The Netflix show Making a Murderer was hugely successful, and has made armchair lawyers out of a lot of people. The show focused on two men from Wisconsin, one of whom was initially accused of rape. The show highlighted the case, and left many viewers with the belief that the prosecution trumped up the facts in order to get a rape conviction. A conviction, for those of you that have not seen the series, which was found to be wrongful. This sounds like a good result, right? Well in most cases it would be, but while the defendant, Steven A. Avery, was out of jail he was arrested again and this time the charge was murder. Avery’s nephew, Brendan Dassey, was also charged in the murder case.
The murder convictions were the subject of the show, and in the time that passed since it initially aired, Dassey’s conviction has been overturned. But the story is once again making headlines, with a second season potentially in the works. Before that happens, here are four quick facts about Making a Murderer:
- The investigator in charge of the case has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Claims evidence was planted have been denied, as well as any questioning of the defendants. If this sounds familiar, it might be because another famous case made claims of evidence planting, and it worked: the case of O.J. Simpson.
- Dassey’s attorney appeared underprepared in the series, which could be a contributing factor to the conviction. This “fact” makes it clear how important it is to have the right defense counsel by your side, regardless of the severity of charges.
- Your actions outside the courtroom can come back to haunt you during a case against you, in this case it was well-known that Avery was prone to violence against women. In a case for murder, this is just the type of character evidence the defense would seek to keep out of court. In other cases, like a DUI, it is a good idea to prevent evidence of prior alcohol abuse or photos on the internet from the night in question from being let in Court.
- What you say can be used against you: they say Dassey gave information that only someone at the crime scene would know. This is the classic example of knowing when to keep quiet vs. providing information when questioned. It is always best to zip your lips rather than give details that may link you to wrongdoing.
If you have been arrested and don’t know where to turn, call our office for help. We represent people charged with various types of crimes; ranging from DUI, to drug possession, and even reckless driving. Our team understands the stress you are under, and will work with you to develop a defense strategy that fits the facts of your case.
For more information about criminal defense, call us today to schedule an appointment. One of our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Stuart and the Treasure Coast is here to help you and your first visit is a free initial consultation.