Netflix documentary that focuses on Steven Avery now the talk of network TV as jurors come forward
MANITOWOC -- The creators of the Netflix documentary "Making A Murderer" have a hit -- as the 10-part series continues to generate buzz here in Wisconsin and across the country. The documentary focuses on Steven Avery, a Manitowoc man who served 18 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. He is currently serving a life sentence for the death of a young photographer.
More than 300,000 people have signed a Change.org petition calling for Avery's release.
The series is being talked about on network television, in newspapers and online.
Netflix "Making A Murderer"
The Netflix documentary highlights the case against Avery and his nephew, Brendan Dassey, who was also convicted in the murder of Teresa Halbach -- a young photographer for Auto Trader magazine.
Steven Avery
Avery is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Dassey was sentenced to life in prison with a chance for parole in 2048.
Filmmakers Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos put together "Making a Murderer" over a decade.
"Making a Murderer" recounts the trials for Avery and Dassey, and raises numerous questions about possible police and prosecutorial misconduct. Avery's defense attorneys argued that Avery could have been framed for Halbach's murder. At the time of Halbach's death, Avery was suing Manitowoc County for compensation due to his wrongful conviction in a 1985 rape case. The conviction was overturned in 2003.
Brendan Dassey
On Tuesday night, January 5th, FOX News Channel's Megyn Kelly asked the question many are asking after watching the Netflix series.
Megyn Kelly: "Did they do it, or was Steve Avery, in particular, set up because he was pursuing a major judgment over a wrongful conviction of a rape charge -- which he served nearly 20 years wrongfully behind bars?"
Those who say Avery is guilty, and that he wasn't framed say the Netflix documentary is one-sided. They point to evidence left out of the documentary that proves Avery is guilty.
Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey
Harvey Levin (TMZ): "Suddenly a key appears in plain view in this guy's bedroom. And it's like where did this key come from?"
Ken Kratz, former Calumet County district attorney
"What you didn't get to hear was all of the explanation for that key. You didn't get to see how it fell out of the back of this cabinet that was there," Ken Kratz, former Calumet County district attorney and the prosecutor in the Avery/Dassey cases said.
FOX News Channel's Megyn Kelly also spoke with Dean Strang, Avery's defense attorney.
Megyn Kelly: "Teresa's bones in the fire pit outside the trailer. How do you explain the bones being there?"
"They were moved there. The body was not burned there," Strang said.
Dean Strang on FOX News Channel
It appears this case is being retried in the court of public opinion as the buzz over the Netflix documentary continues.
The series was released on December 18th.
This week, jurors in the case have begun to come forward, and they are being scrutinized.
A member of the jury that declared Avery guilty said they believe Avery was not guilty -- but the juror said they were afraid to say so at the time, the filmmakers said on Tuesday, January 5th.
The unnamed juror reached out to the filmmakers shortly before the series debuted in December and followed up again after watching the ten episodes, the filmmakers said.
Steven Avery and Teresa Halbach
As for a possible pardon for Avery, the Change.org petition addresses President Barack Obama and Governor Scott Walker. On Tuesday, the governor said he wasn't going to intervene.
"Just because a documentary on TV says something doesn't mean that's actually what the evidence shows. The bottom line is that there was a crime that was committed a decade ago," he told CNN affiliate WQOW of Eau Claire. "There is a system ... by which individuals can petition the courts to get relief like others have done in the past that shows that someone might actually be innocent. But I am not going to override a system that is already put in place."
Because Avery's case is not a federal one, the president cannot pardon him.
Ken Kratz said on TMZ earlier this week the only way Avery will get a new trial is IF new evidence presents itself in this case.
As for Dassey, there is currently a federal habeas petition alleging that Dassey's constitutional rights were violated and it requests that his conviction be vacated.
Manitowoc County
Just below, you can watch the segment on FOX News Channel's Kelly File featuring Avery/Dassey prosecutor Ken Kratz, and Avery defense attorney Dean Strang: