Fans start petitions to pardon subject of Netflix’s ‘Making a Murderer’

The documentary series “Making a Murderer” that raises questions about the investigation into a 2005 killing has spurred multiple petitions calling for the release of two Wisconsin men who were convicted and are serving life sentences in a woman’s death. They are still in contact with and recording Avery, who is serving his sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A White House petition has been launched to pardon Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey, the two people found guilty by the courts in the murder of Teresa Halbach.

After being incarcerated for 18 years, Avery was released from prison in September 2003 because new DNA evidence from the assault indicated that he was not the attacker. Though it is not stated who was threatening the juror, this new development is noteworthy and should fit into several theories that claim Avery was framed by police.

The 10-episode documentary series premiered on December 18 to immediate buzz, commonly seen as the streaming service’s answer to HBO’s harrowing The Jinx and the beloved NPR podcast Serial. Demos added that the juror said they voted to convict Avery because they were afraid for their personal safety. I’m apparently not the only one to think so, because a change.org petition asking President Obama to pardon Avery has reached over 165,000 online signatures.

As of Monday afternoon, the petition had close to 20,000 signatures.

“Avery’s unconstitutional mistreatment at the hands of corrupt local law enforcement is completely unacceptable and is an abomination of due process”, reads a petition on Change.org. The documentary was so effective that now 200,000 people have signed petitions about the matter.

The Manitowoc County Sheriff says he would not call the new Netflix series about a crime in his jurisdiction “a documentary”, citing his department’s feelings that it depicted events out of order and out of context.

The hit true-crime Netflix show Making a Murderer has left some viewers with a rather hostile attitude to their electronic devices over the holidays.