The West Memphis Three are Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley, Jr. and Jason Baldwin. In 1994, two juries found the men, who were teenagers at the time, guilty of murdering three eight-year-old boys (Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers) in May 1993 in West Memphis. Echols was sentenced to death, Baldwin and Misskelley to life without parole.
Misskelley was the first of the three to be tried in 1994. He was 17 at the time. He was tried separately from the other two because he had confessed—and implicated Echols and Baldwin — in a statement tape-recorded by police. Misskelley retracted the statement but was convicted after prosecutors played it at his trial. Though prosecutors had asked for the death penalty, jurors sentenced Misskelley to life in prison.
Echols and Baldwin were tried immediately after Misskelley. Prosecutors wanted Misskelley to testify at their trial, but he refused, despite offers of a reduced sentence if he would say again that he'd seen them kill the children. Echols and Baldwin have always said they are innocent.
The case gained national attention soon after the teenagers' arrests, when word was leaked that the murders were committed as part of a satanic ritual. A key prosecution witness in the second trial was a self-proclaimed cult expert, who stated that the murders bore "trappings" of the occult. This testimony, combined with testimony about books Echols read and some of his writings, plus evidence that he and Baldwin liked heavy-metal music, and that a number of black t-shirts were found in Baldwin's closet, helped to convict the two.
Prosecutors asked jurors to sentence both to death. Jurors complied with regard to Echols, who was the oldest of the three, at 18, and the accused ringleader. Baldwin, 16, was sentenced to life in prison. Shortly before the trial, prosecutors had offered not to seek the death penalty against Baldwin, if he would say he'd seen Echols kill the boys. Baldwin refused.
In 1996, the Arkansas Supreme Court unanimously affirmed all three convictions. Years of appeals followed, and evidence from the crime was subjected to scientific testing not available in the early '90s. No physical evidence — at the trials or discovered since — has been linked to any of the three convicted. Recent tests, however, did establish that a hair found inside a knot used to bind one of the boys may have come from the stepfather of another of the victims. Additionally, a hair found in the bark of a tree near where the bodies were found was identified as probably belonging to a friend of that stepfather.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Who are the West Memphis Three?
With a potential deal in the works for the West Memphis Three, according to the New York Times, this may be a time to revisit the gory 1993 triple-murder in greater detail through books about the case.
In May 1993, the bodies of three boys were found in the woods of West Memphis, Ark., and their mutilation sparked fears of Satanic worship and sparked a frenzy among townspeople. As a result, many believed the three men convicted of the crimes were victims, literally, of a witch-hunt -- a theory promoted in the award-winning documentary "Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills."
For more about the case, check out "Devil's Knot" by Mara Leveritt. Here's an excerpt, courtesy of Simon and Schuster:
"At 7:41 P.M. on May 5, 1993, a full moon rose behind the Memphis skyline. Its light glinted across the Mississippi River and fell onto the midsized Arkansas town aspiringly named West Memphis. Sometime between the rising of that moon and its setting the next morning, something diabolical would happen in West Memphis. Three eight-year-old boys would vanish, plucked off the streets of their neighborhood by an unseen, murderous hand. Under the glare of the next day's sun, police would discover three young bodies. They would be pulled -- naked, pale, bound, and beaten -- from a watery ditch in a patch of woods alongside two of America's busiest highways. But the investigation would unfold in shadow. Why had one of the boys been castrated? How to account for the absence of blood? Why did the banks of the stream look swept clean? The police would stumble for weeks without clues -- until the moon itself became one."
In May 1993, the bodies of three boys were found in the woods of West Memphis, Ark., and their mutilation sparked fears of Satanic worship and sparked a frenzy among townspeople. As a result, many believed the three men convicted of the crimes were victims, literally, of a witch-hunt -- a theory promoted in the award-winning documentary "Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills."
For more about the case, check out "Devil's Knot" by Mara Leveritt. Here's an excerpt, courtesy of Simon and Schuster:
"At 7:41 P.M. on May 5, 1993, a full moon rose behind the Memphis skyline. Its light glinted across the Mississippi River and fell onto the midsized Arkansas town aspiringly named West Memphis. Sometime between the rising of that moon and its setting the next morning, something diabolical would happen in West Memphis. Three eight-year-old boys would vanish, plucked off the streets of their neighborhood by an unseen, murderous hand. Under the glare of the next day's sun, police would discover three young bodies. They would be pulled -- naked, pale, bound, and beaten -- from a watery ditch in a patch of woods alongside two of America's busiest highways. But the investigation would unfold in shadow. Why had one of the boys been castrated? How to account for the absence of blood? Why did the banks of the stream look swept clean? The police would stumble for weeks without clues -- until the moon itself became one."
Anthony Bourdain rips fellow chefs
In his role as a professional eater and drinker on Travel Channel's No Reservations, Anthony Bourdain's omnivorous bacchanals across the globe have become the stuff of foodie legend. So I braced myself for our meal at NYC's Takashi, a Japanese/Korean restaurant that's known for specialties like beef heart and flash-boiled Achilles' tendon. Would I be able to keep up with his infinite appetite for offal and sake? As it turned out, Bourdain is considerably more tame when he's off duty — and readily admits that these days, he'd rather get home to his wife and kid than stay out late being a bada--.
TV Guide Magazine: When Kitchen Confidential — your best-selling exposé on the culinary industry — came out in 2000, did your life change overnight?
Bourdain: Overnight. One day I was a broke 44-year-old chef with no future; the next I was paying my rent on time for the first time, with the power and ability to go anywhere.
TV Guide Magazine: On No Reservations, now in Season 7, you manage to talk about food without sounding like a windbag. What's the trick?
Bourdain: I don't describe the food. You'll notice again and again I'll take a bite and I'll be like, "Whoa, that's really good." It doesn't do anybody any favors if I describe something as slightly metallic with hints of oak.
TV Guide Magazine: When you're traveling, how homesick do you get?
Bourdain: I'm on the road 220 days a year. I miss my family [wife Ottavia and daughter Ariane] desperately. Show me any 4-year-old saying "Daddy" on TV when I'm away and I'm f---ing devastated.
TV Guide Magazine: Has being a dad mellowed you?
Bourdain: It's everything. How could you even maintain any pretense of dispassion or cynicism when you know what it's like to look at a sleeping little girl's face? Anybody who thinks I'm that [cool] guy? These are the facts: I just want to sit around in my jammies with my daughter!
TV Guide Magazine: "Dream job" seems like an understatement for what you do. Still pinch yourself?
Bourdain: Yeah. We just shot in northern Iraq and Turkey. We're sitting in a Soviet chopper, flying through a canyon — my crew and I look at each other and go, "Who gets to do this?"
TV Guide Magazine: What's the worst thing you've ever eaten?
Bourdain: We have a hard time topping the fermented shark in Iceland — that was really, really bad. Chicken McNuggets are a hell of a lot easier to get down than a rotten shark.
TV Guide Magazine: Is food poisoning an occupational hazard?
Bourdain: I've only gotten it twice in 10 years. Both were tribal, bad-hygiene situations. I just knew I was going to be sick when I saw what I had to eat. Out of respect, I ate what was offered.
TV Guide Magazine: Guests on the show love forcing drinks on you, huh?
Bourdain: It's a dangerous place to be! I'll binge drink and binge eat. But off camera, if fans come up and say, "Let's do tequila shots," they will be sadly disappointed. That would kill me. At home, I don't even keep beer in the fridge.
TV Guide Magazine: You wrote for HBO's Treme last season. How'd that happen?
Bourdain: Out of the blue they asked if I'd like to have lunch. I called up my agent and said, "Whatever [creator] David Simon proposes, just say yes. There will be no negotiating."
TV Guide Magazine: You've made no secret of your disdain for certain celeb chefs. Why so vocal?
Bourdain: I don't have a reputation to protect. I came from nowhere. Whatever success I've had is from being frank and not giving a sh--. I'm incapable of doing otherwise. It's not an integrity thing — I'm just constitutionally and emotionally and neurologically incapable of keeping my mouth shut.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Diet Solution Recipes Roundup
Diet Solution Recipes Roundup
- Tossed Salad with Our Basic Dressing. Your Organic Greens Will Taste Wonderful, Trust Me.
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know how I love to get my claws (and mouth) on healthy Diet Solution recipes. I get a lot of the cool recipes from generous DSP followers. I also thumb through cookbooks, surf the Internet and do a lot of experimenting in the kitchen. When I get a hold of delicious recipes, I’m always excited to share them with you.
I’ve sent out recipes in my newsletters, published them in my books, and posted them here on this site. If you’re short on time and you don’t want to dig through tons of recipes, today’s your lucky day. Here’s a quick roundup of some favorites.
Healthy French Toast
- 2 slices of sprouted grain, rice or spelt bread
- 2 eggs
Friday, January 7, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Fitness programs: 5 steps to getting started
Are you thinking about starting a fitness program? Good for you! You're only five steps away from a healthier lifestyle.
By Mayo Clinic staff
Starting a fitness program may be one of the best things you can do for your health. Physical activity can reduce your risk of chronic disease, improve your balance and coordination, help you lose weight — even improve your sleep habits and self-esteem. And there's more good news. You can do it in just five steps.
Step 1: Assess your fitness level
You probably have some idea of how fit you are. But assessing and recording baseline fitness scores can give you benchmarks against which to measure your progress. To assess your aerobic and muscular fitness, flexibility and body composition, consider recording:
* Your pulse rate before and after you walk 1 mile (1.6 kilometers)
* How long it takes you to walk 1 mile (1.6 kilometers)
* How many push-ups you can do at a time
* How far you can reach forward while seated on the floor with your legs in front of you
* Your waist circumference as measured around your bare abdomen just above your hipbone
* Your body mass index
Step 2: Design your fitness program
It's easy to say that you'll exercise every day. But you'll need a plan. As you design your fitness program, keep these points in mind:
* Consider your fitness goals. Are you starting a fitness program to help lose weight? Or do you have another motivation, such as preparing for a marathon? Having clear goals can help you gauge your progress.
* Create a balanced routine. Most adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity — or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity — a week. Adults also need two or more days of strength training a week.
* Go at your own pace. If you're just beginning to exercise, start cautiously and progress slowly. If you have an injury or a medical condition, consult your doctor or a physical therapist for help designing a fitness program that gradually improves your range of motion, strength and endurance.
* Build activity into your daily routine. Finding time to exercise can be a challenge. To make it easier, schedule time to exercise as you would any other appointment. Plan to watch your favorite show while walking on the treadmill, or read while riding a stationary bike.
* Plan to include different activities. Different activities (cross-training) can keep exercise boredom at bay. Cross-training also reduces your chances of injuring or overusing one specific muscle or joint. Plan to alternate among activities that emphasize different parts of your body, such as walking, swimming and strength training.
* Allow time for recovery. Many people start exercising with frenzied zeal — working out too long or too intensely — and give up when their muscles and joints become sore or injured. Plan time between sessions for your body to rest and recover.
* Put it on paper. A written plan may encourage you to stay on track.
Step 3: Assemble your equipment
You'll probably start with athletic shoes. Be sure to pick shoes designed for the activity you have in mind.
If you're planning to invest in exercise equipment, choose something that's practical, enjoyable and easy to use. You may want to try out certain types of equipment at a fitness center before investing in your own equipment. To stretch your exercise dollars, consider buying used equipment. Or get creative. Make your own weights by filling old socks with beans or pennies, or by partially filling a half-gallon milk jug with water or sand and securing the tops with duct tape.
Step 4: Get started
Now you're ready for action. As you begin your fitness program, keep these tips in mind:
* Start slowly and build up gradually. Give yourself plenty of time to warm up and cool down with easy walking or gentle stretching. Then speed up to a pace you can continue for five to 10 minutes without getting overly tired. As your stamina improves, gradually increase the amount of time you exercise. Work your way up to 30 to 60 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
* Break things up if you have to. You don't have to do all your exercise at one time. Shorter but more-frequent sessions have aerobic benefits, too. Fifteen minutes of exercise a couple of times a day may fit into your schedule better than a single 30-minute session.
* Be creative. Maybe your workout routine includes various activities, such as walking, bicycling or rowing. But don't stop there. Take a weekend hike with your family or spend an evening ballroom dancing.
* Listen to your body. If you feel pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or nausea, take a break. You may be pushing yourself too hard.
* Be flexible. If you're not feeling good, give yourself permission to take a day or two off.
Step 5: Monitor your progress
Retake your personal fitness assessment six weeks after you start your program and then again every three to six months. You may notice that you need to increase the amount of time you exercise in order to continue improving. Or you may be pleasantly surprised to find that you're exercising just the right amount to meet your fitness goals.
If you lose motivation, set new goals or try a new activity. Exercising with a friend or taking a class at a fitness center may help, too.
Starting an exercise program is an important decision. But it doesn't have to be an overwhelming one. By planning carefully and pacing yourself, you can establish a healthy habit that lasts a lifetime.
By Mayo Clinic staff
Starting a fitness program may be one of the best things you can do for your health. Physical activity can reduce your risk of chronic disease, improve your balance and coordination, help you lose weight — even improve your sleep habits and self-esteem. And there's more good news. You can do it in just five steps.
Step 1: Assess your fitness level
You probably have some idea of how fit you are. But assessing and recording baseline fitness scores can give you benchmarks against which to measure your progress. To assess your aerobic and muscular fitness, flexibility and body composition, consider recording:
* Your pulse rate before and after you walk 1 mile (1.6 kilometers)
* How long it takes you to walk 1 mile (1.6 kilometers)
* How many push-ups you can do at a time
* How far you can reach forward while seated on the floor with your legs in front of you
* Your waist circumference as measured around your bare abdomen just above your hipbone
* Your body mass index
Step 2: Design your fitness program
It's easy to say that you'll exercise every day. But you'll need a plan. As you design your fitness program, keep these points in mind:
* Consider your fitness goals. Are you starting a fitness program to help lose weight? Or do you have another motivation, such as preparing for a marathon? Having clear goals can help you gauge your progress.
* Create a balanced routine. Most adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity — or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity — a week. Adults also need two or more days of strength training a week.
* Go at your own pace. If you're just beginning to exercise, start cautiously and progress slowly. If you have an injury or a medical condition, consult your doctor or a physical therapist for help designing a fitness program that gradually improves your range of motion, strength and endurance.
* Build activity into your daily routine. Finding time to exercise can be a challenge. To make it easier, schedule time to exercise as you would any other appointment. Plan to watch your favorite show while walking on the treadmill, or read while riding a stationary bike.
* Plan to include different activities. Different activities (cross-training) can keep exercise boredom at bay. Cross-training also reduces your chances of injuring or overusing one specific muscle or joint. Plan to alternate among activities that emphasize different parts of your body, such as walking, swimming and strength training.
* Allow time for recovery. Many people start exercising with frenzied zeal — working out too long or too intensely — and give up when their muscles and joints become sore or injured. Plan time between sessions for your body to rest and recover.
* Put it on paper. A written plan may encourage you to stay on track.
Step 3: Assemble your equipment
You'll probably start with athletic shoes. Be sure to pick shoes designed for the activity you have in mind.
If you're planning to invest in exercise equipment, choose something that's practical, enjoyable and easy to use. You may want to try out certain types of equipment at a fitness center before investing in your own equipment. To stretch your exercise dollars, consider buying used equipment. Or get creative. Make your own weights by filling old socks with beans or pennies, or by partially filling a half-gallon milk jug with water or sand and securing the tops with duct tape.
Step 4: Get started
Now you're ready for action. As you begin your fitness program, keep these tips in mind:
* Start slowly and build up gradually. Give yourself plenty of time to warm up and cool down with easy walking or gentle stretching. Then speed up to a pace you can continue for five to 10 minutes without getting overly tired. As your stamina improves, gradually increase the amount of time you exercise. Work your way up to 30 to 60 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
* Break things up if you have to. You don't have to do all your exercise at one time. Shorter but more-frequent sessions have aerobic benefits, too. Fifteen minutes of exercise a couple of times a day may fit into your schedule better than a single 30-minute session.
* Be creative. Maybe your workout routine includes various activities, such as walking, bicycling or rowing. But don't stop there. Take a weekend hike with your family or spend an evening ballroom dancing.
* Listen to your body. If you feel pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or nausea, take a break. You may be pushing yourself too hard.
* Be flexible. If you're not feeling good, give yourself permission to take a day or two off.
Step 5: Monitor your progress
Retake your personal fitness assessment six weeks after you start your program and then again every three to six months. You may notice that you need to increase the amount of time you exercise in order to continue improving. Or you may be pleasantly surprised to find that you're exercising just the right amount to meet your fitness goals.
If you lose motivation, set new goals or try a new activity. Exercising with a friend or taking a class at a fitness center may help, too.
Starting an exercise program is an important decision. But it doesn't have to be an overwhelming one. By planning carefully and pacing yourself, you can establish a healthy habit that lasts a lifetime.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)