Back when Making a Murderer premiered on Netflix last December, we all became instantly enthralled in the story of Teresa Halbach’s tragic murder and the apparent, puzzling miscarriage of justice that happened when the State of Wisconsin tried Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey as her killers. And while Steven Avery’s conviction was certainly troubling, the conviction of his seventeen year-old nephew, Brendan Dassey bordered on tragic.
What we saw on the documentary was a young man who was frightened, confused, and had a lawyer who didn’t seem to be on his side at all. I don’t know about you, but I was practically screaming at my television when Dassey was ultimately convinced to confess to assisting in Halbach’s murder. From all appearances, it seemed that the justice system in Manitowoc County was not only convicting innocent men, but it was also manipulating and coercing highly damning confessions from minors. In short, it was infurating.
Mercifully, it seems as though Dassey will finally get the justice he deserves, as his conviction has officially been overturned. Mike Hayes, senior editor at BuzzFeed, tweeted out an image of an official court document that states Dassey must be released from prison within ninety days unless the State plans on appealing the court’s decision.
https://twitter.com/michaelhayes/status/764194578941501440
According to court documents, as reported by WISN, Making a Murderer viewers weren’t the only ones who found something fishy when it came to Dassey’s confession. The judge who ultimately overturned Dassey’s conviction echoed the sentiments of viewers that Dassey’s confession was coerced and his initial lawyer, Len Kachinsky, did not advocate for Dassey as a lawyer should.
So while Steven Avery is still actively fighting the courts to get his own conviction overturned, this is certainly encouraging for Brendan Dassey and his family. There is no word yet if the State plans to appeal the court’s decision, so things look pretty promising for Dassey for now. Hopefully the courts will get the right individuals in jail, and both the Avery and Halbach families can finally find peace.
What do you think of Dassey’s conviction being overturned? Do you think Brendan Dassey is innocent or guilty? Let us know your thoughts about this court decision in the comments!
Image: Netflix
