Watch The Forgotten West Memphis Three
- 2020
- 1 Season
-
6.9 (282)
The Forgotten West Memphis Three is a true-crime documentary series on Oxygen that explores the perplexing case of the West Memphis Three, a trio of young men convicted of the brutal murders of three boys in Arkansas in 1993. The show, which premiered in February 2020, is hosted by Lori Neuman-Lee, a criminal defense attorney, and features interviews with Jim Clemente, retired FBI profiler and criminal behavior expert, and Bob Ruff, a podcaster and independent death investigator. The case of the West Memphis Three has long been controversial and highly publicized. In 1993, three eight-year-old boys were found brutally murdered in a wooded area in West Memphis, Arkansas. Three teenagers, Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley Jr., and Jason Baldwin, were charged and convicted of the crimes in 1994, despite scant evidence and questionable witness testimony. Over the years, the case has become a cause célèbre for advocates of wrongful conviction and criminal justice reform, who argue that the evidence against the West Memphis Three was flimsy at best and that they were essentially railroaded by overzealous prosecutors and a justice system more focused on vengeance than justice. The Forgotten West Memphis Three delves into the case in forensic detail, using old and archival footage, as well as fresh interviews with key players and experts, to examine every angle of the investigation and trial. Neuman-Lee, Clemente, and Ruff go beyond the surface-level details of the case to uncover new evidence, revisit old leads, and offer new perspectives on the timelines of the murders and the prosecution of the three young men. Throughout the show, the hosts explore the circumstances of the crime, the backgrounds and motivations of the victims and accused, and the broader cultural and social context in which the case unfolded. They also examine the media coverage of the case, the involvement of celebrities and rabid fans, and the impact that the trial had on the families of the victims and accused alike. One of the central themes of The Forgotten West Memphis Three is the question of injustice and whether the three young men were, in fact, guilty of the crime. Neuman-Lee, Clemente, and Ruff leave no stone unturned as they examine the evidence and the various theories that surround the case. They also interview lawyers, journalists, and activists who have been involved in the legal and public battles that have raged around the case for years. Despite its serious subject matter, The Forgotten West Memphis Three is a gripping and engrossing show that hooks viewers from the first episode. The hosts bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the case, but they also offer a humanistic and empathetic approach that makes the show relatable and accessible to a wide audience. Overall, The Forgotten West Memphis Three is an excellent addition to the true-crime genre, offering a fresh perspective on a case that has gripped the public imagination for decades. With its insightful analysis, exhaustive research, and compelling storytelling, the show is sure to appeal to fans of true-crime documentaries and anyone interested in the complexities of the American justice system.
