"ME" on Tree

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[78334]

78334 Posts in 6920 Topics by 699 Members
Latest Member: ric2pd

[ethoma1]

What does "ME" marked on a tree at the crime scene have to do with anything? What is ME?

[ethoma1]

Michael Echols?

[MachaSidhe]

Ethoma,

can you point me to that doc? I think I missed it.

Thanks,
Macha

[ethoma1]

This is where I saw it today, but I saw it somewhere else a couple of times.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/1994/mar/08/prosecutors-seek-link-occult-three-boys-death/

[MachaSidhe]

I went through Bryn Ridge's testimony and I don't see where he testified to any "ME" markings on a tree at the crimescene. I think the media got that wrong but if you find anything else let me know , thanks for the link.

Macha

[rugs]

This, from the January 27, 1994: Fax and Ridge report, may help.

3. It was hard from the photos to check but where there any drawings, writings on the ground, trees, bodies?

#3 NO DRAWINGS WERE FOUND ON THE GROUND OR THE TREES. HOWEVER, NEAR THE CRIME SCENE A TREE WAS LOCATED THAT HAD THE INITIALS "M.E." ENGRAVED ON IT. IT MAY BE OF IMPORTANCE THAT ONE OF THE SUSPECTS HAD HIS NAME CHANGED FROM MICHAEL HUTCHESON TO THE NAME DAMIEN ECHOLS.

[MachaSidhe]

ah thanks Rugs , no wonder I couldnt find it I was looking in the wrong place. They said Ridge testified about it and it was AT not near the scene.

don't think the M.E really means anything could have been a bum who carved it or any number of kids who played there , who knows.

Macha

[Storm]

I dont think of it as any major importance. I live in Arizona, and there is a popular mountain people here go to picnic, fish or whatever, anyways, the trees there have peoples initials all over them, carved into the bark. People just do that to leave their mark.  If it said something like "Damien was here," then i could see.

[Christian]

I went through Bryn Ridge's testimony and I don't see where he testified to any "ME" markings on a tree at the crimescene. I think the media got that wrong but if you find anything else let me know

Ridge testified several times during the trial, and his March 7 testimony hasn't been transcribed yet. It's currently only available in audio form. The "ME" markings was briefly brought up during Price's cross-examination, as you can tell from this snippet I transcribed from the audio:


Q: Inspector Ridge, at the crime scene were there any drawings found on the ground or in the trees?

A: No drawings, no sir.

Q: Okay. Were there initials found on a tree near the crime scene?

A: Yes sir.

Q: Okay. And were those initials "ME"?

A: Yes sir.

Q: My client -- his birth name was Michael Hutchison. Is that correct?

A: I suspect. I'm not sure. That's what he told me, I guess.

Q: Okay. And then he later -- are you aware that he later changed his name to Damien Echols?

A: That's what I understand, yes sir.

Q: Okay, so the initials "ME" could not stand for my client's name because he's never gone by "ME" as his initials. Correct?

Mr. Fogleman: Your Honor, is Mr. Price testifying or is he asking a question?

Mr. Price: I'm asking a question.

The Court: It's kind of hard to distinguish.

Mr. Price: Alright.

The Court: Okay. Do you know what the initials "ME" stood for?

A: No sir, I do not.

Q: Did y'all do any kind of test on the tree to indicate how long the initials "ME" had been on the tree?

A: No sir.

[mikespadre]

It was a hackberry tree and no the initals were not carved into the tree. when I get home I will find a pic of a hackberry and post it maybe it will better help everyone understand what all this is about.

[Farm]

BTW Todd, keep in mind that we are all just "pretending" to be your friends, so don't waste too much effort.

A pathetic lot we are.

[mikespadre]

Farm, Ive known that since day one. I know the only real friend I have on this board is Dave... and maybe boo
But what the hell I will post the picture anyway even though you'll probably ban me for it...ha ha ha

[mikespadre]

Thats not a great example but as you can see the bark is smooth with raised ridges and it did appear that the initials were on the tree but they werent carved into it they just kinda grew that way I cant explain it.

[MachaSidhe]

Thanks Chrisitan- I didn't listen to that particular audio.

sorta like the "Virgin Mary" images in the doors or sandwhiches. a fluke thing - Thanks for the pic Todd.

[mikespadre]

I just thought of something funny..... maybe the tree itself was telling us who the murderer was

Sounds like something out of a twilight zone episode.