‘Making A Murderer’ petition nears 250000 signatures

The series prompted a Change.org petition and a White House petition that calls for the government to pardon Avery.

More than 240,000 people have signed a petition on change.org seeking a pardon for the two men.

An official White House petition has received almost 19,500 signatures and would require a White House response if 100,000 people sign it by January 19.

The 53-year-old is now serving a life sentence for a 2007 murder conviction, one he and his supporters claim he was framed for by local Manitowoc County authorities.

The makers of the documentary Making A Murderer – which has generated petitions, praise from celebrities and sparked online debate – have shared what they describe as a “significant revelation” about the murder trial at the centre of the series. “There is a documentary series on Netflix called “Making a Murderer”.

Filmmakers Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos followed their subjects for 10 years starting in 2005, and Making a Murderer has thoroughly convinced some of its viewers that Avery was wrongly convicted a second time. After an exhaustive post-conviction investigation and the introduction of new DNA evidence that disproved Avery’s guilt, he was exonerated. A televised press conference by district attorney Ken Kratz, for example, included a graphic description of Halbach’s murder based on potentially flawed testimony from Avery’s nephew, Brendan Dassey.

“Making A Murderer” can be viewed on Netflix. Dassey was also given a life sentence but has a chance for early release in 2048.

Combined, as of this posting, the petitions have yielded 204,139 signatures. It shows the lawyers as they investigate the case and construct the line of defense, and gives a glimpse into the thoughts of Avery himself and his family through interviews.

“There is clear evidence that the Manitowoc County sheriff’s department used improper methods to convict both Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey”, the petition’s creator – listed only as D.R. – says.