USA ties up 'Knot' pic on murders

09/14/2003 - Variety

By Michael Schneider

USA Network has fast-tracked a telepic based on the case of the West Memphis Three, whom many believe were wrongfully convicted of murdering three boys in Arkansas.

"Devil's Knot" is based on author Mara Leveritt's book of the same name, which has been called the "definitive reinvestigation" of the fate of the so-called West Memphis Three: Damien Echols, Jessie Miskelly and Jason Baldwin. All three were convicted in 1993 for the brutal murder of three young boys from West Memphis. Echols is now on death row, while Miskelly and Baldwin are also behind bars.

Several activists believe Echols, Miskelly and Baldwin were convicted with very little evidence, other than their fascination with heavy-metal music and Goth fashion -- which were taken as evidence of guilt. Several celebrities have taken up support for the exoneration of the West Memphis Three, including the Dead Kennedys' Jello Biafra, rock group Metallica and Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder. Winona Ryder recently held a fundraiser in Los Angeles, where the art exhibit "Cruel and Unusual," to benefit the West Memphis Three, is currently on display.

Producers hope to rush the telepic through for air by next spring, when Echols is scheduled to be executed. Elizabeth Fowler and Ilene Kahn Power will exec produce "Devil's Knot," while Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky will co-exec produce.

Leveritt will serve as a consultant on the project. USA Cable Entertainment, the studio behind the telepic, is on the verge of hiring a screenwriter.

Berlinger and Sinofsky have studied the West Memphis Three for several years, having produced the Emmy-winning HBO documentaries "Paradise Lost" and "Paradise Lost II," which revolved around the case.

Interest in the case continues to grow; Berlinger and Sinofsky are also behind the feature film "West Memphis Three," which will be helmed by Alex Steyermark

(Dana Harris contributed to this report.)