One of the most emotionally charged documentaries headed to Sundance this year is the Peter Jackson-produced, Amy Berg-directed "West Of Memphis." Earlier today, Deadline reported on rumors that had been flying about a last minute addition to the film, a scene that would bring forth important new evidence to the case that was only obtained in the last month. Press screenings prior to Sundance in New York and Los Angeles were apparently missing a scene, and right now with the film unspooling in Park City, a press release has gone out confirming the latest twist in the saga of the West Memphis Three.
Three unnamed witnesses have come forth stating they've heard from relatives of Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of victim Stevie Branch, that he is the perpetrator of the horrific murders in 1994. Granted, this appears to amount to hearsay (based on our limited knowledge of the law based on episodes of "Law & Order") but it's electrifying enough that conversation is only going get more heated around the case, as supporters continue to push the Arkansas district attorney to take another look.
"One day Michael picked us up in his truck. He was very quiet and upset. Michael [Hobbs Jr.] then said to us, ‘you are not going to believe what my dad told me today. My Uncle Terry murdered the three little boys.’ According to Michael, his dad called this ‘The Hobbs Family Secret’ and he asked us to keep it a secret and not tell anyone,” said one witness.
“One night last winter, Michael and I were playing pool in his basement when the third friend asked about the West Memphis Three case which had been in the news. Michael responded by saying, ‘My uncle killed three kids in West Memphis.’ Michael was dead serious when he said this,” said the second witness.
Meanwhile, the third witness claims to have been at Michael Hobbs Jr.'s home in 2003 or 2004, where he overheard Terry Hobbs speaking with another man in the basement. "I heard two men talking. One appeared to be very upset even crying and he said ‘I am sorry, I regret it.’ The other man was trying to console him and said, ‘You are in the clear, no one thinks you are a suspect, those guys are already in prison,’ ” he said.
This is not the first time Terry Hobbs has been tied to the crime, as his DNA was found on a shoelace used to restrain victim Michael Moore. He has however stated he did not see any of the victims on the day of the murder. The witnesses have been polygraphed, given their statements, and everything is in the hands of attorney Stephen Braga right now.
Undoubtedly, this case is not going away. You can read the full press release here, with much more to come we're sure.
