Making a Murderer included hours of footage documenting the murder of Teresa Halbach, the legal proceedings surrounding the case and the man who was ultimately convicted of the crime.

Season one of the Netflix docu-series incorporated recordings from Steven Avery's 2007 trial, weaving in the efforts of his original defence team Dean Strang and Jerry Buting. His nephew Brendan Dassey, who implicated himself by confession, also featured.

Steven Avery, Making a Murderer
Netflix

Related: 9 of the most shocking pieces of new evidence to come from Making a Murderer Part 2

Fast-forward 11 years, in terms of the case timeline, and season two introduced Avery's new attorney Kathleen Zellner (who has been working on his appeal since 2016). Specialising in wrongful convictions, she believes wholeheartedly in her client's innocence and is currently working towards his appeal.

Keen to share updates with Making a Murderer fans, Zellner has revealed her latest theory which might just call into question – or, depending on your point of view, provide an answer to – one of the biggest sticking points from the series.

Kathleen Zellner, Making a Murderer
Netflix

Related: Kathleen Zellner's biggest revelations about Steven Avery's case post-Making a Murderer 2

It concerns the bones found in the Manitowoc County Gravel Pit. You may recall that this was mentioned ever-so-briefly in Avery's trial, and featured in Part 1 of the true crime series. Suspected human 'pelvic bone' fragments were discovered in the quarry, away from Avery's property, in a consistent condition to those found in the Avery yard.

Zellner recently made moves to have testing done on this piece of evidence, to establish once and for all if they were in fact human, but her motion was denied by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in early 2019.

Ken Kratz, Making a Murderer
Netflix

If the fragments were identified to be human and belonging to Halbach, it could refute the State's theory that she was killed and burned in Steven Avery's burn pit.

Zellner now believes that the Attorney General’s Office has been attempting to 'deceive' her and her client, by hiding the whereabouts of this forensic evidence.

Kathleen Zellner, Making a Murderer
Netflix

According to a letter submitted by Zellner to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals on February 13, 'never-before disclosed ledger sheets' have come to light that indicate the bones in question were returned to the Halbach family. What's more, according to this document, the pelvic bone was categorised as 'human' – although it remains unclear whether it has been confirmed to have belonged to Halbach.

The letter also alleges that Assistant Attorney General Thomas Fallon 'consistently represented to undersigned counsel for the last three years that the State was in possession of the pelvic bone'.

In response to these allegations, a spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office told Rolling Stone that they 'cannot comment on ongoing litigation'.

Steven Avery, Making a Murderer
Netflix

According to multiple sources, Wisconsin law requires 'any biological material' and 'physical evidence' be preserved until the convicted defendant has been discharged from prison. Viewers of the Netflix show will be aware that Steven Avery is currently serving a life sentence.

On February 18, Kathleen Zellner shared an update on Twitter. 'The State has confirmed with us that they did in fact give "many bones" back to TH's family,' she wrote. 'They have no proof they gave notice to SA or his attorneys = violation state law & due process.'

preview for Making A Murderer season 3: All You Need To Know

So, what does this all mean for Avery?

In a statement to Newsweek, Zellner explained: 'This admission proves these bone fragments were returned to the family and it is undisputed there was no notice given to Steven Avery or his attorneys and that violates Wisconsin law.'

Steven Avery parents, Netflix, Making a Murderer
Netflix

Kathleen Zellner has now revealed (February 25) that Steven Avery has won this motion in his appeal and, as a result, could get a new trial.

In a statement to Fox 11, Zellner said her team were 'delighted' that the appellate court granted the motion regarding their 'new evidence that the State has destroyed material evidence by giving the bones back to the Halbach family'.

'We believe Mr Avery will be granted a new trial for this serious violation of both Wisconsin and federal law,' she added.

Teresa Halbach, Making a Murderer
Netflix

Zellner has wanted to make clear that the victim's family should in no way take any blame for any issues in the case.

'The Halbach family are victims of this grave miscarriage of justice,' she said. 'And they should not be blamed for any aspect of this case.'


From: Digital Spy
Headshot of Laura Jane Turner
Laura Jane Turner

TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those.  Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations.  As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending). 

linkedIn