The Strange Case of Barry Beach

[unknown]

http://insidedateline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2008/04/04/4374219-the-strange-case-of-barry-beach

I viewed this Dateline episode The Killing at Poplar River 2 nights back and found it extremely intriguing.
The centerpieces of the case is a brow-beaten false confession of a 20 yr old man named
Barry Beach.Also including mistaken statements of witnesses and a gross mis-interpretation
of the crime scene evidence which led to his conviction and life sentence.The program thoroughly
discusses false confessions and how they happen.When Beach is interviewed by lester Holt, his
explanation is almost exactly that of Jessie Misskelley.

He is locked up and became just another guilty murderer in prison and basically forgotten about.
Over the years Beach began a writing campaign that begged people for help.Several of his letters
found their way to the Centurion Ministries, a group that takes on such cases.They accepted the case
and began their own investigation to find that every aspect of the confession and police investigation to be grossly inept.

The show also focuses on DNA exxonerations with very informative info on the steady progression
of the science and it's use in uncovering wrongful convictions.

I believe the prosecutor of the case went on to become governor of (state escapes me).

Please click the link above for a very interesting short synopsis of this case.
A very special 2-hour Dateline, 'The Killing at Poplar River,' will air on NBC Friday, April 4, at 9 p.m. ET.

I am certain if many of you take the opportunity to view the program, you will find striking
similarities to what led to Jessie's confession, a tunnel visioned investigation and ultimately
to a wrongful conviction due to a highly skewed scenario presented to the jury that found
Beach guilty.

[unknown]

BigT, thank you. I'll send a link to this episode around the horn over here in L Rock.

[unknown]

Big T , I have been a supporter of barrys for years....He is out now awaiting a new trial...He just had his 50 birthday a few weeks ago and invited me to celabrate with him but montana is a long way from jersey...I also seen the re air over the weekend and thought the woluld modify the ending that he got out and is awaiting a new trial..3 decades behind bars for somthing he didnt do.

[unknown]

Hey Big T
Thanks for bringing up Barry. When I was beginning to read more on true crime, I read this story along w/ several others. But you know how it is when you read too much info all at once; I kinda of forgot it.

His name wasn't familiar to me in your post. But when I began to read I realized I'd discovered the story before under 'Kim Nees'.  Was really thrilled to see that he has been released. Very unhappy to see those unethical prosecutors keep trying to send him back to prison. Does this ex-Gov. remind you of someone by the name of McDaniel and his aspirations???

There are many similar elements in these cases. It seems we are seeing so many of these cases of innocents who were convicted & have lost the best years of their lives. How many more are still incarcerated?? Guess for years to come we're going to be cleaning up the mess of small minded and/or corrupt judicial decisions that have been allowed to stand.

PS: Great for you Perculator!!!  Bless his heart, he sounds like a really neat guy that most everyone there loves and supports. Let us know how things work out (although I won't forget this time).

[unknown]

Thanks all.I feel for the man, listening to him talk I get the strong
impression of just a nice everydayman that's innocent.Especially
when he explains why he confessed.As with his case and this one, the
investigators went out to wrap all other evidence around a false
confession.I hope they do add something positive when it airs again
on April 4.God bless those Centurion guys!

Perculator, if there's a supporter group add me.

[unknown]

Thanks all.I feel for the man, listening to him talk I get the strong
impression of just a nice everydayman that's innocent.Especially
when he explains why he confessed.As with his case and this one, the
investigators went out to wrap all other evidence around a false
confession.I hope they do add something positive when it airs again
on April 4.God bless those Centurion guys!

Perculator, if there's a supporter group add me.

Barry has a facebook page mainly run by a friend of his but he does occasionaly post on it and theres a website motana for justice....Hey big T the police really messed up when they discribed what kim knees was wearing wrong and barry dicribed the same thing because they told him...That prosecutor would not be standing to long if I ever came face to face with him...He makes me sick,total scumbag.

[unknown]

Heres the website Big T....http://montanansforjustice.com/press.html

[unknown]

Thanks back at'cha to both of you guys.

I signed up as well. There's just something about this case that really tugs at my heartstrings more than any other case (other than the 3, of course). Maybe it's just I feel he is so far away in desolate Montana and seems so alone. Realistically I know both statements are false. We visited Montana many years ago (don't even ask how many). It is breathtaking and 'Big Sky Country' fits perfectly. And the majority of his town seem to love and support him and his innocence.

Maybe because here we are again with a young man loosing his life and his future.

Maybe I'm just sick and tired of watching this happen over and over and nothing appears to change in the judicial system although, it would take very little revision to turn a DJ&J letter (to elected officials) into a 'Barry' letter. Maybe let the prosecutor know people across the country are watching.

One of these days one of these cases is going to burst wide open. I see no reason that it shouldn't be the 3. It would be a 'good thing' for all.

And those damn women!!! They won't keep their mouth shut but it does no good - no one seems to want to investigate them even if they do comfess to everyone & their brother, literally.
Can you imagine 5 or 6 THs - they'd have to commit (or jail) us all!!!