Yes, it's a robust document. How supporters can sweep this under the rug is really a testament to their denial and/or dishonesty. This was clearly a dangerous, psychotic individual. I'm sure someone will chime in with "he was just a typical troubled teen". I am Echols' age and was a long-haired Metallica freak outcast who wore black exclusively. I watched PL1 because of Metallica's involvement and because I thought I was going to see a story about kids just like me who were wrongly convicted. Pretty much from the start of the movie, I said to myself, "ummm....these guys are guilty...this is not right. I'm going to dig deeper." Of course with hardly scratching the surface of the truth, you can see that Berlinger and Sinofsky were utterly disingenuous and manipulative, omitting glaring facts that pointed to their guilt and being outright deceptive about the facts. I hung out with guys like me, that looked like Echols and Baldwin - I NEVER encountered anyone remotely close to the psychotic headcase that is Echols.
Here's a bit of a summary.
Source: Exhibit 500
http://callahan.8k.com/wm3/img/exh500.html
Page numbers are in parentheses.
5/7/92. E. Arkansas Mental Health Center: Client admits to having been suspended seven times this past semester for initiating fights at school and starting fires. States in one fight he almost gouged out the victim’s eyes. (29)
6/1/92 - 6/25/92. Committed to Charter Hospital of Little Rock: Admits to a history of violence and attempting to scratch out the eyes of a classmate. There were major concerns that Damien was exhibiting disturbed thinking. He has a history of extreme physical aggression toward others. It was felt that he needed to be temporarily removed from his environment to provide protection for him and protection for others. ( 92, 188).
Damien states, “I burn myself with lighters. I have huffed gas and paint, used speed, marijuana, glue, and alcohol.” (232).
Psychosocial Assessment: Patient appeared to be sniffing the air around him as if he were responding to an external stimulus. He also cut his eyes in one direction or the other; may have been experiencing auditory hallucinations. (237).
Verbalized concern that there are surveillance cameras behind his mirror and under his desk. Quite paranoid, drawing symbols. Damien definitely bears watching. ( 281, 297).
Damien states, “If he (girlfriend’s father) had hit her, I would have blown him away. Next time I will eliminate that person.” (295). Damien also threatened to kill police officers. (366).
Mother concerned that son “not learning to deal with anger and rages.” Mother said Damien might be responding to outside stimulation, voiced fear that “son may be crazy.” (301).
Psychological Report: The behavior of this youngster is characterized by impulsive hostility...the desire to gain power and demean others springs from animosity and a wish to vindicate past grievances. This teenager believes that past degradations may be undone by provoking fear and intimidation in others. Cool and distant, this youth demonstrates little or no compassion for others. (212)
6/25/92: Discharged to mother with instructions for continuing care. Family moving to Oregon. (309)
9/2/92 - 9/4/92. Committed to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Oregon. Patient denies suicidal or homicidal ideation. However, in talking with family members, they state that he made it quite clear that he had thoughts of harming other people, i.e. was going to cut his mother’s throat and made verbal threats to his father in the emergency room. (104). Because of Damien’s threats, both parents do not want him to return to their home. They are frightened of him and what he can do, not only to them but to the two other children who reside in the home. Damien is to return to Arkansas by bus. (150).
9/14/92 - 9/28/92. Readmitted to Charter Hospital. While in Oregon, Damien made a plan to “slash my parents’ throats and eat them alive.” Damien believes that he is a vampire and does worship the devil. Has made several statements indicating that he has a desire to harm others. He admitted to sucking the blood out of a peer’s neck. (87, 374, 375).
Stated he had attempted suicide before and “wasn’t worried about trying again, because I know I can come back.” (377)
Discharged 9/28/92. Aftercare to be arranged by T. Deaton, Dr. Gallien/M. Wilson.
Diagnosis: 1. Psychotic Disorder NOS and 2. Dysthymia. (344, 439).
1/5/93. Mental Health Center reopens case: Reports self-mutilation, cutting self with knives. Will “trance out” since 5th grade - doesn’t have to deal with what’s going on. Says he thinks a lot about life after death-- “I want to go where the monsters go.” (41, 42).
He has tried to steal energy from someone else and influence others’ minds with witchcraft. Describes self as “pretty much hates the human race.” Relates that he feels people are in two classes--sheep and wolves (wolves eat the sheep). (42).
1/19/93: Reveals history of abuse as he talked of how he was treated as a child. States, “I just put it all inside.” Describes this as more than just anger - like rage. Sometimes he does “blow up.” Relates that when this happens, the only solution is to “hurt someone.” When questioned on his feelings he states, “I know I’m going to influence the world. People will remember me.” (50).
1/25/93: Speaks of rituals, drinking blood, more involved in demonology. Damien explained that he obtains his power by drinking blood of others. He typically drinks the blood of a sexual partner or of a ruling partner. This is achieved by biting or cutting. He states, “It makes me feel like a god.” He wants very much to be all powerful. He wants very much to be in total control. (52)
Damien relates that a spirit is now living with him. This is reportedly a spirit of a woman who was killed by her husband. In addition, he also reports conversations with demons and other spirits. This is achieved through rituals. (52)
2/5/93: Damien is noted to have cuts on his right arm and hand. Related feeling very angry yesterday when running into previous girlfriend. “I controlled it - I can do anything. “ (54)
The Social Security Administration determined that Echols was 100% disabled due to mental impairment and granted him full disability benefits. (
http://callahan.8k.com/wm3/gwoods.html 8.b)
5/5/93 A.M: At times he is impulsive and does things that may be harmful to him. He has impulses to do strange and harmful things. (61 and
http://callahan.8k.com/wm3/ebtrial/jmoneypenny.html)
5/5/93 P.M.: Christopher Byers, Stevie Branch, and Michael Moore are murdered.
