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Arkansas Times
Weekly Arkansas newspaper, for which I'm a contributing editor. The only paper in the state to have consistently reported problems with the WM case, beginning with the trials. "Arkansas's Newspaper of Politics and Culture."

Linda Ives's Web Site
In-depth background on the murders of Kevin Ives and Don Henry and drug-related activities at Mena, Arkansas, with commentary by Linda Ives and Jean Duffey.

Free the West Memphis Three
A historic site, perhaps the first to ever make available a massive archive of documents relating to an on-going case. Fully in support of the WM3. Well updated with current events. Invaluable.

ARWAR; Arkansans Working to Achieve Revolution
The Arkansas coordination site for activities concerning the WM3. Also addresses other disturbing Arkansas cases. Motto: "Working for radical change."

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Arkansas's only statewide daily. Columnist Mike Masterson has been an active crusader on behalf of Janie Ward, a teenager whose death in 1989 remains one of the most troubling in Arkansas forensics. (See page about Ward at ARWAR.)

Happy Death Inc.
A very cool site that features, among other very cool stuff, one of the best interviews of me.

Hell Hounds
Article by Damon W. Root in April 2003 Reason magazine about "how a musical moral panic destroyed three young men."

"The Activities at Mena"
Collection of documents and sound clips relating to the death of drug smuggler Barry Seal, the airport at Mena, Arkansas, and allegations of official involvement.

"Life after Death"
Good 2006 article in Los Angeles City Beat on the WM3.

Center for Artistic Revolution
A multi-issue Queer Grassroots group working for Fairness and Equality for ALL Arkansans.

Center for Artistic Revolution
A cool and creative group serving central Arkansas's GLBT community--and the larger community as well, because what's good for GLBTs (like civil rights!) is good for everyone.

Article Categories

Books(2) / Cases(14) / General(8) / Opinion(10) / West Memphis Three(29)

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letters

Angry and scared

I have lived in Jonesboro, Arkansas all of my 44 years. I remember when the West Memphis murders happened like most people remember JFK’s assassination. I was a young mother of a 10-year-old little girl and an 8-year-old little boy. I remember hoping that those three on trial would get horrrible punishment.

After the panic left I was able to look at the real facts, past all of the smoke and mirrors of the occult and devil worship. They are innocent. I truly believe that. I recently read your book Devils Knot. It solidified my opinion on the case. I’m angry and I’m scared. Mostly I’m ashamed that I let this happen without some sort of action. What can a person like myself, just a mother of four now, do?
Debbie Swindle

Debbie, you are one in a million. Of all the people who once believed that these three kids were guilty, you are the first to write to me and express regret. I hope I meet you someday. That said, you had every reason to believe what you did, especially as the mother of young children. The police and prosecutors did a number on everyone. “Smoke and mirrors” is right.

What to do? Since you live in northeast Arkansas, tell everyone you know about the actions of Judge David Burnett and Judge John Fogleman in this case. Both men are running for office—Burnett for the legislature and Fogleman for the state supreme court. They should be stopped in their tracks so that other politicians will realize that anger about this case runs deep and will not abate until justice is served.

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Angry and scared