You may or may not know Unknown things 4 Fan Favorite Character Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) was inspired by a real person named Damien Echols, who got embroiled in a tragic witch hunt of satanic panic in real life. Echols was one of the West Memphis Three, three teenagers wrongfully convicted of the murder of three eight-year-olds in 1994.
Stranger things co-creator Ross Duffer spoke about it in an interview with Netflix, saying, “Something we really wanted to get into this year was satanic panic. So that brought us back to the Paradise Lost documentary series with the [West] Memphis Three, and brought us back to Damien Echols. We really wanted that character who was a metal head, he likes Dungeons & Dragons, in the end he’s a real nerd at heart. But from a stranger’s point of view, they might say, ‘This is someone scary.’ “
Echols has now offered his reaction and thoughts on the character he inspired by sharing the following tweet: “In case anyone else was wondering, I was tremendously honored. And I really appreciate all the new eyes and hearts it brought to the our fight I was watching it at 3am and when I heard the very first “Master of Puppets” chords, my heart exploded. “
Echols was released from prison in 2011 and has worked as an artist and activist ever since. He and his co-defendants, Jessie Misskelley Jr. and Jason Baldwin, were released after spending 18 years in prison. They were told that the only way they would be released would be if they agreed on a request from Alford. This allowed them to assert their innocence while acknowledging that there was evidence to convict them. However, they are still working towards a full relief from the crimes.
In case anyone else was wondering, I was tremendously honored. And I really appreciate all the new eyes and hearts it has brought to our fight.
I was watching it at 3am, and when I heard the very first Master of Puppets chords, my heart exploded. https://t.co/zHmq2vQhoW– Damien Echols (@damienchols) July 16, 2022
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant
