Sunday, August 29, 2010
Johnny Depp in Little Rock
Posted by Max Brantley on Sun, Aug 29, 2010 at 6:48 AM
- Brian Chilson
- AT WEST MEMPHIS THREE BENEFIT: Johnny Depp
Gerard Matthews wrote on Rock Candy last night about the rally for the West Memphis Three that included a news conference on the coming appeal in the murder case and a benefit concert featuring Eddie Vedder, Natalie Maines, Patti Smith and more. You'll find pictures there, too, but this one of Johnny Depp joining the group on-stage came late.
- Brian Chilson
- Vedder and Depp
Speaking of...
-
Colin Firth to star as P.I. in "Devil's Knot"
February 1, 2012'Tis a long way from the great houses of Britain to the trailer parks of West Memphis, Ark. But get ready for an actor to make the transition. /more/
-
Mother of West Memphis 3 victim asks for reopening of case
January 23, 2012Pam Hobbs, mother of Steve Branch, one of three eight-year-olds killed in the 1993 West Memphis slayings that became the West Memphis 3 case, says new information unearthed in a new documentary, "West of Memphis," has persuaded her to call for the state of Arkansas to reopen the case. /more/
-
West Memphis 3 defense claims new evidence of killer
January 20, 2012The West Memphis 3 defense team continues it work on behalf of the three defendants to point authorities to the person responsible for killing three West Memphis children in 1993. /more/
-
The Tuesday line
January 17, 2012It's open. Final notes: * MILLION MAN MARCH: Wisconsin Democrats turned in 1 million signatures today for a recall election of the governor. /more/
-
Friday night line
January 13, 2012News roundup: Chamber of Commerce public subsidies; Ed Fry dies; Wayne Dumond; Mike Huckabee; West Memphis Three. /more/
-
There's a good interview with the 'Paradise Lost' filmmakers over at the AV Club
January 13, 2012In advance of last night's HBO premiere of "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory," The AV Club published an interview withthe filmmakers, Bruce Sinofsky and Joe Berlinger. /more/
-
Sunday thoughts?
January 8, 2012The line is open. Recommended: Michael Kinsley's review of Thomas Frank's new book in NY Times. /more/
-
Reese Witherspoon to star in 'Devil's Knot'
December 15, 2011Mara Leveritt sends news. Variety reports that Reese Witherspoon will star in the film version of Leveritt's book "Devil's Knot" about the West Memphis Three case. /more/
-
Jessie Misskelley forced from temporary home
December 7, 2011Mara Leveritt reports on her website today about the travails of Jessie Misskelley, the West Memphis Three defendant. /more/
-
New documentary on West Memphis 3
December 5, 2011A public relations firm last night began distribution of a news release about a new documentary film, "West of Memphis," on the West Memphis Three case, this one a combined effort of the formerly condemned Damien Echols, his wife Lorri Davis and filmmakers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh. /more/
- More »
Comments (8)
Showing 1-8 of 8
It was an amazing concert and for such a great cause. Patti Smith brought the house down. Wow, that woman commands an audience. Pins and needles until September 30.
like
dislike
The concert was amazing, but worthless too, unless each of us takes some small action. These performers came at their own expense from around the world to urge us to do something to help free these boys who have turned to men, while unjustly imprisioned. While the current action is in the hands of the State Supreme Court, it's a good ole boy network here in Arkansas. I'm trying to get my act together to write letters to elected officials and send a check to whereever the website says to.
This cause is so important. The men known as the West Memphis Three were convicted on minimal circumstantial evidence. These men came to the attention of police because of Steve Jones and Jerry Driver. Jones was a juvenile probation officer and he was also involved in the search for the missing boys. He spotted a cap or a shoe leading to the discovery of one of the boy's bodies in a ditch. The DNA evidence left at the scene has been tested and it does NOT match the men convicted. Please read more about this case and become fully informed. This could happen to anyone and it has happened to so many others! The boys who were murdered deserve justice and the WM3 deserve their freedom. More resources, discussion, and information at paradiselost3 (dot) com.
I think it's so unfair that these three innocent men are locked up, especially when Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of one of the victims, somehow had one of his hairs at the scene of the crime. What amazes me is that the system is not doing anything about it. He should at least be a suspect, NOT Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley.
Whether or not they are guilty, who knows? My guess is they are not. Will the system save them? My guess is no. I wouldn't count on justice to be seen for these boys, especially from the State Supreme Court. As mentioned, the good ol' boy system still reigns in Arkansas....justice be damned.
It's beyond amazing that none of these boys' DNA was found at the scene, yet the stepfather's DNA that was found was ignored.
It is a travesty that the wounds that were caused by animals were attributed to a knife by the prosecutor, in all contradiction to forensic science; a knife that he had a hunch would be in a pond and viola'! one was found.
The final sin against justice was the jury using a retracted confession that was not supposed to be introduced into evidence as the basis for their conviction. (How did they get it, I wonder?) Many of those jurors have now came out for a new trial.
The concert was outstanding. Rev. Thompson Murray of QQUMC was first on stage and was interrupted several times by applause - a rarity for a preacher.
Eddie Vedder was on stage most of the time, playing with the guests. A real surprise to me was the 'supergroup' Fistful of Mercy (Ben Harper, Joseph Arthur and Dhani (son of George) Harrison), who had a cool CSN&Y vibe, with rich 3 part harmony and Harper's angry slide substituting nicely for Young's angry guitar.
Johnny Depp surprised me with his guitar playing. He and Vedder did a couple of songs and Depp had a very tasteful solo.
Patti Smith absolutely commanded the stage as the last guest. Before the show, I thought so what, another washed-up 70's punker. Wrong. She is a POWERFUL singer and brought the cred from those thousands of shows she must have played in NYC dives.
Go to youtube and search on "Vedder Little Rock" and "Depp Little Rock" etc. etc. to find some great videos of the performances.
I loved the concert and especially Johnny,he is the best part,so hot and good with the guitar,great!!!But I have to say that I think he should be away from this,this is for the justice.
For more on the benefit and the most up to date case information, go to: http://www.wm3blackboard.com/forum/index.p…
Author Archives
-
Dorial Green-Beckham going to Missouri
The latest phenom on whom the Hog faithful have invested dreams of pigskin paradise — Dorial Green-Beckham — has announced he'll take his football talents to the University of Missouri.
- Feb 1, 2012
-
Severance tax committee plans frackers' expose
Sheffield Nelson, who's leading the drive for a severance tax increase, has announced a news conference tomorrow at which he will name a public official who's been paid to lobby for several gas companies.
- Jan 17, 2012
- More »
Event Calendar
-
Re: Republican Burris doubles down — put poor kids to work!
John Burris is like 27 years old. Enough said.
- on February 3, 2012
-
Re: An early open line
About death and dying, everyone must reach their own decision. "The American Way of Death"…
- on February 3, 2012
-
Re: An early open line
That is hopefully good news about the 188th - as long as a human American…
- on February 3, 2012
Top Commenters
Blogroll
Site Index
News
Cover Story / Arkansas Reporter / The Week That Was / Smart Talk / The Insider / The Observer / Editorial / Max Brantley / Ernest Dumas / Gene Lyons / Bob Lancaster / Words / Guest Writer / Letters
Entertainment
A&E Feature / To-Do List / In Brief / Movie Reviews / Music Reviews / Theater Reviews / A&E News / Art Notes / Graham Gordy / Books / Media / Dining Reviews / Dining Guide / What's Cookin' / Calendar / The Televisionist / Movie Listings / Gallery Listings
This Week's Cover
Quick Links
Special Publications
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
