It's been two-and-a-half years since we all got swept into Netflix's true crime documentary 'Making a Murderer' and the case still lingers on for Steven Avery and his nephew Brendan Dassey.
There was good news for Dassey last year when a Federal Court Judge ruled to overturn his conviction. The decision was affirmed by a three-judge panel from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but the full appeals court voted 4-3 to reverse the lower court’s decision to grant Dassey a new trial.
Dassey's lawyers then moved to have his case heard by the US Supreme Court however it has emerged today that this appeal was rejected and his conviction still stands.
Dassey, now 28, is currently serving his 12th year of a life sentence, after he confessed to helping his uncle Steven Avery murder Teresa Halbach on Halloween night in 2005. Dassey's appeal relied on evidence suggesting that his confession was coerced.
His lawyers can still try to get him a new trial but they’d have to convince a judge that newly discovered evidence warrants one.
Earlier today, Steven Avery's former lawyer Jerry Buting announced the Supreme Court's decision on Twitter:
SCOTUS DENIED review of Brendan’s case. Passed on a huge opportunity to improve justice, especially for juveniles. 😔
— Jerome Buting (@JButing) June 25, 2018
Disappointing as today’s decision is for American justice, Dassey has more options; don’t give up hope. Newly discovered evidence & Brady violations in SA case will apply to him. Truth will prevail. Best of all, he still has @SDrizin & @LauraNirider.#MakingAMurderer @ZellnerLaw
— Jerome Buting (@JButing) June 25, 2018
The events of the appeal will be covered in the second season of Netflix's 'Making a Murderer', which will follow Dassey, Avery and their investigative and legal teams.