UALR’s Socratic Society will host a panel discussion, “The West Memphis Three: A Panel Discussion” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov 18, at Dickinson Auditorium with Felicia Epps, professor of law at the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law.

Other participants include Dr. David Jauss, assistant professor of English at UALR; Mara Leveritt, news reporter for the Arkansas Times and author of “Devil’s Knot;” and Carlton “Sonny” Rhodes, associate professor of journalism in the UALR School of Mass Communications.

Controversy has continued over the conviction in 1994 of three teenagers — now known widely as “The West Memphis Three” — for the 1993 murder of three young boys, and legal appeal proceedings are ongoing. Three teenagers were convicted in the case. Damien Echols received the death penalty. Jason Baldwin was sentenced to life, and Jesse Misskelley received life plus 40 years.

Their supporters believe the arrests and convictions were a miscarriage of justice  — citing new DNA evidence — and that the defendants were wrongfully convicted during a period of intense media scrutiny. The defendants remain imprisoned, but legal proceedings are ongoing.

The accurate determination of the guilt or innocence of The West Memphis Three is of immense significance. However, there are also important broader legal and societal issues raised by the case. These broader issues will be the focus of this discussion.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Andrew Eshleman at 501-569-3109.