By Cindy Davis | Streaming | January 11, 2016 |
By Cindy Davis | Streaming | January 11, 2016 |
What would have happened to Steven Avery if Netflix hadn’t picked up Making a Murderer? Filmmakers Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos shopped around the documentary series to a number of networks including HBO and PBS and were turned down by all; it was several years before Netflix picked it up. As it stands, the catalyst for our international obsession with the Avery case may end up aiding in his second exoneration.
As announced in a Friday afternoon press release, Texas attorney Kathleen Zellner, along with the Midwest Innocence Project Legal Director and local attorney, Tricia Bushnell are taking on the Avery case.
Zellner has achieved an impressive record of seventeen exculpations, and from what we amateurs saw watching the sideshow that was Avery’s trial (never mind what that juror told Ricciardi and Demos) Zellner won’t have much trouble changing that number to eighteen. Mind you, I have no idea who did kill Teresa Halbach and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t creeped out by the man or the things he’s said to have done. But, nobody who watched Making a Murderer can say Avery was properly prosecuted or got a fair trial, and if nothing else, this new team may be able to right that wrong. Hopefully, while they’re at it the murderer will be uncovered, because the Halbach family deserves the truth.
If you’re also wondering what’s going on with Avery’s nephew Brendan Dassey (who appeared to be coerced into making a false confession and accusations about his uncle), the now-25-year-old is awaiting federal Magistrate Judge William E. Duffin’s decision on a Habeas corpus petition made by Dassey’s new Northwestern University legal team.