Making a Murderer subject Steven Avery denied a new trial
Avery's lawyer Kathleen Zellner remains optimistic about the case
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Steven Avery — the subject of controversial Netflix documentary Making a Murderer — has been denied a new trial over the murder of Teresa Halbach.
Despite Avery’s new lawyer Kathleen Zellner being confident of the defendants innocence, using Twitter on numerous occasions to update the public on the case, the judge said there was insufficient evidence to warrant another trial.
“The defendant has failed to establish any grounds that would trigger the right to a new trial in the interests of justice,” ruled Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, Judge Angela Sutkiewicz.
"As such, no further consideration will be given to this issue.”
Zellner added in a statement to ABC News following the ruling: "We are filing an amended petition because we have additional test results and witness affidavits.
"The scientific testing is not completed. We remain optimistic that Mr Avery's conviction will be vacated.”
The ruling on Brendan Dassey, who was also convicted of the murder, was recently overturned, although the case will appear in an appeals court.
Dassey and Avery were originally convicted of murder on 31 October 2005. Over ten years later, the case was once again in the spotlight thanks to Making a Murderer, released on the 18 December 2015. A second season from directors/writers Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos is currently in the works.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments