Making a Murderer subject Brendan Dassey seeks pardon over rape and murder conviction
Dassey received a life sentence at 17 years old
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Brendan Dassey, whose rape and murder conviction was documented in the 2015 Netflix series Making a Murderer, is seeking a pardon.
Dassey, who was 17 when he received a life prison sentence, sent a handwritten note to the governor of Wisconsin making the request.
Attorneys for Dassey said on Wednesday that they are petitioning Democratic governor Tony Evers for either a pardon or a commutation of their client’s life prison sentence.
The now-30-year-old Dassey was 16 when he told police that he and his uncle, Steve Avery, raped and murdered photographer Teresa Halbach in 2005 before burning her body.
His attorneys contend that Dassey is intellectually disabled and that police officers allegedly manipulated him into confessing.
Dassey says in his note to Governor Tony Evers that he should be pardoned because he’s innocent and wants to go home.
He says he enjoys Pokemon and hamburgers.
Dassey drew two hearts on the note with the word “hugs” in one and “love” in the other.
Attorney Laura Nirider says she hopes Evers takes a serious look at this case.
Evers has said that he will only consider pardons for people who have completed their prison sentences. He’s also ruled out commutations. Evers’ spokeswoman had no immediate comment on this specific case.
Outside of a pardon or a commutation, the earliest that Dassey could be released on parole is 2048.
Additional reporting by agencies