MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A letter claiming to be signed on behalf of convicted murderer Steven Avery expresses frustration at the lack of a decision in his most recent motion for a new trial.
Avery is serving a life sentence for freelance photographer Teresa Halbach’s 2005 murder. Avery’s nephew Brendan Dassey was also convicted. Their cases received worldwide attention with the 2015 release of the Netflix series “Making A Murderer.”
In Avery’s most recent post-conviction motion brief — filed in late January — attorney Kathleen Zellner places the blame for the murder on another witness at the trial. She has requested an evidentiary hearing so that the court can hear from an eye witness who says they saw this alternate suspect with Halbach’s vehicle, which Zellner claims was then used to plant evidence against Avery. Prosecutors have opposed the request. An addendum to the motion, filed last week, offers another witness for the claim. Prosecutors have not replied to the addendum.
The letter, filed this week in Manitowoc County, introduces itself as being “sent on behalf of Steven Avery, a twice wrongfully incarcerated Wisconsin man who has had his life stolen from him.”
It is addressed to the Manitowoc County Clerk of Courts. Sheboygan County Judge Angela Sutkiewicz is currently assigned to the case.
The letter cites state law, arguing a decision on the motion must be filed within 90 days, or another judge should be assigned to the case.
“The 90-day period has now lapsed — where then is the certification and notification as prescribed above? Has the judge been disabled by sickness? Has the judge failed to comply with these requirements? If so, what remedial measures have been recommended? Respectfully on behalf of Steven Avery and his supporters across the world,” the letter states.
It asks for a reply to be sent to Avery at the Fox Lake Correctional Institution. It is not signed by any individuals, and does not have a return address.
No responses to the letter have been filed, according to court records.
The letter does not mention Avery’s attorney.
Dassey has no appeals pending — his latest appeal was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018.
