From CNN’s webpages: “It’s another Larry King Live exclusive! Damien Echols’ interview from Death Row. Does he belong in jail at all? Evidence – or lack of it – has many asking questions in this controversial case involving the murders of three boys in 1993.” Anybody who read my first West Memphis Three post, or the follow-up will know I’ll be watching for sure. And you should too, if you are interested in the story of three teenagers who were convicted of murder on the basis of their record collections. Wednesday night at 9 on CNN.

– Jonny

Yeah, so I watched.  Not surprisingly, Damien came off as quiet, thoughtful and articulate.  Larry King presents an image of a senile troglodyte with questionable fashion sense.  So far so accurate.  Why this smug, wizened egoist can’t just retire and do his pointless show from poolside at the Polo Lounge for an audience of none, and why CNN continues to pimp him as a star are two questions that will persist.  King’s tin ear as an interviewer, his evident ignorance, and CNN’s confused interstitials leading into breaks were some heavy hurdles to overcome, but Damien did a remarkable job holding the story together.  More time could have been spent detailing how shot full of holes the prosecution’s “theory” has become (especially the significance of animal predation as the cause of what at the trial was described as “satanic ritual abuse”) but that would have required a journalist, or at least curious human, which is way beyond Larry’s skill set.

Whatever.  The idea was to raise awareness (again) and get a few more people involved.  I hope that’s what is happening.  Hearing Damien talk about his marriage is enough to tear your heart out, and of course that’s what Larry King Live is all about, but there is more going on here than melodrama.  Please read the defense’s latest motion for a few more facts if you are interested at all.