The West Memphis 3, three men who served about 18 years in prison after being convicted of Killing three Cub Scouts in Arkansas, are now free men.

Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr. were released from prison on Friday. They were convicted of murdering three 8-year-olds in West Memphis, Ark., in 1993.

The trio was allowed to plead guilty to murder in exchange for time served. The guilty pleas ended a long-running legal battle that had sparked questions about DNA and key witnesses. The case also got support from celebrities like Eddie Vedder, who became a key supporter of the men after watching HBO documentaries about the case.

Echols was sentenced to death and Misskelley and Baldwin were sentenced to life in prison. All three men have were adamant in maintaining their innocence.

I am innocent of these charges but I am entering an Alford guilty plea, Echols told the judge.

Although I am innocent, this plea is in my best interest, Misskelley said according to the Associated Press.

They were all given 10 years' probation, prosecutor Scott Ellington said.

HBO Free