‘Making a Murderer’ Star’s Sentence Overturned

A Milwaukee judge has overturned the conviction of Brendan Dassey, who was featured in the Netflix documentary series, “Making a Murderer.” The series followed the case of Dassey’s uncle, Steven Avery, who was freed for wrongful conviction after serving 18 years, only to be charged shortly thereafter with the murder of Teresa Halbach. Dassey confessed to helping Avery carry out the rape and killing of Halbach, but his attorneys argued that Dassey’s rights were routinely violated in the course of the investigation. U.S. Magistrate William Duffin said the decision to overturn Dassey’s life sentence was based on false promises investigators made to Dassey during questioning. “These repeated false promises, when considered in conjunction with all relevant factors, most especially Dassey’s age, intellectual deficits, and the absence of a supportive adult, rendered Dassey’s confession involuntary under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments,” Duffin wrote. Unless the state appeals the ruling, Dassey will be freed within 90 days.