GK's convoluted theory... what's yours? Please share!

[Compassionate Reader]

The splashes have long been a source of discussion. I agree that they occurred too early to be the bodies. I also believe it was too late for it to have been the bikes. I think the bikes would have been well hidden (submerged) by then. It could have been a deliberate attempt by the killer to scare away perceived witnesses. It could have been "Mr. Bojangles" running from the killer because he didn't want to be seen. Any number of things are possible.

As to JMB, yes, he had been a drug informant in the past. I don't think he was doing so at the time of the murders, however. I don't recall ever seeing anything that would support TH as a drug informant although it is possible and would be a possible explanation of his immunity from suspicion. JMB, IMO, was fully investigated and interrogated. During questioning, he was even told that the police believed him to be complicit in the murders. Please remember, however, that, unlike TH, JMB has always willingly provided biological samples to the police and the defense, which is another reason that I have removed him from my suspect list. TH, OTOH, was not questioned in the early days after the murders. He always managed to be elsewhere when the police came around questioning and actually left town about two weeks after the murders. That's a bit suspicious, IMO.

I agree that the whole drug traffic thing is strange. It could easily be the reason that the wmpd refused the help of the State police. It could explain a lot more, too. It's yet one more mystery in the complicated and infuriating case!

 

[Justiceseeker35]

The splashes have long been a source of discussion. I agree that they occurred too early to be the bodies. I also believe it was too late for it to have been the bikes. I think the bikes would have been well hidden (submerged) by then. It could have been a deliberate attempt by the killer to scare away perceived witnesses. It could have been "Mr. Bojangles" running from the killer because he didn't want to be seen. Any number of things are possible.

As to JMB, yes, he had been a drug informant in the past. I don't think he was doing so at the time of the murders, however. I don't recall ever seeing anything that would support TH as a drug informant although it is possible and would be a possible explanation of his immunity from suspicion. JMB, IMO, was fully investigated and interrogated. During questioning, he was even told that the police believed him to be complicit in the murders. Please remember, however, that, unlike TH, JMB has always willingly provided biological samples to the police and the defense, which is another reason that I have removed him from my suspect list. TH, OTOH, was not questioned in the early days after the murders. He always managed to be elsewhere when the police came around questioning and actually left town about two weeks after the murders. That's a bit suspicious, IMO.

I agree that the whole drug traffic thing is strange. It could easily be the reason that the wmpd refused the help of the State police. It could explain a lot more, too. It's yet one more mystery in the complicated and infuriating case!

I agree too I don't think JMB was involved in the murders but he was definitely an example of the kind of people who were known in the town and protected and/or shielded despite misdeeds and questionably legal to flat out illegal activity. How many more were out there....was TH one of them.. JKM.... the young men who were cited as being part of the "group"?

 

[Userid]

The fact that this murder coincided (can't remember if it was that very day or the day before/after) with one West Memphis biggest drug busts -- that alone is fishy to me. Also, the fact that many in videos and in the photos on the crime scene are DEA agents: why would drug agents be working a murder case, if drugs weren't in some way a part of the murder?

 

[zencompass]

I agree that DE agents working in a murder investigation has always had me flummoxed. Also how the blood scrapings from Bojangles were lost and how in the world did Gitchell know that the "brown jacket" had been in that area for awhile? Was it actually Gitchell who said this or was it a D.E. Agent who said it? So many things do not add up. I find that the possibility of a meeting of drug traffickers and/or drug enforcement agents could have been what the boys witnessed as a path led from the truck stop to the site of the murders. That and how Sudbury grabbed the notion of a satanic killing from S.J. and ran with it. Was there pressure from someone higher up that urged Sudbury to meet with Damien the next day to get the ball rolling with the satanic panic? If I take D, J and J out of the whole scenario a new picture presents itself and it poses questions of what should have been followed up on but wasn't. What does the picture without the three teens look like to you? I'm always so intrigued by what others' theories are.

 

[Compassionate Reader]

I agree that DE agents working in a murder investigation has always had me flummoxed. Also how the blood scrapings from Bojangles were lost and how in the world did Gitchell know that the "brown jacket" had been in that area for awhile? Was it actually Gitchell who said this or was it a D.E. Agent who said it? So many things do not add up. I find that the possibility of a meeting of drug traffickers and/or drug enforcement agents could have been what the boys witnessed as a path led from the truck stop to the site of the murders. That and how Sudbury grabbed the notion of a satanic killing from S.J. and ran with it. Was there pressure from someone higher up that urged Sudbury to meet with Damien the next day to get the ball rolling with the satanic panic? If I take D, J and J out of the whole scenario a new picture presents itself and it poses questions of what should have been followed up on but wasn't. What does the picture without the three teens look like to you? I'm always so intrigued by what others' theories are.

To the first bolded statement, according to JMB, it was Gitchell. JMB could have been mistaken, however. It could have easily been some other member of LE. More to the point, why was Gitchell (or whoever) out in the woods to see the brown coat "a while" back? Again, this is a mystery that may never be solved. However, I believe it could be important.

To the second bolded statement, without the teens in the picture, the motive would have definitely been changed. It could have been drugs, for sure. It's often been opined that the little boys saw "something" that lead to their deaths. The Guy/Stewart affidavits opine that the "something" was homosexual sex. It could have been a meeting between LE officials and drug informants, although I don't see why the little boys would have been killed in that scenario. Again, IMO, the important thing for us to focus on is discovering just exactly why TH was above suspicion in the eyes of LE. JMB certainly wasn't above suspicion, but TH was. This still haunts me.

 

[Ausgirl]

It would've only taken one of the boys to be killed, and the other two to witness that, to ensure they were killed as well.

Running with the drugs theory here -- the woods would have been an ideal meet-up place (with the truck stop so close) for drop offs. Might explain activity like that orange vehicle spotted in there.. and a few other things besides.

I'm warming up to this theory. Lots of puzzling things suddenly become a lot less so in this context. In fact, it would be interesting to do a complete review of all the case info, noting all the odd/hinky/apparently nonsensical or incompetent stuff going on, with this theory alone in mind and see what makes sense and what doesn't.

My sense is, there's many cans of worms that were never fully opened because they had the WM3 and everything was focussed on that.

 

[GoblinKeeper]

I will get back to posting timelines and alibis for the three main characters this week. I have been working on other projects as well, and going crazy in general. Decided to grow my beard back out and hide all my ugly, for one. Any way...

This past weekend I took my file folder full of documents I had worked on, and spoke with a circuit judge here in town. We went over the files (no names, just events, somewhat tweaked so the determination I was looking for wouldn't be compromised), and I asked questions concerning just about every aspect of this case. We went over the files twice (and believe me, the amount of paperwork I've amassed is considerable). He asked a number of questions, then called an attorney he knows and we all went out to lunch and then spent the afternoon discussing this case. I had to assure the attorney it had nothing to do with me, that this was indeed a real case which had been adjudicated in another area of the country, and that I was looking into it on my own because I felt that there was a lot that was not right.

Are you ready for the upshot of all of this? Should I just forget it and move on to the timelines?

Nah, I'll tell you. The attorney and I went over this case as finely as we could for six hours, then brought it to the judge with our conclusions and differences in opinions in several places. The judge listened intently, asked a few more questions, and suggested that we all meet the next day to go over this once more. We met for breakfast, went over the case; heard his listings of case law; argued our differences and our agreements; ate lunch; then spent another four hours deliberating what we'd spent the morning and day before discussing and arguing.

There is not enough evidence to have brought three young men to trial, as the confession was a false one. In fact, if the local police had led the witness and recorded it as it was, they would have been censured by the judge, the confession thrown out, and the case dismissed. There was not enough viable evidence to indict anyone, however. The DNA evidence was not conclusive enough, although one major concern was the knowledge displayed by a certain individual (who shall remain nameless, but his initials are James Kenneth M). He warranted further investigation, as did another individual, who believe it or not, was not my choice for a suspect, but another one entirely. Remember, now, this is an attorney and a judge in New England! They did agree that my suspect warranted further investigation as well, but they really wanted to know about LGH Jr., and his friend RSS. You could have knocked me over with a feather...

For me, the best parts of those two days was hearing that the trials that were held should have been declared mistrials; that the evidence used to convict was not considered admissible; and that my conclusions of fence sitting were somewhat justified. I should now admit that I am climbing down off the fence. There are a couple of people here who probably know which side I am coming down on, but for those who don't, I am officially a supporter.

Now, let's get back to work on those timelines, the drug theories (I still say Mena figures somehow, see my earlier post somewhere back a page or so), and other ideas we can bring together into a workable hypothesis and poke holes in it until we fix it!!!

And now, back to your regularly scheduled programming...

 

[zencompass]

Outstanding Goblin Keeper! I am so amazed at what you have accomplished - so amazed! Yes I am still keeping August 23, 1987 on a front burner. What you have discovered certainly demonstrates that the trials were a means to an end for someone, for more than someone, for a group of people who were protected. I can't wait to hear more - impressive to say the least!! Thank you so much G.K.!

 

[Compassionate Reader]

Great, GK! I look forward to the timelines, too! BTW, did you show the attorney and judge the Warford affidavit? If so, what was the reaction?

 

[GoblinKeeper]

Great, GK! I look forward to the timelines, too! BTW, did you show the attorney and judge the Warford affidavit? If so, what was the reaction?

Yes, I did, and their reaction was outright indignation. The attorney said he would have moved immediately for exoneration for his clients if he was the defense attorney. If he had been the prosecutor, he would have asked for an investigation (strangely, this is one honest lawyer, perhaps the only honest one I've ever known). The judge said had it come to his attention, he would have set aside the verdict and ordered an investigation, and possibly ordered a new trial. I had printed off all of the Callahan documents so I can put parts onto 3x5 index cards, which adorn a wall under different headings. I have also underlined, highlighted, annotated, written all over the backs of pages, so much so that I have printed many documents over many times. I actually went through the documents and took out names, using titles only for each individual before taking them to the judge and attorney. Quite a bit of work, but worth it, in my opinion. If it brings about justice, then definitely it has been worth it. However, I cannot take credit for this, as I have been honored to read so much here, allowed to work with other posters' materials (giving them credit, of course), and am only able to work with my own ideas in their frameworks. My thanks to all who have posted, allowed me to use their materials and ideas, and for those who encourage me to keep on working. We will get there someday! I pray it is soon.

 

[Compassionate Reader]

That's a lot of work, GK! Let me know if I can help in any way. I want justice - soon!

BTW, does everyone know that a May 5, 2015 rally is being held in Little Rock, Arkansas, to try to pressure the new governor or attorney general to reopen?

 

[Graznik]

Oh, wow, lots of posting again! I really need to check in more often...

Regarding the splashes, I tend to think that it might just have been an eerie coincidence. Like KAYTOM said, it could just have been a some frogs or something getting spooked. However, it is a little eerie, and I'm tempted to agree with CR in that it could have been an attempt to scare off the boys, or it could have been Bojangles fleeing the seen after being scared off himself. IIRC, one of the boys stated that it sounded like splashes OR gunshots. Again IIRC, someone did "lose" a gun around the time of the murders.

Once again, amazing GK! I'm intrigued as to who the lawyer considered a viable suspect. Or was that LGH Jr.?!

Also, Zencompass, what's up with August 23rd 1987? I'm so out of the loop...

 

[zencompass]

Hey Graznik! During a discussion of boys walking through woods and happening upon a drug connection meeting, Goblin Keeper advised me that this happened in Mena, Arkansas on Aug 23, 1987. A train hit two teens who were laying down on the tracks. The mother (Linda Ives) of one of the teens, Kevin Ives, could not believe the investigation's initial results which were that both teens had used marijuana and lay down on the tracks to suicide themselves. The mother, Linda Ives insisted on a grand jury and hence the bodies were exhumed and they found that one teen had been stabbed to death and the other teen shot to death and then placed on the tracks. Quite complicated but again shows corruption and cover up and of course Mena was the dropping spot for cocaine at the time - a billion dollar industry even then. I was surprised to learn that Mara Leveritt wrote a book about it - "The Boys on the Tracks". Arkansas was a hotbed of criminal activity, mostly a huge industry of drugs and corruption in 1987 and since then. Goblin Keeper and I and others were discussing how the boys in West Memphis could have happened upon such a meeting of drug connections which may have led to their murder. The fact that a path leads from the truck stop to the woods where the boys were discovered seems too convenient for me.

The other theory that TH was somewhat involved is still haunting me. I didn't know about the bite mark matching up with T.H. until I read the other thread. Yowza. Plus the hair, plus the fact that TH was never investigated really makes me wonder... and that witnesses claim they saw T.H. calling to the boys and they didn't listen plus his history of rage and violence. And also that John Douglas believes that it was one person and he murdered these boys in a fit of rage after possibly unintentionally killing one of them. It sure makes me wonder... JMO

 

[zencompass]

As Goblin Keeper says, all theories are welcome! I also consider the possibility of JKM being involved in the murders as other posters have wondered about him. It is astonishing how many paedophiles were in that area at that time. And what is the story with RSS? Very strange. I am still on the fence and I want to hear more theories. Thanks

 

[Userid]

Who is RSS, and what's his story (did I miss it in this thread)?

 

[zencompass]

I apologize. I thought I typed R.R.S. , the individual who L.G.H. Jr. stated that he was with the evening of May 5th.

 

[Graznik]

Aah, right, I didn't quite make the connection just by the date. Cheers Zen! I am somewhat familiar with that, and the possible political ties.

Yeah, see that's exactly why he's right at the top of my list of suspects. I'm not the one to point fingers and go TH DUNNIT, but I'm not gonna lie either... He's right up there, and I fail to see how others can just dismiss him.

Some of the things surrounding this case, like the extraordinarily sh***y investigation, and how TH was never investigated or even interviewed and STILL managed to get "ruled out", can make you prone to believe there must have been some sort of conspiracy.

 

[GoblinKeeper]

Wow... simply Wow... I am so glad to see all the posts, and all of the theories and conjectures here since I was on last. Sorry to have been away for so long, everyone, I've missed you all. Unfortunately, my other life has had a few upsets, besets, and resets... nothing that can't be handled, of course, but the less stress the better, right? I will catch up later, probably in one long, rambling, disjointed post. But I am so glad to see all of the posts here that shows everyone is thinking, and that's good! Also, we might definitely want to revisit the Manhole Theory (MHT) that Paid put forth elsewhere. That is very interesting, and may end up fitting nicely into what we are trying to do here. CR, maybe we can get hold of him and ask if he would mind if we posted that here? Thanks again, everyone!!!

 

[Userid]

I never knew Paid, from message boards or in real life, but from what I've heard of Paid, he refuses to post publicly anymore. There were a lot of people who challenged him about his theory when he came out with it, and he really took offense to anyone who didn't buy his Manhole Theory hook-line-and-sinker. I don't blame him, necessarily -- just relaying why he probably will not post again.

 

[Compassionate Reader]

Paid is still active on the WM3 Friends Facebook page. He would be willing to answer questions there, I am sure. I don't think he posts on message boards any more. I wish he did because I much prefer a message board to Facebook!