By Meena Kar
Sep 2, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Johnny Depp got together with Eddie Vedder and Natalie Maines for a weekend concert to raise funds for the West Memphis Three. The gig was organized exactly one month before Damien Echols, one of the accused, will be appealing for a retrial that is based on the DNA evidence that supports their story. The concert was held at the Little Rock’s Robinson Center Music Hall in front of a 2500 strong audience. The funds raised by the stars will help pay the legal fees and raise awareness about the three men who have been convicted in 1993 for the murder of three 8 year old children.

Johnny Depp has been the face of the fight for the West Memphis Three over the years. He spoke at length about their innocence in the CBS show on the trio recently. Other celebrities have also shown support for the three men who have been in prison for 17 years, believing that they were wrongly accused and were innocent. During the concert, Johnny Depp read out a page from the journal of Damien Echols, who has been on the death row for 17 years now. Jessie Misskelley Sr., the father of Jessie Misskelley Jr.(one of West Memphis Three) said that he was grateful to know that someone was fighting for the cause of his son.

The West Memphis Three has received immense media attention over the years as several celebs have showed support for their cause. After their conviction, it was found that none of the evidences pointed to their guilt and they were convicted based on local superstitions and social stigmas.