‘Making A Murderer’ Subject Brendan Dassey Is Being Released From Prison

Brendan Dassey, who was found guilty in 2007 on three charges stemming from the death of Teresa Halbach, including first-degree homicide and mutilation of a corpse, is being released from the prison. The subject of Making a Murderer — Netflix’s true-crime documentary series that chronicled the trials of Dassey and his uncle, Steven Avery — had his charges overturned in August after a federal judge found that investigators “made false promises to Dassey, who was 16 years old and a slow learner, in extracting a confession, which Dassey’s legal team had maintained was coerced.” The state of Wisconsin had 90 days to free him — today, the judge ordered, “It is therefore ordered that Dassey’s motion for release…is granted.”

The district court judge outlined several conditions for Dassey’s release, including that he can only travel in the court’s Eastern District of Wisconsin, not obtain a passport, not possess a gun or any other weapons, or possess any controlled substances. Dassey also has been ordered not to have any contact with Steven Avery, or with the family of Teresa Halbach. (Via)

Following the ruling, the Wisconsin Department of Justice released the following statement: “Today, U.S. Magistrate Judge William Duffin granted a motion for release in the Brendan Dassey case. Attorney General Brad Schimel intends to file an emergency motion in the Seventh Circuit seeking a stay of this release order.” Dassey was serving a life sentence with eligibility for parole in 2048.