Summary: Two attorneys have agreed to represent Steven Avery, the subject of Netflix’s hit documentary “Making a Murderer,” in his appeals case.
Steven Avery of “Making a Murderer” may get another chance of freedom. After an unsuccessful online petition went viral to free him, criminal appeal lawyer Kathleen T. Zellner is stepping in to defend him. Zellner’s firm will be assisted by Wisconsin-based Tricia Bushnell, the legal director of the Midwest Innocence Project.
Zellner shared the news on Twitter, and Mic reports she released a statement that the firm “is looking forward to adding Mr. Avery to its long list of wrongful conviction exonerations.”
Zellner’s website says that she “has righted more wrongful convictions than any private attorney in America.” Her firm is located in Downers Grove, Illinois, and she has over 20 years of practice. Her website states that she specializes in wrongful conviction, police brutality, false arrest, criminal appeals and DNA evidence.
With Zellner’s record and the overwhelming evidence that authorities didn’t handle Avery’s case fairly, Zellner was confident they would win.
“We are continuing to examine every aspect of Mr. Avery’s case and all of his legal options,” Zellner said in a statement. “We are confident Mr. Avery’s conviction will be vacated when we present the new evidence and results of our work to the appropriate court.”
Netflix’s “Making a Murderer” delves into the conviction of Steven Avery in the murder of Teresa Halbach. In 2003, Avery was released from prison after nearly two decades. He was falsely accused of rape, and DNA evidence proved his innocence. He was in the midst of filing a lawsuit against law enforcement and the city when he was arrested for the death of Halbach, who was a photographer who had been on his property taking pictures of his cars.
The documentary suggests that police of Manitowoc County planted evidence on Avery’s property, such as Halbach’s key and her blood.
The 10-part series has spurned a strong reaction from fans — ranging from those out for blood against Avery’s prosecutor Ken Kratz to those expressing their undying love for the sensitive defense attorney, Dean Strang.