THE WEST MEMPHIS MURDER CASE:

A CASE STUDY IN FORENSIC SCIENCE AND THE LAW

On May 6, 1993, the bodies of three eight year old boys were found in a muddy ditch near interstate highways 40 & 55 in West Memphis, Arkansas. The victims had been brutally murdered and one had been sexually mutilated. Less than a month later, police arrested three teenagers after a startling confession from one of the teens claiming that the killings were related to Satanic Cult activity. Attorney Dan Stidham, who was appointed to represent Jessie Misskelley, the teen who confessed, takes you through the twisted maze of the WM3 Murder Case which has been the subject of two HBO documentaries, several books and countless stories in the media.

The WM3 case has been the subject of a 1996 HBO documentary film entitled Paradise Lost. A sequel to this film, Paradise Lost 2: Revelations was released on HBO in the Spring of 2000.

Dan Stidham has been actively investigating the WM3 Murder Case since 1993. During this time, Mr. Stidham has consulted with some of the world’s leading forensic experts.

Mr. Stidham’s work in the case has resulted in several appearances on national television including the NBC Nightly News, MSNBC and Court TV's Prime Time Justice. In 1996, his experience in the West Memphis case was the subject of a cover story in the Arkansas Times magazine. Mr. Stidham worked tirelessly on the WM3 case for a period of almost 15 years before becoming a full-time District Court Judge on January 1, 2008.


Mr. Stidham is available to speak to student or faculty groups, legal and law enforcement organizations and forensic science organizations. He can present a general overview of his experience in this very interesting and compelling case, or he can discuss specific topics that relate to his experience in the case such as:

  • POLICE INTERROGATION TECHNIQUES
  • FALSE CONFESSIONS
  • MENTAL COMPETENCY
  • ISSUES
  • JUVENILE AND MIRANDA ISSUES
  • FORENSIC SCIENCE ISSUES
  • POLYGRAPH ISSUES
  • “ SATANIC PANIC”
  • CRIMINAL PROFILING
  • MEDIA ISSUES IN A HIGH PROFILE CRIMINAL CASE

A unique program centered around the WM3 case and any, or all, of these topics, can be specifically tailored and designed for your group or organization.

Mr. Stidham does not hold himself out to be an “expert” in any of these particular fields. His only area of expertise is his unique, and perhaps unparalleled experience, in one of America’s most high profile and controversial legal dramas.



COST OF PROGRAM

Mr. Stidham’s interest and motivation in speaking about this most fascinating case is fueled by his desire to share his experience with students and other professionals. He also seeks to bring attention to this case and the serious issues it presents to the American Criminal Justice System.  There is no fee for presenting a program to any group. The only expense associated with the program is the actual cost of travel to your particular location. Mr. Stidham's lecture has been previously approved for Continuing Education credits and he will gladly assist you in getting his presentation approved in your jurisdiction.  

Please call Mr. Stidham at (870) 236-7600 or email him at danstidham@msn.com to speak to your group.


For More Information about the WM3 Murder case:

FILMS:

Two HBO documentary films, Paradise Lost I and II, are available on DVD.

Either film can be rented at most national video store chains or purchased online at Amazon.Com and other online outlets including Warp Films in England which has a special two-DVD set.





SCENES from PARADISE LOST I/II
(at left & right)





ON THE NET:
There are several sites on the web devoted to the case. The most extensive being found at www.wm3.org.

BOOKS:
Arkansas based writer Mara Leveritt has written a new book about the case called Devil's Knot

In the year 2000, Mr. Stidham was elected to the position of District Court Judge where he presides over both civil and criminal cases. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Arkansas State University teaching courses on Evidence, Criminal Procedure and other legal issues. He lives in his hometown of Paragould, Arkansas, with his family. Information about Judge Stidham’s judicial duties can be found at www.gccourt.com

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