(CHICAGO, ILL)–A federal appeals court in Chicago heard arguments on Tuesday this week in a cast that could release Brendan Dassey from Prison. A full panel of judges with the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing an earlier decision by a federal magistrate, who ruled last ear Dassey’s confession to the 2005 murder of photographer Teresa Halback was coerced. That decision was upheld earlier this year by a three judge panel, which prompted a request for a full review by the court. Dassey, along with his uncle Steven Avery, are serving life sentences for Halbach’s murder. Dassey’s confession was a key part of the evidence used to convict him for his role in the murder. The case has received new attention in recent years, following the release of “Making a Murderer,” a Netflix series about the trial. Dassey’s lawyer, Laura Nirider, focused on the promises investigators made to the then 16-year old, the “truth would set him free.” She argued the idiom was something that Dassey, who has a low IQ, could not understand and the promise resulted in him offering a confession.
(Aaron Harper,WJNR,WOBE,WHTO)
aaronharper22@gmail.com