Damien Echols of the West Memphis Three Tweets "Today Was My Original Execution Date"

Damien Echols, notoriously known as one of the "West Memphis Three" was released from prison in 2011 after serving an 18-year sentence. On Tuesday, Echols tweeted that May 5 was his original execution date and that today would have been his 21st death anniversary.

In 1994, Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr. of West Memphis, Arkansas were convicted for the murders of three Cub Scouts, notes Rolling Stone. It was one of the most wide-spread and controversial cases. Echols was given three death penalties, while Misskelley and Baldwin were sentenced to life in prison. Misskelley reportedly only had an IQ of 68.

Causing quite a stir, the "West Memphis Three" became the main focus of several documentaries, novels and articles filled with strangers building cases for their innocence and freedom. The case focused heavily on Echol's Metallica T-shirts, his keenness for heavy metal music and for owning Stephen King novels--all of which was considered evidence in what was referred to as Satanic killings. Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder, The Dixie Chicks and Black Flag front man Henry Rollins strongly support the innocence of the "West Memphis Three" and have displayed acts of assistance by voicing their opinions and using their celebrity to send messages to the masses.

New DNA evidence concludes that the three men were available to leave prison once they changed their pleas from not guilty to guilty. At the time, NBC explained that this legal strategy permitted Echols, Misskelley and Baldwin "maintain their innocence while acknowledging prosecutors likely had enough evidence to convict them."

Echols refers to his 18-year sentence and legal trouble as an "absolute living hell." In attempts to start fresh, Echols penned a memoir in 2012, which included personal artwork he crafted while serving time.