The following article contains spoilers for "Making a Murderer." If you have not completed the series and do not wish to know what happens, please do not read below.
The latest true crime sensation is Netflix’s acclaimed docuseries, Making a Murderer. The 10-part season explores the story of Steven Avery – a Wisconsin man who spent nearly 20 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Avery was eventually exonerated, only to end up back on trial a year later and ultimately sentenced to life in prison for the murder of young photographer Teresa Halbach.
Two of the primary (and beloved) characters in Making a Murderer are Avery’s lawyers, Dean Strang and Jerry Buting. The legal team fought in defense of Avery and seemed to get painstakingly close to proving his innocence, but ultimately couldn’t persuade the jury to set Avery free. Though the pair of lawyers have sporadically kept in contact with Avery over the years, they have both moved on to new ventures and Avery remains in prison, unable to afford legal fees for new attorneys. However, Netflix’s documentary has gone on to become a national phenomenon, and Making a Murderer can possibly have a direct impact on Steven Avery’s future.
A new legal team consisting of lawyers Kathleen Zellner and Tricia Bushnell have decided to represent Avery in his pursuit for justice. The attorneys made the announcement official on Twitter with a press release on Jan. 8. It appears Zellner is taking the lead with her law firm, Kathleen T. Zellner and Associates, with Bushnell - legal director of the Midwest Innocence Project - assisting with legal counsel. It’s unclear whether Avery managed to come up with the finances to hire Zellner and Bushnell (whether personally or by charity), or if the lawyers decided to represent Avery for free. Either way, the nation’s most controversial case may very well take new shape with fresh representation for Avery.
Steven Avery's new attorneys: Kathleen Zellner & Tricia Bushnell #MakingAMurderer
https://t.co/uRwQFQmMJU pic.twitter.com/VbtRsBNqzb
— Kathleen Zellner (@ZellnerLaw) January 8, 2016
Zellner has experience in similar situations, previously winning 16 exonerations for her clients. Last week she offered her own theory regarding Halbach’s murder, stating: “…whoever deleted Teresa Halbach(‘s) cellphone calls is either the murderer or part of (the) coverup. Either way, the killer is free.”
Whether Avery has a legitimate chance to win exoneration remains to be seen. The final episode of Making a Murderer indicated that Avery would likely need a new witness or evidence to surface in order for a judge to consider reopening the case. Though national petitions to the White House and Wisconsin governor Scott Walker have helped raise the case’s profile, ultimately new data will be necessary for Avery to walk away free. Stay tuned for updates.
