Watch Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills

Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills is a documentary film released in 1996, directed by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky. The film follows the investigation of the murders of three young boys in West Memphis, Arkansas in 1993 and the subsequent trial of three teenagers accused of the murders.

The film opens with the discovery of the bodies of Michael Moore, Christopher Byers, and Stevie Branch, all eight years old, in a wooded area in Robin Hood Hills on May 6, 1993. The investigation by the West Memphis Police Department quickly leads them to three teenagers: Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr. All three are arrested and charged with the murders.

As the trial unfolds, the filmmakers follow the proceedings, interviewing family members of the victims, the accused, and the investigators. The prosecution presents their case, claiming that the teenagers are devil-worshipping Satanists who committed the murders as part of a ritual sacrifice. The defense argues that there is no evidence to support this theory and that the teenagers are being unfairly targeted due to their appearance and social status.

The documentary highlights the flaws in the case against the teenagers, including the fact that Misskelley's confession was coerced, the lack of physical evidence tying them to the crime scene, and the possible involvement of a man with a history of violent behavior in the area at the time of the murders. The film also sheds light on the prejudices and biases of the small town community and how these influenced the investigation and trial.

Throughout the film, the audience is shown footage of the accused and the victims, along with interviews with their families, friends, and members of the community. We hear from Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley themselves, as well as from their supporters and those who believe in their innocence.

The film also features the controversial figure John Mark Byers, stepfather of Christopher Byers and a vocal supporter of the prosecution. Byers is shown engaging in questionable behavior, such as giving a knife to Echols as a gift and talking about his desire to kill the accused. His behavior, along with other inconsistencies in the case, adds to the tension and drama of the film.

Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills is a haunting and powerful look at the devastating impact of violence on a small community and the justice system that failed them. The filmmakers manage to present a balanced and nuanced portrayal of the events, showing both the devastation of the families of the victims and the struggles of the accused to get a fair trial.

The film's impact was significant, drawing attention to the flaws in the American criminal justice system and sparking a national conversation about the death penalty and the treatment of juvenile offenders. It was followed by two more films in the "Paradise Lost" series, both of which continued to follow the case and provide updates on the lives of those involved.

Overall, Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged documentary that still resonates with audiences over 25 years later.

Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between December 3, 1996 and on