Damien Echols

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Damien Echols

Damien Wayne Echols (born Michael Wayne Hutcheson on December 11, 1974) is one of the 3 members of the West Memphis 3, a group who was accused of committing a triple homicide in West Memphis, Arkansas. Echols was convicted of murder and sentenced to die by lethal injection. His conviction and sentence have been upheld by the Arkansas Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court. Echols was arrested on June 3, 1993, and has been in prison ever since.

Echols suffered from a long history of violent mental illness, and had been forcibly committed to mental institutions in two states prior to the murders.

The proceedings of the West Memphis 3 trials are featured in the documentary film Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills. Additional information can be seen on the film's sequel Paradise Lost 2: Revelations. Another sequel Paradise Lost 3 is currently being filmed.

His case has seen significant support from some rock and pop musicians, who have popularized the case and staged fund-raisers including benefit CDs and an art auction with some of his own work.

Echols co-wrote the lyrics to the song "Army Reserve", on Pearl Jam's self-titled album. His songs have been sung by professional punk musician Michale Graves of The Misfits ("Resurrection" Line-up). Echols and Graves are currently working together on an album that will be released by the end of 2006.

He has published his memoirs, Almost Home: My Life Story Vol. 1, and his poetry in the Porcupine Literary Arts magazine (Volume 8, Issue 2).