People just can’t get enough of Steven Avery these days.
On the heels of the highly popular Netflix documentary series “Making a Murderer,” tonight’s “Dateline” special will offer new look at the Avery case. Executive producer Liz Cole told TheWrap that people are so fascinated with the Avery case “for the same reason why they tune into ‘Dateline.'”
“These stories deal with fundamental issues of right and wrong, good and bad. It’s ultimately about the search for justice,” Cole said. “People also like to play armchair detective.”
“The State of Wisconsin vs. Steven A. Avery” airs tonight at 10 p.m. ET on NBC. The special includes a rare 2005 interview with Penny Beerntsen, the victim of the sexual assault case for which Avery was wrongfully convicted.
Cole insisted she didn’t just binge-watch the Netflix series and decide to slap together a special. “Dateline” has spent two hours covering the Avery trial in the past, with episodes airing in 2006 and 2007.
“The last time we did one, he [Avery] had just been convicted,” Cole said. “It got back on our radar in a big way when the documentary got so much attention.”
“Dateline” will also feature new interviews with key players in the trials of Avery and his nephew, Brendan Dassey, for the murder of photographer Teresa Halbach. Cole also says there is “quite a bit” that people can learn, even if they’ve already spent 10 hours watching the Netflix series.
Andrea Canning has an in-depth interview with Ken Kratz, who responded to questions raised by the documentary.
“People who watched the documentary [‘Making a Murderer’] will be very interested in what he has to say,” Cole said.
And for those who haven’t caught up to the Netflix docu-series, fear not. “We tell the story from beginning to end, Cole said, “and we were really mindful that many of our regular viewers may not have seen the documentary.”
'Making a Murderer': 9 Updates in Steven Avery's Case Since the Premiere (Photos)
Ken Kratz, who prosecuted Steven Avery, sent TheWrap a nine-point list that he said indicated Avery's guilt, including his claim that Avery "targeted" victim Teresa Halbach.
A White House petition calling for Avery's pardon reached 100,000 signatures, the threshold qualifying it for a White House review. However, the possibility of a presidential pardon was quickly shot down, as the president is constitutionally barred from pardoning convicts in state cases.
A 2009 court filing emerged with a bombshell accusation by Avery -- that his brothers Charles and Earl Avery may have killed Halbach.
Avery has retained a new attorney, Kathleen Zellner, who specializes in wrongful convictions. In a statement obtained by TheWrap, Zellner cited "new evidence" in the case and says that she's "confident Mr. Avery’s conviction will be vacated."
Avery filed a new appeal, claiming that a juror tainted his jury by repeatedly claiming that Avery is "fucking guilty." Avery also asserts that he received "inadequate assistance" from his trial and appellate lawyers.
Attorney Len Kachinsky, whose representation of Avery's nephew Brendan Dassey drew heavy criticism from "Making a Murderer" viewers, told TheWrap that he's "not responsible for Dassey going to prison," adding, "You can say I made a mistake, that I should’ve [attended] or I should have rescheduled the interview — that’s valid criticism.”
Dean Strang, one of Avery's defense attorneys, told TheWrap that a "mass" of potential new evidence has emerged since the premiere of "Making a Murderer."
"Making a Murderer" filmmakers Moira Demos and Laura Ricciardi appeared on the "Late Show With Stephen Colbert" to assert that Avery is "not guilty," with Demos opining, "I mean there are things that he could be guilty, but is he guilty beyond a reasonable doubt? Nothing I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a lot of stuff, nothing I’ve seen has convinced me of that.”
The "Making a Murderer" filmmakers also said that one of the jurors in the Avery trial has come forward to say they believe he is innocent.
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From new evidence to fresh appeals, where his case stands now
Ken Kratz, who prosecuted Steven Avery, sent TheWrap a nine-point list that he said indicated Avery's guilt, including his claim that Avery "targeted" victim Teresa Halbach.
