before we get to our guests, here's our ted rowlands with more on how we got here in this tragic case. >> reporter: may 1993, the gruesome murders of three 8-year-old boys shocked west memphis, arkansas. stevie branch, christopher byers and michael moore, second grade playmates, were found beaten to death, naked and bound in shallow water. one of the boys was dismembered. >> damien, any comment about the story? >> did you do it? >> reporter: police arrested three teenagers, including an alleged devil-worshipping ringleader named damien echols. at trial prosecutors used echols' own words from his bizarre writings to convince the jury that the murders were part of a satanic ritual. >> "thirsty for blood and the terror of mortal men. look favorably on my sacrifice." >> reporter: echols and 16-year-old jason baldwin denied involvement. but 17-year-old jessie