10.17.02
Johnny Cash wears black.
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It's just past midnight, and I'm sitting here watching "Paradise Lost 2: Revelations" on HBO. Last night, I sat and watched its prequel, "Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills."

I'm guessing you've heard of the kids who've come to be known as the West Memphis Three. Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jesse Misskelly were three teens who — say it ain't so! — wore black, listened to Metallica and knew a bit about Alastair Crowley. So when three 8-year-olds were killed in town, Damien, Jason and Jesse were the obvious suspects. Police questioned Jesse, a kid with an IQ of 72, for over 10 hours. Eventually, he "confessed" — a confession that's full of glaring inconsistencies — and all three were arrested and convicted. The documentaries focus on the fact that there's virtually no evidence to support their convictions. Well, other than the fact that they wore black, listened to Metallica and knew a bit about Alastair Crowley.

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