The West Memphis Police Department officer who found the first body in 1993's killings of three 8-year-olds, was on the stand this morning at a hearing in Jonesboro.

Sgt. Mike Allen testified for the state. He told the court he did not see any turtles after a creek was drained near the murder scene, but that he had seen turtles in bayous around the city.

The hearing is a continuation of proceedings for Jason Baldwin and Jessie Miskelley that were postponed in August. The pair were teenagers when they were convicted in the case and sentenced to life in prison. Damien Echols, the third person convicted in the case is on Arkansas death row.

At issue before the court is whether or not Baldwin and Miskelley had adequate legal representation during the trials that led to their convictions.

In court this morning, Misskelley's attorney asked about previous activity at the creek mentioned above, in trying to prove that aquatic life such as turtles may have left the area because of the search.

Pam Hobbs, the mother of victim Stevie Branch was seen in the courtroom today.