ID Investigates Infamous West Memphis Three Saga

Harrison Land, executive producer for The West Memphis Three: An ID Murder Mystery from Jupiter Entertainment, talks to TV Real about how this latest installment of Investigation Discovery’s Murder Mystery franchise delves deep inside the notorious case.

The story of three young boys accused of a gruesome triple homicide in small-town Arkansas gripped the nation back in the early ’90s, and what followed became a decade-long global saga and search for justice. The trio, who became known as “the West Memphis Three,” have long maintained their innocence and were released from prison in 2011 after entering an Alford plea, but the case continues to intrigue many around the world, as many questions remain unanswered.

This Sunday, April 5, Investigation Discovery (ID) will air The West Memphis Three: An ID Murder Mystery. Produced by Jupiter Entertainment, this latest installment of ID’s Murder Mystery franchise delves deep inside the investigation, taking a closer look at the flimsy evidence against the teens and possible motivations behind the murders.

“We are always looking for well-known, iconic stories that we can shine a new light on for viewers, especially when there is a larger theme to explore,” says Harrison Land, executive producer for the series from Jupiter Entertainment. “The case of the West Memphis Three checked all of these boxes.”

The three-hour special event features one-on-one interviews with those closest to the case, including with one of the defendants, Jason Baldwin, marking the first major documentary he has participated in since the early 2000s. There’s also courtroom footage, interrogation room audio tapes and emotional interviews with family members.

“We offer a new theory toward the end of the special that we have yet to see anywhere,” Land teases. “Additionally, Jason Baldwin was released in 2011, so he’s now had almost a decade to think back on the tragic events that transpired and the years he lost. We think his new perspective is incredibly important. We also feel that we’ve taken a uniquely holistic and fair-minded approach to the story.”

Having Baldwin’s involvement is key, he adds. “Having one of the wrongfully accused men in our special is not only necessary in terms of giving him a platform to have his voice heard, but it ***Image***also gives our viewers the true, inside story of what really happened and how it impacted the lives of those affected.”

Along with the televised special, ID has the accompanying digital series West Memphis Three: The Missing Pieces, exclusively for IDGo. The digital companion episode features true-crime vlogger Griffin Arnlud discussing how the involvement of artists such as Eddie Vedder, Johnny Depp, Henry Rollins and Natalie Maines helped turn the tide of public opinion. Also, true-crime vlogger Stephanie Harlowe explores a few of the still-popular theories that attempt to explain the crime.

The West Memphis Three: The Missing Pieces delves deeper into the margins of the story, exploring fascinating avenues that the linear show briefly touches on,” Land explains. “We look at the cultural milieu that created the ‘Satanic Panic’ of the 1980s and 90s, speaking with Jeffrey S. Victor, the sociologist whose groundbreaking work identified the phenomena.”

The West Memphis Three: An ID Murder Mystery premieres Sunday at 9 p.m., The West Memphis Three: The Missing Pieces releasing immediately after.

“We hope that viewers realize that sometimes the facts are behind the surface, obscured by ‘convenient’ scapegoats,” Land says. “Crime isn’t always what meets the eye and often we need to dig deeper to uncover the truth. We also hope that viewers understand the importance of compassion for one another during these trying times.”

This project comes as another true-crime feature in the hat for Jupiter, which has a long track record of tackling important stories over multiple hours. “From the Atlanta Child Murders to Aaron Hernandez, these are stories that require strong connections within the law enforcement community and an inherent respect for the victims’ families’ voices and point of view,” Land says. “This is something I am very proud of and something I think we do really well.”

He adds that the producer-broadcaster relationship on this story has been a great one. “Investigation Discovery is the perfect home for this project because this story is not just about the shocking social injustice that took place; it is also about groundbreaking forensic work, grassroots organizing, and the human psyche—all things that resonate with the Investigation Discovery audience.”