May 3, 1993, the bodies of three brutally murdered eight-year-old boys, reported missing the day before, were recovered in Robin Hood Hills, a section of forest in West Memphis, Ark. A few days later, 17-year-old Jessie Miskelley confessed to police that he, along with fellow 17-year-olds Damien Echols and Jason Baldwin, killed the children.
The case progressed to trial, and all three defendants were found guilty. Miskelley and Baldwin were sentenced to life in prison, while Echols was sentenced to die by lethal injection.
On the surface, this case seems fairly cut-and-dry. It’s what isn’t immediately apparent that has caused two HBO documentaries, “Paradise Lost” parts one and two, and now a benefit CD of punk, metal and rock artists covering Black Flag songs, entitled Rise Above, to question all aspects of the case, from the investigation to Miskelley’s confession to the alleged perpetrators’ guilt and sentencing.
First of all, Miskelley’s “confession” occurred after over 12 hours of police interrogation. Only 45 minutes of the interrogation were taped — interestingly enough, the confession occurred during these 45 minutes. Miskelley has an IQ of 72.
Another issue is why police pursued Echols, Baldwin or Miskelley in the first place. All three have alibis for the night of the murder; however, Echols in particular was known to be interested in the occult, listen to music like Marilyn Manson and Metallica, and dress in black. Because of these facts, police alleged that the three committed the murders as part of a satanic sacrifice ritual.
There’s also the matter of potential evidence against Echols’, Miskelley’s and Baldwin’s involvement either not being investigated or simply “misplaced.”
For example, the night the eight-year-olds were murdered, an African-American man covered with blood and mud was seen at a restaurant not far from where the bodies were found. Police were called to the restaurant, but simply drove around the perimeter and didn’t enter the building.
The police returned the next day and collected a blood sample from the wall of the men’s restroom; however, the sample was later lost. Also, no blood from any of the victims was found at the alleged crime scene where the bodies were recovered. Given the brutal nature of the murders, this seems improbable.
Henry Rollins, former Black Flag frontman and mastermind behind the Rise Above CD, is one of the many who doubt justice was really served in the case of the Miskelley, Baldwin and Echols, now commonly known as the “West Memphis Three.”
Rollins was inspired to put together the benefit CD after seeing the HBO documentaries on television. As Rollins stated in a press release, “The first [documentary] shocked me and made me upset. The second one made me mad. Damien, Jessie and Jason were found guilty of murdering three boys and sent to prison. I didn’t agree with the verdict. I figured that to do nothing about that would be to align myself with the forces of injustice that got them pulled into this horrible situation.”
While trying to think of some way to help the West Memphis Three, Rollins’ passion for music took over, and he decided to make a benefit CD. With contributions from Iggy Pop, Nick Oliveri (Queens of the Stone Age), Tom Araya (Slayer), Ice T, Tim Armstrong and Lars Fredriksen (Rancid), Ryan Adams and Rollins himself, along with other well-known and not-so-well-known punk, metal and rock artists, Rise Above was born.
Fans of Black Flag won’t be surprised when listening to the CD. Most of the covers stay fairly true to the original songs, and the longest track of the 24 on the album, in true punk-band fashion, is no longer than two-and-a-half minutes long.
One song of note on Rise Above is the title track, this time done by Chuck D and Rollins. With its overtly “we’re-not-gonna-take-it” motif, it’s the perfect start to an album of loud punk rock that is at times obnoxious, political, touching and intellectual.
Another track to pay particular attention to is Ryan Adams’ live cover of “Nervous Breakdown.” While the song is covered elsewhere on the album by Keith Morris, Adams’ version is more melodic and lends a more personal and longing element to the raucous, slightly crazed song. Plus, there’s just something special about an alt-country/rock artist covering old-skool punk and doing it well.
Proceeds from the sale of Rise Above go to support the appeals cases of Echols, Miskelley and Baldwin. The CD is set for an Oct. 8 release on Sanctuary Records.
For more information on the West Memphis Three, go to the “Free the West Memphis Three” website at www.wm3.org.
