The Boys on the Tracks: A Haunting True Crime Story

The Boys on the Tracks: Death, denial, and a mother's crusade to bring her son's killers to justice.

by Mara Leveritt

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1417 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	554 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

On May 5, 1993, the small town of West Memphis, Arkansas, was shattered by the brutal murders of two young boys, Kevin Ives and Don Henry. The boys' bodies were found on railroad tracks, and their deaths were initially ruled as an accident. However, as the investigation progressed, it became clear that the boys had been murdered.

The case quickly became one of the most notorious unsolved crimes in Arkansas history. Three teenagers, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr., were eventually convicted of the murders and sentenced to life in prison. However, the case has been plagued by controversy and doubt, and many people believe that the three teenagers were wrongly convicted.

The Murders

On the evening of May 5, 1993, Kevin Ives and Don Henry went out to play with some friends. They were last seen alive at around 8:00 PM. The next morning, their bodies were found on railroad tracks near their homes.

The boys' bodies were badly mutilated. Kevin had been stabbed multiple times in the chest, and his throat had been slit. Don had been stabbed in the back and his head had been crushed.

The police initially ruled the boys' deaths as an accident, but as the investigation progressed, it became clear that they had been murdered. The medical examiner found that the boys had been killed with a sharp object, and that their wounds were consistent with stab wounds.

The Investigation

The police quickly launched a full-scale investigation into the murders. They interviewed hundreds of people and followed up on numerous leads. However, the case quickly went cold.

In 1994, the police arrested three teenagers, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr., for the murders. The teenagers were all friends, and they had been seen together on the night of the murders.

The teenagers were convicted of the murders in 1995. Echols was sentenced to death, and Baldwin and Misskelley were sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The Trial

The trial of the West Memphis Three was one of the most controversial in Arkansas history. The prosecution presented a strong case against the teenagers, but the defense raised serious doubts about their guilt.

The prosecution's case was based on the testimony of a single witness, Jessie Misskelley Jr. Misskelley confessed to the murders, but he later recanted his confession. The defense argued that Misskelley's confession was coerced and that he was not credible.

The defense also presented evidence that the teenagers were not guilty. They introduced alibi witnesses who placed the teenagers at another location at the time of the murders. They also presented evidence that the police had mishandled the investigation and that they had coerced witnesses into testifying against the teenagers.

The jury found the teenagers guilty of the murders, but the case has been plagued by controversy and doubt ever since. Many people believe that the teenagers were wrongly convicted, and there have been numerous calls for a new trial.

The Aftermath

The murders of Kevin Ives and Don Henry had a profound impact on the community of West Memphis. The town was divided over the case, and there was a great deal of anger and resentment directed at the three teenagers who were convicted of the murders.

The case also had a significant impact on the American public. The media coverage of the trial was extensive, and the case became a national sensation. The case raised questions about the justice system, the death penalty, and the role of the media in criminal cases.

The West Memphis Three remained in prison for 18 years. In 2011, they were released from prison after a judge ruled that they had been wrongly convicted. The judge found that the prosecution's case was based on unreliable evidence and that the teenagers had not received a fair trial.

The West Memphis Three have since become advocates for the wrongfully convicted. They have spoken out against the death penalty and have worked to reform the criminal justice system.

The Boys on the Tracks is a gripping true crime story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This meticulously researched book delves into the chilling details of the unsolved murders of two young boys in Arkansas, exploring the potential suspects, the lingering mysteries, and the haunting impact the case has had on the community. Whether you're a true crime aficionado or simply looking for a gripping read, The Boys on the Tracks is a must-read.

The Boys on the Tracks: Death, denial, and a mother's crusade to bring her son's killers to justice.

by Mara Leveritt

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1417 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	554 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE