6.4 Paradise Lost and the West Memphis Three

Essential Question(s) How does the criminal justice system treat juveniles when they are accused of capital crimes?

The criminal justice system is structured in a manner that is supposed to be fair and impartial. For many of us, this premise will never be tested. However, for others that reality is that justice is not fair nor impartial.

One case the illustrates this principle is highlighted in an honest and brutal film called "Paradise Lost." This film follows the case of three young men who are accused of murdering three small boys in a small southern town. The arrest, trial, and conviction of these teenagers is clearly a travesty of justice. Together we will watch this critical documentary film made about this crime. You will see the determined efforts of law enforcement, the anguish and grieving of the parents and family, and finally the dismay and fear of the wrongly convicted.

Once the movie is over and you have done some research on the innocence project fact sheet (linked below) each of you should visit the discussion page and answer this question:

How does the arrest, prosecution, and convictions of the West Memphis Three demonstrate the hazards of the criminal justice system? Who bears ultimate responsibility for making sure the justice system is fair?

• Movie Review of Paradise Lost
• Innocence Project
• Use this fact sheet to analyze some of the problems with the convictions of the West Memphis 3.
• Robin Hood Hill Murder Database
• This is an exhaustive look at the case and all the information associated with it.
• Damien Echols talks about the appeals