‘Making a Murderer’ DA Ken Kratz Is Writing a Tell-All Book ‘Proving Steven Avery’s Guilt’

Lawyer tells TheWrap he’s “honored to share a portion of the proceeds of this book honoring the memory of Teresa Halbach”

ken kratz making a murderer
Netflix

“Making a Murderer” lawyer Ken Kratz is writing a tell-all book about his involvement in the case, and told TheWrap on Monday he hopes it proves Steven Avery’s guilt.

“I believe somebody needs to stand up for the cops, the courts, and the victim by telling the truth and setting forth the vast amount of evidence proving Avery’s guilt beyond a shadow of a doubt,” said the former Wisconsin district attorney who prosecuted Avery and his nephew, Brendan Dassey.

Kratz added: “I’m honored to share a portion of the proceeds of this book honoring the memory of Teresa Halbach.”

Halbach, a photographer, was murdered in 2005. Both Avery and Dassey were found guilty of the crime, and are currently in prison. The case was made famous by Netflix documentary “Making a Murderer.”

“Although I will still represent my current clients in my private law firm, I am dedicating the next 4 months to writing this book, which should be published in Fall 2016,” he said in an email to us.

“Making a Murderer” raised red flags about local Wisconsin law enforcement practices, leading some to feel strongly that Avery and his nephew Dassey were potentially even framed by the cops.

Kratz was one of the main characters in the 10-episode true crime series, and obviously a key competent in putting the defendants behind bars. But since the case, professional life has been up and down for the former DA.

After the convictions, Kratz was caught sending sexual text messages to a victim in another case that he was prosecuting. When confronted, Kratz resigned as special prosecutor.

Then, in 2014, Kratz’s law license was suspended for four months. The lawyer admitted to abusing prescription drugs and being treated for sexual addiction and narcissistic personality disorder. Kratz currently runs a private practice.

Here’s the statement Kratz emailed TheWrap about the book, in its entirety:

Motivation for writing book: as the lead prosecutor in the Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey cases, I directed the investigation and trial of 2 men accused of raping, murdering, and mutilating 25 yr old Teresa Halbach. At the Avery trial, the defense suggested a far-reaching conspiracy and planted evidence led to his prosecution, similar to the allegations presented in the Netflix documentary series, “Making a Murderer.” I was able to meet the planting defense at trial with direct evidence, convincing the jury the conspiracy theory was nonsense. Unlike the trial, however, the documentary gave the prosecution no real opportunity to rebut the incendiary claims of police and DA corruption, and the viewers are left to believe an unconscionable miscarriage of justice has occurred.

The validity of the conviction is being challenged. The reputations of law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and others in the criminal justice process are being trashed. The overall trustworthiness of the justice system is under attack. I believe somebody needs to stand up for the cops, the courts, and the victim by telling the truth and setting forth the vast amount of evidence proving Avery’s guilt beyond a shadow of a doubt. The filmmakers intentionally omitted key evidence which led to the movie’s conclusion…my book will set the record straight.

What to Achieve by writing a book: I want to bring a three dimensional view of this murder mystery to life. I want people focussed on the one and only true victim of this crime, Teresa Halbach, and not the perpetrators. I want people to understand that, contrary to the thesis of the documentary, our criminal justice system does work. And of course, in the process, I hope to restore my professional reputation.

Although I will still represent my current clients in my private law firm, I am dedicating the next 4 months to writing this book, which should be published in Fall 2016.

Im honored to share a portion of the proceeds of this book honoring the memory of Teresa Halbach.

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