Life After Death Row: Justice Brandeis Innocence Project Students Talk with Released Inmate Damien Echols, His Wife, His Defense Team Advisor, and the Reporter Who Believed Him
Tuesday, Feb. 5, 7-9pm
Rapaporte Treasure Hall, Goldfarb Library
In 1994, at the age of 18, Damien Echols was convicted, along with Jessie Misskelley, Jr. and Jason Baldwin, of the horrific murders of three young boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. Echols, considered the “ring leader” of the “West Memphis Three”, was sentenced to death and spent 18 years on Death Row in Arkansas for a crime many believed he did not commit. While on Death Row, Damien married Lorri Davis, a landscape architect from New York who became convinced of his innocence and moved to Arkansas to be nearer to him while she worked on his case. Johnny Depp, Eddie Vedder and director Peter Jackson were all strong, public supporters of Echols’ innocence. In August of 2011, after DNA evidence was found to be inconsistent with all three defendants, Echols, Miskelley, and Baldwin were released from prison, although have not been legally exonerated. After his release, Echols wrote a memoir, “Life After Death” chronicling his time on Death Row.
Join Brandeis students who investigate wrongful convictions as they lead a discussion with Echols, his wife Lorri Davis, Lonnie Soury, a media expert with a particular expertise in wrongful convictions issues, and Erin Moriarty, a correspondent for CBS’ “48 Hours” who interviewed Echols both on death row and after his release. Video clips from 48 Hours and “West of Memphis,” the documentary produced by Peter Jackson and directed by Amy Berg, will also be screened. Echols’ book will be available for purchase and signing.
