Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Brendan Dassey, is escorted out of a Manitowoc County Circuit courtroom. (March 2006) Morry Gash/PA Images

Making a Murderer's Brendan Dassey is about to be freed

His conviction was overturned over the summer.

BRENDAN DASSEY IS SET to be released from prison pending an appeal, according to his lawyer.

Solicitor Kathleen Zellner says, however, that the Wisconsin Attorney General is preparing a motion to prevent his release, despite his conviction being overturned in August.

After the conviction was overturned, prosecutors had 90 days with which to submit an appeal. Dassey will now be released pending that appeal.

Dassey was featured along with his uncle in the Netflix documentary series Making a Murderer. He and his uncle Steven Avery were sentenced to life terms for the murder of a woman in 2005.

Their story was featured in the Netflix documentary series, prompting many to believe that they were improperly convicted.

In August, the judge strongly worded rebukes of the investigating police and of Leonard Kachinsky, the public defender appointed in 2006 to represent Dassey — a 16-year-old minor at the time.

US Magistrate Judge William Duffin referred to Kachinsky’s representation as misconduct that was “indefensible.” He also said police investigators acted inappropriately toward Dassey.

Following release of the Netflix series, fans called for the two men to be freed and almost 130,000 people signed a White House petition asking for a presidential pardon.

The documentary was prompted by the unusual story of Avery, who remains in prison serving a life sentence.

He was exonerated of a rape case through DNA evidence and freed from prison in 2003 after serving 18 years behind bars.

Two years later, while he was suing Manitowoc County in Wisconsin over wrongful imprisonment, he was arrested over the death of 25-year-old photographer Teresa Halbach.

Dassey was also charged with Halbach’s murder and sentenced to life in prison.

© – AFP 2016 with reporting by Rónán Duffy

Read: Steven Avery of ‘Making A Murderer’ to claim DNA evidence was planted in initial trial >

Read: Explainer: What happens next to Brendan Dassey of Making A Murderer? >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
19 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute fiachra29
    Favourite fiachra29
    Report
    Nov 14th 2016, 9:46 PM

    It’s frightening how easily they threw this lad in jail without any evidence and what was obviously a false confession, makes you wonder how many other vulnerable people have been thrown into US jails without any documentary team to come to their rescue.

    384
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Norton
    Favourite Patrick Norton
    Report
    Nov 14th 2016, 9:45 PM

    He’ll be able to watch Monday night raw now.

    124
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aimoo
    Favourite Aimoo
    Report
    Nov 14th 2016, 9:57 PM

    Yeah from experiencing Monday night’s raw to watching it….

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Smith
    Favourite John Smith
    Report
    Nov 14th 2016, 9:55 PM

    Why did it take so long?

    104
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Burke
    Favourite Robert Burke
    Report
    Nov 14th 2016, 10:14 PM

    The Wisconsin prosecutor are appealing the release order. The judge who made the decision in the summer ordered his release pending further court developments. He’s not in the clear yet.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Culligan
    Favourite Paul Culligan
    Report
    Nov 14th 2016, 10:44 PM

    Netflix should secure the rights to film the court prosecution of the State’s police force. Now thats something I’d make a barrel of popcorn for.

    99
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gold3n
    Favourite gold3n
    Report
    Nov 14th 2016, 9:43 PM

    Great

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Craig Ferguson
    Favourite Craig Ferguson
    Report
    Nov 14th 2016, 9:50 PM

    He’s got alot of WrestleMania’s to watch

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tommy Doran
    Favourite Tommy Doran
    Report
    Nov 14th 2016, 10:27 PM

    This kid should never of went to prison, it just looks like we need to get someone and put them away.

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emer Caffrey
    Favourite Emer Caffrey
    Report
    Nov 14th 2016, 11:51 PM

    next step civil damages

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Sadlier
    Favourite John Sadlier
    Report
    Nov 15th 2016, 12:04 AM

    Hide your cats

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute EoinM
    Favourite EoinM
    Report
    Nov 15th 2016, 3:37 PM

    That was his uncle. But keep trying, you never know one day you might be funny.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonathan Sadlier
    Favourite Jonathan Sadlier
    Report
    Nov 15th 2016, 3:46 PM

    @EoinM:
    ‘I don’t want your advice or your praise or to move in the ways you do, and I never will..’

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kieran Stafford
    Favourite Kieran Stafford
    Report
    Nov 14th 2016, 9:58 PM

    Imagine the first conversation with his mother when he gets out Him “yea” Mother “yea” Him “yea” Mother “yeeaaa”

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Wilson
    Favourite Daniel Wilson
    Report
    Nov 14th 2016, 10:16 PM

    Buddy you’re 12 mins too late for that train

    148
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kieran Stafford
    Favourite Kieran Stafford
    Report
    Nov 14th 2016, 10:29 PM

    Yea

    128
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frederick Burden
    Favourite Frederick Burden
    Report
    Nov 14th 2016, 10:34 PM

    Well done Donald.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Saoirse Sparkes
    Favourite Saoirse Sparkes
    Report
    Nov 15th 2016, 11:22 AM

    Just started watching the series last night. #spoileralert

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gráinne Uí Dhuinn
    Favourite Gráinne Uí Dhuinn
    Report
    Nov 16th 2016, 1:24 AM

    Police Officer: Brendan did you kill Harambe Brendam: I was in Jail.. Police Officer: You used the black gun to kill Harambe. What colour was the gun Brendan? Brendan Black Police Officer: I think we’re done here

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds