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‘Making a Murderer’ Subject Steven Avery Files Appeal Asking Judge to Toss Murder Conviction

Steven Avery
Steven AveryNetflix

Steven Avery, the subject of the controversial Netflix docuseries Making a Murderer, filed an appeal on Monday, January 11, asking a judge to toss his 2005 murder conviction for Teresa Halbach's death.

Multiple outlets, including TMZ, obtained a copy of the appeal, which was filed by Avery himself on Monday. In the docs, TMZ alleges that Avery claimed that one of the jurors on his case was tainted. He also claimed that the juror in question told the others that Avery was "f–king guilty."

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According to TMZ, Avery alleged that police had access to Halbach's car and planted evidence. He also reportedly claimed that his previous legal team was incompetent. As reported by Us Weekly on Friday, January 8, Avery fired his lawyer and got new legal representation to handle his conviction case. The law firm of Kathleen T. Zellner & Associates in Downer's Grove, Illinois, assisted by the Midwest Innocence Project's legal director Tricia Bushnell, are now working on his appeal.

Certain indicators on Netflix's wildly popular 10-episode docuseries point to the possibility that Avery may have been wrongfully convicted in the murder of Halbach. Avery has repeatedly maintained his innocence even after his arrest and conviction. He is currently serving a life sentence in prison, while his nephew, Brendan Dassey, is eligible for parole in 2048. 

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After the monumental success of Making a Murderer, multiple petitions called for President Obama to pardon the duo. However, the White House responded last Thursday, January 7, and said it does not have the authority to pardon state prisoners. Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, who does have the authority to do so, has already stated that he will not pardon the men.

The issue has been a hot-button topic across the Internet and even among celebrities. Last week, Donnie Wahlberg penned an op-ed for the Chicago Sun-Times and warned viewers to consider the full scope of what Making a Murderer presents in its episodes. He discussed his stance with HLN's Nancy Grace in a fiery showdown on Monday, January 11. 

Watch their debate in the video above.

 

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