Netflix’s hit series, Making a Murderer, is set to return with new episodes documenting what happened to Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey after the ruling that put them away for life. The continuation will showcase how both have dealt with the mental anguish following their alleged wrongful conviction.
“The new installments will take fans of the acclaimed documentary series back inside the story of convicted murderer Steven Avery, and his co-defendant, Brendan Dassey, as their respective investigative and legal teams challenge their convictions and the State fights to have the convictions and life sentences upheld,” Netflix stated in a press release Tuesday morning.
The first season of Making a Murderer followed Steven Avery’s life before and after the murder of Teresa Halbach, a photographer who came to the Avery property and went missing later in the evening. Brendan Dassey, Avery’s nephew, was convicted as an accomplice. Prior to Avery’s 2005 arrest for Halbach’s murder, he was wrongfully convicted of sexual assault and served 18 years in prison. The series’ tone suggested Dassey and Avery’s innocence, or at least sympathized with the possibility Avery could have been wrongfully convicted yet again. The series also suggested the murder could have been a set up by the Manitowoc County police, and Avery’s arrest was simply a way to cover their own asses.
Either way, fans criticized the series soon after its release for omitting hard evidence that may have swayed viewers to believe Avery was guiltier than portrayed, including the fact Halbach previously told her superior that Avery made her feel uncomfortable. Hopefully the second season will expand on Dassey’s story, specifically the police’s interrogation tactics used to coerce the mentally disabled teen into a confession.
According to Netflix, the series will focus more on the legal side of the case. Avery’s new lawyer, Kathleen Zellner, and Dassey’s defense team, Laura Nirider and Steve Drizin, will be a large part of the series. Zellner was granted a permission to re-open Avery’s case and present new evidence to the court -- most likely an advanced blood test to confirm if it was indeed Avery’s blood on Halbach’s car.
We’ll also get an inside look at how the Avery family has been coping with two of their family members behind bars. Netflix has not set a release date.
