'Making a Murderer': What's Happened to Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey Since the Series Premiered?

For a couple of guys who are cooling their heels in prison, Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey sure have been busy.

Since the December premiere of the Netflix documentary series “Making a Murderer,” which detailed the murder trials of Avery and Dassey in the death of photographer Teresa Halbach, interest in the two has skyrocketed, as have the developments in their cases.

Here’s what Avery and his nephew have been up to since the “Making a Murderer” premiere.

Also Read: 'Making a Murderer': 8 Alternate Theories on Who Killed Teresa Halbach (Photos)

1. Brendan Dassey switched prisons
As reported by TMZ in January, Dassey was transferred from Green Bay Correctional Facility to the maximum-security Columbia Correctional Facility, in part because of the attention he’s gained from the series.

2. Steven Avery retained new lawyers
Also in January, Avery got a new legal team. Chicago-area attorney Kathleen Zellner, who specializes in wrongful convictions, has taken up Avery’s case, as has Tricia Bushnell of the Midwest Innocence Project. Zellner has cited “new evidence” that she believes will exonerate Avery.

3. Avery files new appeal papers
While Avery has exhausted his appeals options, he filed new appeal papers in January, asking that his murder conviction be tossed out. Among other things, Avery claimed that a search warrant was improperly executed, and that evidence seized as the result of the warrant is “fruit of the poisonous tree.”

Also Read: 'Making a Murderer': Who Should Star in the Inevitable Movie? (Photos)

4. Brendan Dassey becomes the subject of sexual abuse speculation
In February, one of the reporters who covered the “Making a Murderer” trial revealed that Dassey had claimed Avery had inappropriately touched him, but everyone involved in the case — including police, lawyers and the filmmakers — ignored the statements. Subsequently, it was revealed that Dassey denied being sexually assaulted by Avery during a 2006 psychological evaluation.

Investigation Discovery

5. Avery apologized to his brothers for implicating them in Halbach’s death
After suggesting that his brothers Earl and Chuck might have had something to do with Halbach’s death, he made amends, according to one of the accused siblings. In an interview in February, Earl Avery said that his brother had recently apologized for the suggestion, saying he had made it on the advice of his lawyers.

6. Avery was branded a “flight risk
Wisconsin attorney general Thomas Fallon definitely isn’t among those who’ve been convinced of Avery’s innocence by “Making a Murderer.” In January, Fallon wrote a letter to Judge Angela Sutkiewicz saying that Avery shouldn’t be released, as he represents a flight risk and “has nothing left to lose.”

Also Read: 'Making a Murderer': New Lawyer to Use 'Advanced Luminol Testing to Exonerate' Steven Avery

7. Avery declared that “the real killer” is still out there
In late January, Avery penned a lengthy letter from prison declaring his innocence and saying the guilty have still not been brought to justice.

“The real killer is still out there,” Avery wrote. “Who is he stalking now? I am really innocent of this case and that is the truth!!! The truth will set me free!!!!!!!”

The three-page letter also took aim at his former fiancee Jodi Stachowski, who said she believed he is guilty and claimed to have been abused by him.

“How much money Jodi get to talk bad! The state $,” Avery wrote.

'Making a Murderer': Who Should Star in the Inevitable Movie? (Photos)

PILOU ASBAEK AS STEVEN AVERY

The "Game of Thrones" actor's beard is a perfect fit for the role of Steven Avery. While he hasn't played a Wisconsinite before -- if he can adopt a "GOT" accent, he can do anything.
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PAUL DANO AS BRENDAN DASSEY

The "Love and Mercy" actor, while 15 years older than Dassey was around the time of Teresa Halbach's murder, is our pick to play Avery's nephew. In "Prisoners," Dano plays a suspected kidnapper with a similarly low IQ, giving him a leg up on the role.
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KYLE CHANDLER AS DEAN STRANG

If Chandler borrows Stephen Colbert’s glasses, he'll be perfect for the role of Avery’s defense lawyer. Chandler’s reputation for playing morally upright men (“Friday Night Lights”, “Wolf of Wall Street”) would serve him well in portraying one of the few principals in the show who were actually interested in serving justice.
Netflix/Getty
DAVID HYDE PIERCE AS JERRY BUTING

Let's state the obvious -- this casting is perfect. Everything from the glasses to the square chin is similar between Avery's other attorney and the longtime "Frasier" actor.
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JOHN GOODMAN AS ALLAN AVERY

Every time the show depicts the impact of Steven and Brendan’s ordeal on the Avery family, Allan’s will to do whatever it takes to see his son freed steals the show. Goodman sells the role of Avery patriarch on outward appearances, but it's his talent that would punch home the father's duty to his family.
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KATHY BATES AS DOLORES AVERY

Kathy Bates just played a doting mother in the latest season of "American Horror Story," so she would be the perfect fit for the role of Steven's mom, who stayed ever by his side, and for whom we all felt sorry throughout the series.
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ERIC STONESTREET AS KEN KRATZ

It may seem harsh to cast the hilarious Eric Stonestreet as prosecutor Ken Kratz, but the actor has proven he can take on series roles, like his turns in "American Horror Story" and "The Loft."
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TONYA HARDING AS BARB JANDA

OK, we’re kind of cheating a little here, but you have to admit the resemblance is spot-on. There’s no doubt Harding has known something of a hard life, and she may surprise us all with a gritty portrayal of a mother fighting for her son’s freedom. Hey, if Ronda Rousey can play Patrick Swayze...
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RASHIDA JONES AS ANGENETTE LEVY

Many fans have taken to social media to point out the physical similarities between reporter Angenette Levy, who asked "the tough questions," and the former "Parks and Recreation" star.
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MIKE MYERS AS LT. ANDREW COLBORN

It would require from Myers the most subdued performance of his career, but a grave role like that of the Manitowoc cop accused of planting evidence could mark a surprise second act for the comedian as a serious actor. Either way, he can practically coast on the resemblance that a cropped haircut would give him.
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WILLIAM H. MACY AS LEN KACHINSKY

Brendan Dassey’s well-meaning (supposedly) yet ineffectual lawyer was found to have colluded with the prosecution to get his client to confess in return for a lighter sentence. Macy could channel his bumbling Jerry Lundegaard from “Fargo” into the portrayal man who is capable of much more harm than he realizes.
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ELISABETH MOSS AS TERESA HALBACH

The role of the tragic murder victim in the case may be a small one for a big name star, but the character would no doubt pop up continually in flashbacks to drive the emotional story forward (think “Twin Peaks").
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MITCH PILEGGI AS JAMES LENK

Best remembered for playing the tough but fair FBI Director Skinner on "The X-Files," Pileggi could essentially turn that image on its head as Lenk: a seemingly unscrupulous police lieutenant who is viewed as one of the main figures in a conspiracy by the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Department to frame Avery and Dassey.
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GARY SINISE AS DET. TOM FASSBENDER

Sinise has a lot of experience playing an investigator (“CSI: NY,” “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders”), and remember: he was the man who kidnapped Mel Gibson’s son in “Ransom.” So playing a devious detective who practically tricks a teenager into confessing should be right in his wheelhouse.
Netflix/Getty Images

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'Making a Murderer': Who Should Star in the Inevitable Movie? (Photos)

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