Judge overturns Making a Murderer case

A US judge has overturned the murder conviction of Brendan Dassey, who featured in the Netflix documentary Making a Murderer.

In 2005 Dassey and his uncle Steven Avery were sentenced to life in prison for the murder of photographer Teresa Halbach. The case attracted international attention following the acclaimed Netflix series.

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

But a US judge has now ruled his confession was involuntary due to his low age, low IQ, and “inappropriate” conduct by investigators.

The defence team suggested police used “improper methods” and planted evidence against Dassey’s uncle

The judge’s order included 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.

He also said police investigators acted inappropriately toward Dassey.

Dassey is due to be released in 90 days unless prosecutors submit an appeal.

Making a Murderer filmmakers Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos said: “As we have done for the past 10 years, we will continue to document the story as it unfolds, and follow it wherever it may lead.”

Avery has filed a notice of appeal in his own case.