Untying the Knot: John Mark Byers and the West Memphis Child Murders - by Greg Day: Recent Comments

Comment on Terry Hobbs vs Natalie Maines - Pure Puffery?

Tina M Dayton OH — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:48:35 GMT

Greg, Hi...it's been a while :)

I just wanted to add here that while I absolutely agree that if we want to fight the good fight for due process and unbiased view of the WM3 than we should err on the side of caution and NOT point fingers at others who may or may not be equally innocent of these crimes. I have to admit, also, that I was once one among many WM3 supporters who believed Mark was guilty of killing the three boys in 1993. That was before several things happened - among them (1) a BUNCH of new evidence has surfaced, including the Mt DNA which excluded Byers as well as Echols and his buddies as the killer(s) and (2) I went on to study law and now have more functional understanding of how the system works. No, the DNA is not a smoking gun...although in consideration of what courts refer to as "the totality of circumstances test", I see why many other supporters now believe Hobbs isthe guilty party. His lack of an alibi, frequent inconsist statements and history of violence raise some serious red flags. I will, however, hebce forth, refrain from making snap judgements myself out of respect for the concept of "innocent until proven guilty" and all these mens' rights thereto. Greg, I appreciate your efforts to remain as objective as possible throughout all this. Be well.

Tina Musgrove

Comment on Terry Hobbs vs Natalie Maines - Pure Puffery?

Greg Day — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:40:27 GMT

Er, ok. I'm not sure what you're responding to. Maybe you can enlighten us?

Comment on Terry Hobbs vs Natalie Maines - Pure Puffery?

Erika — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:09:53 GMT

That was Mark Byers that had his teeth pulled, not Terry Hobbs.

Comment on Terry Hobbs vs Natalie Maines - Pure Puffery?

Juanita — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:16:22 GMT

OMG OMG Are you kidding me? "Terry Hobbs might be a victim too." have you read everything? Answer just this one question why get his teeth pulled out? i would give 2 years of my life free of charge to investigate fully!

Comment on 'Decency Lost'

Greg Day — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:21:05 GMT

Tina, of course I know that. You've always been candid with your comments, and I with mine. One of the problems with the politically correct culture in general, and those surrounding this case in particular, is that they are a thin-skinned lot with an agenda. Of course, they probably say the same thing about me

I don't expect - or even want, if the truth be known - everyone to agree with me. What a bore!

But I did have to chuckle on your use of the word "hired."

Comment on 'Decency Lost'

Greg Day — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:47:47 GMT

Thank you Amanda. While the book is at the publisher I'll have a brief window to blog more (which I really like) so stick around.

Comment on 'Decency Lost'

Tina M Dayton OH — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:51:34 GMT

Greg,

I hope you know I am not one of those who have "blasted" you...and I recognize their has been plenty of ugly on both sides. This is an emotional situation for many of those who have been personally involved/touched by it.

I don't envy your position of being hired to tell this story by someone so closely connected (Mark, I mean). I'm betting you really are exhausted! So just to clarify my earlier commentary, you and I may have had differing views on many things but I value your commitment to being as unbiased as possible under the circumstances.

Besides, we all know that legally and factually guilty are too different things entirely. I can see your point that many folks have been persuaded to support one side or the other by what they have read in books / online - and what they've seen on TV / in the media. While it may not be our intention, that is almost always the end result in a case like this.

For what it's worth, I can't wait to read your book, either!

Tina

Comment on 'Decency Lost'

Amanda — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:01:30 GMT

Thank you for this piece. I agree with your sentiments completely.

Comment on 'Decency Lost'

Greg Day — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:56:09 GMT

Your comment could not have come at a better time for me personally, as you are surely aware. For every poster who blasted me publicly, there were ten who seethed almost silently (they made their feelings known elsewhere). As you can see, I received very little positive feedback, but as you also recognized, I didn't expect there to be any.

The most satisfying observation you made was that you have no idea what I believe about the case. This has been my objective since the beginning (I started the book in August of 2005), and people are constantly trying to read between the lines to find out what "side" I'm on. My book is subtitled Mark Byers and the West Memphis Child Murders for a reason. It is not an oversized Op-Ed piece. As I say in the introduction to the book (the published version is different than the one on the website), it was written not necessarily to persuade, but to inform. The good, bad and ugly. And Peter, there is plenty of ugly to go around on both sides.

The book is at the publisher now in the editorial evaluation phase. In a week or so I'll have to start revisions and with any luck at all the book will be available by April, but please don't hold me to it - so much is out of my control. I'll do everything I can to move it along as quickly as possible. I'm sure you don't find it hard to understand, but like Judge Burnett, I'm tired of this case. Upon the release of the book, my obligation will be fulfilled.

Thanks so much for writing Peter.

Comment on 'Decency Lost'

Elicia C — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:02:52 GMT

"In the meantime, considering that they are legally guilty, an Oscar is inappropriate and a slap in the face to the Moores." What a wonderfully written sentence. Regardless of what our personal beliefs regarding the WM3, they are IN FACT legally guilty. Thank you so much for a wonderful post. I can't wait to read your book.