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Federal Judge Overturns Brendan Dassey Conviction, Orders Freedom for Avery Nephew

A federal judge in Milwaukee on Friday overturned the conviction of Brendan Dassey, the nephew of Steven Avery, in a case profiled in the popular Netflix documentary "Making a Murderer."  Judge William Duffin ordered that Dassey be freed within 90 days unless the case is appealed.  

Dassey was 16 when he confessed to helping Avery rape and kill Theresa Halbach in 2005, when Halbach went to the Avery family salvage yard in Mishicot to photograph some vehicles.  But, attorneys argued the confession was coerced.

Judge Duffin said in his ruling that investigators made false promises to Dassey during their questioning, assuring him he had "nothing to worry about."

The judge said the "repeated false promises, when considered in conjunction with all relevant factors, most especially Dassey's age and intellectual deficits, rendered Dassey's confession involuntary" under the U.S. Constitution.

Marti was a reporter with WUWM from 1999 to 2021.
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