ENTERTAINMENT

Johnny Depp at TIFF to support doc 'West of Memphis'

The Canadian Press Published Saturday, September 8, 2012 2:01PM EDT

Johnny Depp participates at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 8, 2012.

Actor Johnny Depp participates in a photo call and press conference for the film "West of Memphis" at TIFF Bell Lightbox during the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday Sept. 8, 2012 in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

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TORONTO - Megastar Johnny Depp says he's at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend to help a friend fight for justice.

The "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor attended a news conference this morning in support of the new documentary "West of Memphis."

In Pictures: Johnny Depp melts hearts on Day 3 @ TIFF

Directed by Amy Berg, the film covers the case of the so-called West Memphis Three, a trio of teens who were sentenced to life in prison for the gruesome 1993 murders of three young boys in a small Arkansas town.

Damien Echols, who also sat in on the press conference, and two friends spent 18 years in jail before winning their release.

The documentary makes the case that the teens were victims of an incompetent police force and opportunistic prosecutors looking to attach their names to a big conviction.

Also speaking to reporters via Skype was "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson, who produced "West of Memphis" and helped finance the independent investigation that found evidence to clear the three.