Brendan Dassey is reportedly set to be released from prison. Photo / Netflix
Brendan Dassey is reportedly set to be released from prison. Photo / Netflix
Making a Murderer's Brendan Dassey is reportedly set to be released from prison today.
Dassey, now 26, was serving a life sentence for the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach, The Sun reports.
In August a judge ordered his release ruling his constitutional rights being violated during and in the leadup to his nine-day trial.
Judge William Duffin explained police had made false promises to Brendan. When taken into account along with this learning difficulties and age, the judge found they meant his confession was "involuntary".
But in September the decision was cast in doubt as prosecutors launched an appeal.
However, a judge has now reportedly ordered Dassey's release and his lawyer confirmed he is set to be released today pending the appeal.
A picture of the sensational ruling from magistrate William E. Duffin has been tweeted by TMJ4 reporter Steve Chamraz.
It states that Dassey should be freed from jail as long as he undergoes drug testing and agrees not to contact the family of Teresa or co-defendant Steven Avery.
Steven Avery from Making a Murderer. Photo / Netflix
Dassey's lawyer Kathleen Zellner tweeted: "Great news Brendan Dassey to be released pending appeal.
"With the Avery family right now. Brendan Dassey to be released today."
The 26-year-old was convicted of first-degree international homicide, second-degree sexual assault and mutilation of a corpse after a trial in 2007.
Photographer Teresa's charred remains were discovered on the grounds of the Avery property on November 10, 2005 - seven days after being reported missing.
Her car was discovered too, resulting in Steven being charged with her murder, mutilation of a corpse, and illegal possession of a firearm.
Making A Murderer. Photo / Netflix
His legal team maintain his innocence, claiming the evidence was planted.
Their argument is that the police department was angry over a lawsuit Steven had filed relating to his previous wrongful conviction.
Brendan was Steven's alibi, and so he was questioned.
Many of the doubts about his conviction stem from the way he was interrogated, which featured on Making a Murderer.
Then 16, he was interrogated several times over two days - at his school, the police station and at the family's lodge.
Brendan Dassey in his police confession video. Photo / Netflix
Brendan didn't have a lawyer, parent or responsible adult with him, and a technique developed to put pressure on suspects was used.
The teenager eventually confessed to being a co-conspirator in the rape and murder, but he later recanted that. He claimed detectives kept asking him the same thing until he said what they wanted to hear.
His legal team have pointed out that there isn't any DNA evidence putting him at the scene.
It's also been argued that his description of the murder couldn't be what happened as it would have involved Teresa's blood being spilt, and none was found where Brendan claimed it took place.
Part of the evidence against him came from his cousin Kayla, who told a school counsellor Steven had asked one of her cousins to help move a body.
This was all included in the documentary, which sparked questions about coercion.
Also featured was footage of Brendan's first lawyer Mike O'Kelly, who was eventually removed from the case on the request of Brendan's mother Barb.
Some of Mike's techniques were called into question by the documentary, including his request that Brendan sign a form stating he was sorry for his actions. This can be seen as admission of guilt in court.
Brendan's trial was also shown on the documentary.
He was tried as an adult even though he had learning problems, and was handed his sentence aged 17 years and six months.
Making a Murderer brought Brendan's case into the public eye, with many speaking out to condemn his conviction.
