Almost a year after Netflix docu-series Making a Murderer premiered, nephew of Steven Avery, Brendan Dassey, is set to be released from prison.
Dassey, now 27, was convicted of being party to first-degree murder, mutilation of a corpse and second-degree sexual assault of local photographer Teresa Halbach in 2005. He was brought into custody after confessing to Manitowoc County police that he helped his uncle, Avery, carry out the crime, and was imprisoned in 2007.
Shortly after, the then-teenager recanted his confession, saying the intensive interrogation process made him confused.
Local news reports announced the sensational decision of US Magistrate Judge William Duffin on Monday to release Dassey, who was serving a life sentence for his involvement in the crime.
His release is contingent upon Dassey meeting a range of conditions, including that he not contact his uncle or Teresa Halbach’s family.
Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel released a statement Monday, stating that the prosecution intends to file an emergency motion to stop Dassey’s release, which could happen as early as Tuesday morning.
Dassey’s lawyer, high-profile wrongful conviction attorney Kathleen Zellner, tweeted the news to fans, confirming that an emergency motion had been filed.