West Memphis 3 Defendant takes stand for the first time

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Since my rating is less than 500 i have to type out the article that i found, so please bear with me if there are any typos. Jonesboro, Ark: A man who has spent nearly 15 years in prison after being convicted of killing three suburban Memphis boys took the stand for the first time Thursday, insisting that he was innocent and that his lawyers ignored his alibis. Jason Baldwin, 31, said he told his lawyers repeatedly during his 1994 trial that he wanted to testify about his whereabouts in May 1993 when 8 year olds Michael Moore, Stephen Branch and Christopher Byers and until their bodies were found in a ditch. Baldwin said that his lawyer Paul Ford "just shrugged me off." Baldwin was tried along with Damien Echols, and both were convicted of three counts of capital murder. Baldwin recieved life in prison without parole while Echols was sentanced to death. A third co-defendant Jessie Misskelley jr, was tried separately, was convicted of murder and was sentanced to life plus 40 years. All three have appealedthier convictions. State Circut Judge David Burnett began a hearing Wendsday on arguements from new lawyers for Baldwin and Misskelley to void the convictions and sentances, based on claims of ineffective council during thier trials. Baldwin who was 16 at the time, said he wondered why his lawyers did not present phone records showing that his mother called him at home on the evening of the killings. He also said his lawyers did not present evidence of his whereabouts the day the boys disappeared. Baldwin said he was at school that day, mowed his uncles lawn and played video games at a Wal-Mart store, then went home and took care of his younger brother. "I would tell them (his lawyers) everytime. There are people who know where I was on May 5 and May 6", Baldwin said. Ford, the lawyer, testified that he was diligent in representing Baldwin. He said he did not believe Baldwin's mother, uncle or others would make good witnesses, even though he believed that Baldwin did not commit the crimes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So what are your views on this? Do you think that the lawyers did not do thier job properly? How do you feel about all of this?