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Arkansas Supreme Court Decision Allows New DNA Testing in Case of the ​“West Memphis Three,” Convicted of Killing Three Children in 1993

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On April 18, 2024, the Arkansas Supreme Court decided 4-3 to reverse a 2022 lower court decision and allow genetic testing of crime scene evidence from the 1993 killing of three eight-year-old boys in West Memphis. The three men convicted in 1994 for the killings were released in 2011 after taking an Alford plea, in which they maintained their innocence but plead guilty to the crime, in exchange for 18 years’ time served and 10 years of a suspended sentence. 

Indonesia: executions resuming at fast pace

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Rio Alek Bulo was executed by firing squad on Friday 8 August. He was convicted in 2001 of murdering four people and whilst awaiting execution was convicted of killing a fellow inmate. His request for clemency was rejected by the President in 2004, and the Indonesian Supreme Court turned down his final appeal for a case review in April this year.

The three others mentioned in the Urgent Action were executed on the 18 and 19 of July (see UA 199/08).

This execution brings the total number of people executed since executions resumed on 26 June to 7. At least 107 prisoners in Indonesia are awaiting execution.

Source: Amnesty International
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