Steven Avery has made amends with his brother Earl, and has even apologized for implicating him in the murder of Teresa Halbach, Earl Avery tells Access Hollywood.
Earl Avery told reporter Stephanie Bauer that he hasn’t seen his older brother in a decade, but in a conversation last week, Steven — the subject of the Netflix documentary series “Making a Murderer” — offered his apologies for suggesting that Earl and their brother Chuck might have been involved in Halbach’s murder, for which Avery was convicted and is currently serving a life sentence.
“I guess blood is blood and you can’t change that. Life is too short,” Earl Avery said, adding that his brother told him that he made the claim under the advice of his lawyers.
Earl Avery also leveled a claim that could have implications for his brother’s ongoing bid to claim his innocence. According to Earl, on the night of Oct. 31, 2005 — the date of Halbach’s murder — he drove through the area where her car was eventually located, and there was no sign of it.
Earl, along with his father Allan Avery, also said that Steven was “acting normal” on the night of Halbach’s death.
Since “Making a Murderer” premiered in December, Avery’s guilt has been called into question by a nation of armchair sleuths, many of whom signed online petitions calling for his pardon. Those efforts were unsuccessful, though Avery has retained a new attorney, Kathleen Zellner, who specializes in wrongful convictions and claims that “new evidence” has been unearthed.
'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.
