab employees, prosecutor Brent Davis, and four expert forensic pathologists and odontologists.

In regards to the murders at Robin Hood Hills, Dr. Baden has stated in one of HBO's "Ask Dr. Baden" Q&A sessions that “I have been impressed with the many bulletin board comments on the Robin Hills murders. As a result of all of your interest, I am now gathering and reviewing information relative to that matter so that I can more intelligently evaluate and discuss the forensic issues soon at this site.”

John Douglas, legendary founder and chief of the FBI’s Investigative Support Unit has been extensively reviewing the case since the early part of this year. Over the last three decades, Mr. Douglas has viewed and taken part in literally thousands of cases, some of them among the most complex cases in the country. Mr. Douglas is expected to make a report concerning his findings in the case as well.

Dr. Baden and John Douglas are two of an increasing number of experts who are viewing the case and are expected to make decisions on whether they feel the original evidence is consistent with the convictions of the infamous ‘West Memphis Three’, the details of what new evidence has been found, and whether or not the results of their findings, like the recently released DNA Status report filed by the defense, seems to point away from the convicted. It has been speculated that the conclusions reached by Dr. Baden, John Douglas, and other experts involved in the case could be favorable for the defense and may come a long way in granting the ‘West Memphis Three’ a new trial.

Dr. Michael Baden is former Chief Medical Examiner of New York City and has performed over 20,000 medico-legal autopsies. Dr. Baden is also host of HBO’s “Autopsy” series, and served as Chairman of the Forensic Pathology Panel of the U.S. Congress Select Committee on Assassinations that re-investigated the deaths of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Baden has given expert testimony in cases involving Medgar Evers, John Belushi, Yankee Manager Billy Martin, O.J. Simpson, and Robert Blake, among others.

John Douglas is a former FBI Special Agent who pioneered the concept of Criminal Profiling. Mr. Douglas developed the original psychological profile of the Unabomber and has hunted, confronted, captured, interviewed, or studied some of the most prolific killers of our time including Charles Manson, Seattle’s Green River Killer, John Wayne Gacy, and San Francisco’s Trailside Killer, among others. More recently Mr. Douglas acted as consultant in the JonBenet Ramsey case, and was part of the team that investigated Dennis Rader, the notorious BTK Strangler.