Letter from Tucker Max
Mara Leveritt has forwarded to me a letter from Jason Baldwin (pictured in Correction Department photo), one of three teens convicted in the so-called West Memphis Three slayings 16 years ago.
He'll be going to court soon for another round of hearings aimed at winning his freedom.
He maintains his innocence in the case.
Read on for his letter.
Hi, my name is Charles Jason Baldwin and 16 years ago I was convicted for a crime I did not commit. I was a 16-year-old boy then, today I am a 32-year-old man and next month I’ll be leaving prison for the Craighead County Jail for two weeks worth of Rule 37 hearings.
Every day life offers us choices—most are mundane, like whether or not I’ll take sugar in my coffee, or tuning into KSSN 96 vs. The Edge 100.3—these are easy choices based simply on personal preference, neither right or wrong, nor life changing, simply life affirming. When I was just 16 I was forced to make a choice the results of which wouldn’t be so innocuous.
On my last day of school for the 10th grade I was taken into custody. For the next 289 days I would not be allowed to hug my mom or my little brothers. The only people I came into contact with seemed powerless to help me as I told them the truth of my innocence. To say I was under pressure would be an understatement.
One day I was offered a choice. I was told the only hope in the world I had was to turn “state” against Damien Echols and testify under oath that he murdered those three boys. The problem with this choice was the fact that I did not know who murdered those boys. For the life of me I did not believe Damien did—and even if I had a “belief” as to who could have done the murders, the simple fact remained that I did not know who committed them. Many people have found themselves in similar situations and chose a different path than the one I did, but 16 years later I do not regret my choice. The one time my choice counted for something real I made the right one—I chose to protect innocent life.
Our worldly and wise forefathers knew very well the dangers and imperfections in any justice system—even and especially ours. Innocent people can fall victim to the fell clutch of circumstance, so safeguards were put into place. Next month I pray those safeguards will perform their duty and that I’ll at last be freed. Tonight I rest easy knowing that when I was confronted with the choice to protect innocent life, I made the right one.
Charles Jason Baldwin
Every day life offers us choices—most are mundane, like whether or not I’ll take sugar in my coffee, or tuning into KSSN 96 vs. The Edge 100.3—these are easy choices based simply on personal preference, neither right or wrong, nor life changing, simply life affirming. When I was just 16 I was forced to make a choice the results of which wouldn’t be so innocuous.
On my last day of school for the 10th grade I was taken into custody. For the next 289 days I would not be allowed to hug my mom or my little brothers. The only people I came into contact with seemed powerless to help me as I told them the truth of my innocence. To say I was under pressure would be an understatement.
One day I was offered a choice. I was told the only hope in the world I had was to turn “state” against Damien Echols and testify under oath that he murdered those three boys. The problem with this choice was the fact that I did not know who murdered those boys. For the life of me I did not believe Damien did—and even if I had a “belief” as to who could have done the murders, the simple fact remained that I did not know who committed them. Many people have found themselves in similar situations and chose a different path than the one I did, but 16 years later I do not regret my choice. The one time my choice counted for something real I made the right one—I chose to protect innocent life.
Our worldly and wise forefathers knew very well the dangers and imperfections in any justice system—even and especially ours. Innocent people can fall victim to the fell clutch of circumstance, so safeguards were put into place. Next month I pray those safeguards will perform their duty and that I’ll at last be freed. Tonight I rest easy knowing that when I was confronted with the choice to protect innocent life, I made the right one.
Charles Jason Baldwin
Comments
When the hell is somebody going to pay attention to all the new evidence that's stacked up over the past 20 years? Even some of the parents of the slain boys don't believe the WM3 are guilty. It's ridiculous that everyone from David Burnett, the original judge (who now wants to be a state senator, I've heard), to Dustin McDaniel, the State Attorney General (who wants to be Governor) refuses to admit to even the possibility that these men are innocent.
Give them a new trial now. That's the only thing than can remove doubt. Doubt about the guilt of the WM3 and doubt about the real motivations of Burnett and McDaniel.
Posted by: HardCoreDemocrat![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 15, 2009 10:55 AM
ANYONE who takes the time to become familiar with this case realizes that gross mal/misfeasance and Religionist Wingnut Morons got these guys convicted without a SHRED of evidence - independent from the 'new' evidence. HCD is right about the pathetic pols who have their heads squarely up their butts!! Remember: this is the part of the state that ran a legitimate businessman out of town because they "think" Wiccans are devil worshippers - and then the question in a civilized society would be "so what?".
Intentional ignorance should be punishable by law!! Of course there are more in AR suffering from that malady than there are drug criminals, so there'd be no room for them at the Inn...
Posted by: Larry![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 15, 2009 11:58 AM
how come he's still where he belongs, in the crossbar hotel, until his innocence is proven, while that mitchell johnson person who shot and killed a few schoolchirren in jonesboro is out on the streets, or he was, with dope and guns? must've been tried and sentenced as an adult.
Posted by: tina![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 15, 2009 03:47 PM
Tina, did you say he belongs in the crossbar until his innocence is proven? Have they really changed it to "guilty until proven innocent?" Damn, I knew that was coming.
Seriously, I think you merely meant that he should have been cut loose even if he is guilty because he was only 16, like Mitchell Johnson and his buddy the Rogers Crossbow Killer boy.
My wife read Devil's Knot, by Mara Leverett, and she thinks the WM3 boys are innocent. I've never read anything that made me think otherwise. What's the problem? Are the real killers the same ones who killed that girl Mike Masterson uses for his bread and butter? Get Mike on the story.
Posted by: Whoscrumdown![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 15, 2009 04:18 PM
Since our Governor does not believe in granting clemencies, I pray the courts will provide justice for these men. Beebe needs to begin granting the clemency recommendations given to him from the Parole Board, especially since this is a part of his job. Oh I forgot! he wants to run for re-election, never mind standing for what is fair and just.
Posted by: jai![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 15, 2009 05:58 PM
Since our Governor does not believe in granting clemencies, I pray the courts will provide justice for these men. Beebe needs to begin granting the clemency recommendations given to him from the Parole Board, especially since this is a part of his job. Oh I forgot! he wants to run for re-election, never mind standing for what is fair and just.
Posted by: jai![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 15, 2009 05:59 PM
very, very well written letter from Jason. I don't believe for one minute any of the 3 men are guilty of this heinous crime. Jason can live with himself and to think he made that crucial and wise decision at such a young age, probably isolated and with no adult guidance. It shows what kind of remarkable person he really is. I wonder, how do the folks who perpetrated this crime against Jason, Damien and Jessie live with themselves? They did NOT protect innocent life either of these 3 men, the 3 small boys or society; but they did protect themselves. I hope the safeguards that Jason refers to in his letter do perform their job and free these innocent men. I also hope the justice system, however imperfect, can still find and punish the real killers after this long period of time. Jason is right, anyone can get caught up in circumstances such as this, anyone. Let's hope the system works the way it is supposed to. Good luck at your hearing Jason.
Posted by: Pamela![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 16, 2009 08:55 AM