MADISON, Wis. – Attorneys for a Wisconsin inmate featured in the Netflix series “Making a Murderer” say they’re disappointed that a federal appeals court has blocked his release from prison.
Brendan Dassey was convicted in 2007 of raping and killing Teresa Halbach and sentenced to life in prison. A federal judge in August overturned his conviction, saying investigators coerced him into confessing. State attorneys have appealed that ruling.
The judge this week ordered Dassey released from prison by 8 p.m. Friday. But a three-judge panel from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the release Thursday, saying Dassey must remain behind bars pending the resolution of his appeal.
Dassey’s attorneys posted a statement online saying they were “disappointed more than words can say” with the appellate decision.
The Justice Department filed an emergency motion with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday asking it to block the release, arguing Dassey’s confession was voluntary and that the 27-year-old inmate poses a danger to society.
Dassey’s attorneys filed a reply brief late Wednesday arguing that Dassey has behaved well in prison and that the state hasn’t identified any harm that might come from his release.
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