Making A Murderer: The Summary

HIS PERSPECTIVE: As the music is cued to start episode 1, there's an obvious attempt to set a particular tone. Both somber and grounding, it takes you on a journey through a dark field of emotions. It's as if I know there's a story that will anger, shock, depress, sober and enlighten me that just happens to lay in wait if I dare commit to the long haul. Obviously this was as difficult as it was addictive to watch for those and more reasons. I'm not going to bother re-hashing the details; I think we were fairly thorough as we went along. Episode by episode I found myself changing sides again and again due to the things that were presented and/or discovered. I must admit that I felt very guilty for not having an avenue to consider one of the four main victims in the series, that being Teresa Halbach. I felt like I wanted to know more about her so that her life would be more of a focal point, rather than her death being the reason that we all know about her. Rest in peace Teresa Halbach.


HER PERSPECTIVE: I've always wondered what it felt like to be a fish unwillingly plucked out of water and left to flutter angrily outside of its natural habitat. Watching Making a Murderer is the closest I will come to that feeling. In other words, I flip-flopped so damn much throughout the series that I found it hard to breath at times. It was like riding a cruel and never-ending roller coaster of emotions; so much so that I was ecstatic to reach the tenth and final episode albeit bittersweet. I do agree with the guilt that the boy feels about Teresa Halbach because I, too, share that sentiment. It is unfortunate that her death played second fiddle to Steven Avery, the man accused of her murder. But when it seems like the ten-part documentary written and directed by Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos was geared towards proclaiming Steven Avery's innocence...what else should one expect?


HIS PERSPECTIVE: At the end of the day, this film is as skillfully crafted as it might be considered polarizing. It's clearly done from a single perspective, that being that Steven is innocent and was framed. Without seeing the other side it's hard for me to swallow that. I just can't fathom that so many differing entities came together to bring down one man. Is it possible? Yes. Is it probable? While, I have to say that it's unlikely I can't go as far as to say that assumption is crazy. Due to this side of the story, I've seen a few folks depicted as if the Avery's need to be eliminated and that's disturbing to me. At the end of the day I have to respect that I don't know the members of the Manitowoc community other than what I saw on film and it would be unfair for me to judge them based on splices of their lives at a particularly stressful and polarizing time. As far as this being a documentary is concerned, I'm just not sure that it fits my understanding of what a documentary is. Is there an agenda here? If so, I'd have say that it may be biased towards Steven Avery. I also have to admit that after having served 18 years for a crime that he didn't commit, and all of the harsh blows that life has dealt him thus far, perhaps he deserves the bias.


HER PERSPECTIVE: I am still dubious as to what to believe. It's obvious (to me) that he didn't do it due to the overwhelming gross misconduct of the Manitowoc County police department. It's also obvious (to me) that he did commit this crime due to the inculpatory evidence that shows Steven Avery was involved in Teresa Halbach's murder. I feel like a child in the middle of a nasty divorce and I don't know who to part with for fear of making the wrong choice. If this was the purpose of creating the documentary, then mission accomplished. We will always be left wondering. My heart goes out to Teresa Halbach and what she endured at the hand of her killer and to her family for their loss. My heart also goes out to Steven Avery's parents for believing in their son and making it their life's mission to prove his innocence.

NF & Chill M.A.M. Ep 10 Can We Live.

* Spoiler alert: There are items discussed on this post that may reveal a great deal of content if you haven't seen the series. As a result we advise that you watch the correlating episode first and then read the post. If you choose not to heed the warning, that's fine too. This is based on the Netflix Web Series and may not be entirely reflective of the actual court proceeding(s).

Episode Synopsis: In the years after Steven's and Brendan trial, the various members of the Avery family struggle to mend their broken lives. 

Mike Kinzel - Reporter Manitowoc 

"Around here the feeling is, Steven Avery got what he deserved. He is where he belongs, back behind bars for the rest of his life." - Mike Kinzel. Let's think about the coldness of that statement. I wouldn't have an issue with it at all if he said behind bars, but back I take exception to. Back presupposes his guilt in the first case. You know, the rape case for which he spent 18 years, only to be proven innocent of. It just seems that this community has always seen Steven Avery as deserving what he got the first time and perhaps that's what shapes this opinion today? There's really no way of telling. 

"I went down there with the thought that I could be a blessing to him, and it turned out that he was a blessing to me." - Sandy Greenman. I'm happy that he has someone to pull for him as he prays for another chance to prove his innocence.

"In 85 they only took my brother away, for something he didn't do. And they knew it. And now they took my brother away and my son. If Steven would have did it I think he would have confessed by now... I believe he's still innocent and I know my son is innocent." - Barb Tadych. What other choice does she have but to believe it? It happened before, surely it could happen again. I really do believe that the Avery's think that the town has it out for them. I'm not so sure that I'd feel any different, given the same circumstances. 

Request for a new trial: 

" Every attorney in this country owes a duty of loyalty to their clients, that's part of the constitutional right to council and what happened in this case is that Attorney Kachinsky took steps to essentially coerce Brendan into pleading guilty. And we argued that Attorney Kachinsky's behavior is intolerable... And that Brendan should get a new trial." -  Laura Nerdier. 

"This kind of cooperation between a defense investigator and the prosecution is unheard of.  So in a sense they were working for the prosecution." - Steven Drizin 

The waters are once again becoming murkier and murkier as I'm listening to O'Kelly on the stand, particularly when he tears up again and again over the blue ribbon. Come on man, get it together and tell your fucking story. The tears only make me believe that you are trying to come across as someone that desperately wants to be painted as one that needs our sympathy, instead of our contempt. Especially once I recall your, give a little love give a little anger tactic that you used on Brendan when you interviewed him. Ninja please.

"I am learning the Avery family history and about each member of the Avery family. These are criminals. There are members engaged in sexual activities with nieces, nephews, cousins, in laws. Customers or their relatives unwittingly become victims of their sexual fantasies and thus are being victimized. This is truly were the devil resides in comfort. I can find no good in any member, these people are pure evil. A friend of mine suggested this is truly a one branch family tree. Cut this tree down. We need to end the gene pool here." - Michael O'Kelley.  And this is the mofo that is supposed to help defend you. This dude sounds like Hitler trying to eradicate an entire family. Wow is all I can say to any of this, oh and judge not lest ye be judged. 

Ruling - Request for a new trial denied... 

Ken Kratz seeks treatment for drug dependence and sexual addiction. In Oct 2010 he resigns from office... Noteworthy are the allegations from at least 5 women and the contents of some of the alleged text messages. 

Watching Steven's father as he shows off the contents of his garden and then limps off, has me in tears. For he and his wife to have to listen to the things that were said about the Avery family, after watching their son and grandson being locked away was a type of victimization that no one, not directly responsible (or thought responsible) for the death of Teresa Halbach should be forced to endure, but they seem to being doing what they can to stay positive and fruitful. My heart goes out to them if they are what they appear to be in this film. My heart definitely goes out to the Halbach family. No matter who is responsible for her death, they will never get her back. This situation is sad on every level possible. 

"When you know your innocent, you will keep on going. The truth always come out, sooner or later." - Steven Avery. 

Up Next: His & Her perspective on the series as a whole. 

NF & Chill M.A.M. Ep 9 Humbled Lackey

* Spoiler alert: There are items discussed on this post that may reveal a great deal of content if you haven't seen the series. As a result we advise that you watch the correlating episode first and then read the post. If you choose not to heed the warning, that's fine too. This is based on the Netflix Web Series and may not be entirely reflective of the actual court proceeding(s).

Episode Synopsis: Steven's trial is over and Brendan's is underway. Will the jury find his confession or his conflicting statements more trustworthy? It's anyone's guess. 

Key Players in Ep 9: 

Brendan Dassey 

As the episode starts and after listening to Ken Kratz one more time, I felt the urge to paint.
Come on, there's no way that you don't find yourself thinking of this guy each and every time you here that calm, almost inaudible voice. I guess that's used to disarm and gain trust. It does the opposite for me. When Mr. Fremgen called Brendan suggestible I finally felt like someone knew what was going on here. "You will learn that Brendan will meet two highly trained intelligent adult police officers. At times they cozy up to Brendan to get the answer they want. At times they pull back from Brendan when he's not giving them the answer they want or expect. It's like a new puppy dog." "When you watch the videos carefully, they'll be exposed for what they are. And I think they're just garbage." - Mark Fremgen. That about sums it up both in his words and how that situation is presented in this film. As Kayla backtracks her original statement to the police now that she's on the stand, you can clearly see the source of the suggestions that were given to Brendan during his questioning at school. Quick note to Teresa's brother; I'm sure that the Avery's & Dassey's would love the police too, if they didn't feel victimized by them. Just a thought, while understanding your reverence and acknowledging your pain.

The fact that Brendan's father, Peter shared the crazy dream that he had really shows how doomed Brendan was from the start. If he thought this was appropriate to share, then there is no wonder there's a disconnect. "It was Teresa and she was alive and it was all a joke." I have to think that even he knew that there had to be a better word than joke, all things considered. I cringed when that word came out of his mouth.

During Brendan's testimony I never saw his emotion change, not once. He would only sit, listen, blink and finally speak. I'm not sure what to think of him at this point. The notion that he got the "girl chained to the bed" story by reading Kiss The Girls, was ridiculous. I'm sure that his lawyers researched that and prepped him, but they should have had him say that he watched the movie or had someone else tell him about this in the book. He's operating on a 4th grade reading level, how in the hell am I supposed to believe that he's even made an attempt to read that book?

Closing Arguments:

"Don't convict him because he couldn't pick his parents. Don't convict him because he simply doesn't know and he's honest about it."  - Ray Edelstein. I'm sad to say that I was feeling the same way about his parents. They seemed to be the ones that failed Brendan. Have they ever acknowledged that Brendan had cognitive disabilities before or have they just patted him on the head and told him that he was just special? To allow this young man to ever speak to the detectives without a lawyer and outside of your presence is folly at best.

"People who are innocent don't confess. The defendant confessed because he was guilty, because he did it. Just as Teresa's lifeless body was consumed by that fire, the defendants presumption of innocence has been consumed by the fires of his own sexual desire. He wanted to know what it was like." - Tom Fallon. Did dude just quote a Rick James song? Fires of his own desires? Come on man, he doesn't seem to be able to function on that level at all. Either he didn't do it or he was directed to do it by someone else, at least that seems to be his level of functioning.

The Verdict:

As we all know, a quick verdict is rarely good for a defendant. It's normally a precursor to a verdict of guilty. Brendan is found guilty of all charges and emotions, as should be expected, have boiled over. For the time being, I'm left wondering if there are now two people locked up with the killer still on the streets. I'm just not sure, I don't know how anyone could be...

Judge Willis sentences Steven Avery to life in prison without the possibility of early release.

Judge Fox sentences Brendan to life in prison with the possibility of early release in 2048.


Up Next: Ep 10 Can I Live. 

NF & Chill M.A.M. Ep 8 It's Like A Crew

* Spoiler alert: There are items discussed on this post that may reveal a great deal of content if you haven't seen the series. As a result we advise that you watch the correlating episode first and then read the post. If you choose not to heed the warning, that's fine too. This is based on the Netflix Web Series and may not be entirely reflective of the actual court proceeding(s).

Episode Synopsis: Closing arguments now up and the jury deliberates. That being stated, Steven's fate now hinges on whether the jury believes police misconduct may have occurred. 


Key Players in Ep 8: 

Dean Strang & Jerry Buting

Episode 8 opens with Allan Avery as he reminisces about the plans that he made for his son Steve and him to raise and farm fish. It was then that it hit me like a ton of bricks. This man and his wife have been waiting for their son for a great deal of their lives. While others have been planning summer trips and holiday visits, the Avery family has been consumed with proving their son's innocence. Once for 18 years and now here they are again, feeling as if the system is set to work against them. It's got to be tough. 

"In some ways to be accused is to lose... Every time. What you can hope to get is your liberty back, eventually. That's all you can hope to get." - Dean Strang. What a powerful statement, especially as it relates to his client, Steven Avery; after all, I know from the start I was thinking about the rape as I listened to the new charges. Not of the fact that he was innocent, but in thinking that he was an ex-con... It's extremely biasing. 

Kratz came out swinging just as hard as I expected him to in defense of the crew, making sure to paint his officer's as the folks that come to save the day. Why not, I'm sure that all, but the Avery's see them in that exact light. I thought it was brilliant. It was just as smart to have the jury take the leap that if the officers did indeed frame Avery, then the jurors would have to be willing to believe that they killed and burned the body of Teresa Halbach. Who in the heck would believe the police would be willing to do that, just to get Avery off the streets for good? 

I thought that it was genius for Buting & Strang to characterize the officers as lawmen that didn't think they were framing an innocent man, but framing a man that they, in their heart of hearts, decided was guilty. This takes the sting out of calling them liars and criminals and almost serves to justify their alleged actions. I'm not sure if this was in response to the police murder and frame up theory that Mr. Kratz threw out there or the possibility that both he & Strang might one day have to depend on this department for help after dialing 911? 

It's been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, yet none come to me as I look at Avery's face as the verdict is read. This is probably that saddest part of this series... As the judge's voice fades, I imagine that's exactly how numbing that moment was to all that would like to have seen Steven Avery go free. Is he guilty? Was he framed? What's next and where do we go from here? Of course I feel for Teresa Halbach and her family, but I hope they have the right man behind bars... This is one of the roughest moments for all involved.


Next Up: Ep 9 - Humbled Lackey

NF & Chill M.A.M. Ep 7 A Lenk(y) Discussion

* Spoiler alert: There are items discussed on this post that may reveal a great deal of content if you haven't seen the series. As a result we advise that you watch the correlating episode first and then read the post. If you choose not to heed the warning, that's fine too. This is based on the Netflix Web Series and may not be entirely reflective of the actual court proceeding(s).

Episode Synopsis: As the trial continues, Steven's lawyers present their case that law enforcement officials have planted evidence in an effort to frame him. 

Key Players in Ep 7:  

Allan Avery - Steven's Father 

William Tyson - Sgt. Calumet Sheriff's Department

Daniel Kucharski - Deputy Calumet Sheriff's Department

James Lenk - Lt Manitowoc Sheriff's Department

Ken Kratz - Special Prosecutor Calumet County

Norm Gahn - Special Prosecutor Milwaukee County 

Dr. Marc LeBeau - Chemistry Unit Chief 

Janine Arvizu - Laboratory Data Quality Advisor

Tell eem' Poppa Avery. Steven's father has just said what I've been thinking all along. How in the hell does the Manitowoc crew arrive and suddenly evidence is found? This is the pivotal question that starts off episode 7. As William Tyson offers testimony he admits that he was directed to "play watchdog" over any of the members of Manitowoc S.D. He goes on to say that he kept a watchful eye and that no evidence was found while he was on the Avery's property with Remiker, Lenk & Coborn. Not these three again... When asked if he'd ever been directed to keep such a watchful eye over fellow law officers before, he says that has never happened. Towards the end of his testimony he shares that while he's kept a watchful eye when he was there, on the day that the key was found, he was not there. By the time Kucharski is on the stand this scene turns laughable, this dude introduces the possibility that aliens may have placed the keys in the room. He admits that there was no key on the floor when he first entered the room, but was there upon his return. Again, these proceedings are frustratingly laughable and tragic. 

My man Lenk is back on the stand and I'm smirking at his responses as soon as they roll off of his lips. What? He volunteered to be one of the officers that searched Steven Avery's residence along with his boy Coborn? It appears that these two couldn't wait to have access to Avery's place. How can things like this happen over and over again? When Kratz emotionally defends the departments it comes as no surprise whatsoever. The one question that I'd place to him is this: Why not have the Manitowoc personnel back as far away from this investigation completely? Why not have them out of the picture completely so as not to further a conflict of interest? Once evidence starts to pop up, only when they are around doesn't that make a reasonable person think twice? I get that Fassbender would trust other law enforcement officials, they are his colleagues after all. Here's the thing though, if this was a policy, shouldn't politeness take a back seat? If Manitowoc was not to be involved then that's what should have been enforced. It's plain and simple. 

Every time Gahn or Kratz speaks to the media, almost driven to tears of sorrow or anger, I can't help but to picture T.O.'s "That's my quarterback." speech. Their tears ring empty to me, there's a guy that has real tears. Shit he had them for 18 years and now again. Who cares that they are offended, a man's life hangs in the balance. Of course I have sympathy for the victim, Teresa Halbach and I'm sure that she'd want justice to be served. That can only be done by charging the actual killer, not by making someone appear to be guilty. 

Let's get back to Lenk and the blood sample. The fact that he would have knowledge of the sample's existence and possible access is scary. According to the movie, one year before Steven's release from prison, evidence was sent to the state crime lab for DNA analysis. The fact that he knows doesn't necessarily move me, but coupled with the broken and re-taped seal and his appearance around newly found evidence, it's hard to think that something's not fishy with this entire situation. Now let's add to it the particulars of the tainted blood sample (please do yourself a favor and pay attention to this part at 39:01 to 47:05). I'm on pins and needles. The defense suggests that Mr. Lebeau may have over-stepped in his statement. According to another expert, Janine Arvizu, there can be no conclusion of EDTA's presence in samples that were untested by Mr. Lebeau. Seems to contradict his statement, right? 

As the episode ends Steve speaks. It's a swing and a miss. I get that he's better off not testifying for himself, remember that 70 IQ and it's a no brainer. Unfortunately, most folks believe that any innocent man would want his chance to state his own innocence from the witness stand in court. This is real life though. He'd more than likely hurt himself more by taking the stand. Only thing is, his statement "I'm an innocent man and everybody knows that," may have rubbed some jurors the wrong way. As a matter of fact Mr. Avery, there are only a handful of folks in that courtroom that truly believe in your innocence at this point I'm guessing. 


Next Up: Ep 8 It's Like A Crew... 

NF & Chill M.A.M. Ep 6 Trusting The Evidence and a Department

* Spoiler alert: There are items discussed on this post that may reveal a great deal of content if you haven't seen the series. As a result we advise that you watch the correlating episode first and then read the post. If you choose not to heed the warning, that's fine too. This is based on the Netflix Web Series and may not be entirely reflective of the actual court proceeding(s).

Episode Synopsis: As the trial continues, newly discovered evidence places Teresa in Steve Avery's garage. Or does it? Steven's attorneys cross-examine forensic experts about contaminated evidence and the absence of proof linking Steven to the crime. 

Key Players in Ep 6: 

Ken Kratz - Special Prosecutor 

Jerry Pagel - Sheriff Calumet County

Brendan Dassey - The suggestible one

Kevin Heimerl - Special Agent for DOJ Wisconsin

Dave Remiker - Detective Manitowoc Sheriff's Department

James Lenk - Lt Manitowoc Sheriff's Department

Sherry Culhane - DNA Technical Unit Leader Wisconsin State Crime Lab

Tom Fassbender - Special Agent & Co-Lead Investigator DOJ Wisconsin

Scott Tadych - Witness (Flames)

Bobby Dassey - Brendan's brother & Witness

So right after they interview the suggestable one the department now has detailed information that leads them back to Steve's garage. It's been 4 months since the last sweep of Avery's garage, where nothing was found, but on this search they find shell casings and a flattened bullet. Where are we again, Manitowoc or Denmark? Something smells a bit off... Wait a minute, did Special Agent Heimerl just point out yet another Manitowoc Sheriff's Department detective bending down in the picture standing right were the bullets are found? This ought to be good. Bring David Remiker to the stand and I'm sure this will all be cleared up. It seems that while no bullets were found during a thorough search on November 6, 2005 suddenly, on March 2, 2006 there's at least one flattened bullet and a bunch of shell casings. Sounds like Coborn or Lenk's been lurking around again if this story stays consistent with what's happened in the past. It doesn't take long for Remiker to tell the jury that once again, Lt. Lenk is right there when the bullets are found. Quick question: Why in the heck is Manitowoc Sheriff's Department so involved when this was handed over to the Calumet Sheriff's Department? Doesn't anyone else see the conflict of interest here? These guys locked him away for a crime he didn't commit before, wouldn't they want to be as far away as possible so that this would look a lot more clean? As it is, it looks murky at best.

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Sherry Culhane, the spitting DNA analyst... So many questions here but I'll stick to the most important ones. Why in the heck was the DNA sample not listed as inconclusive as required? Why was someone from the defense team not allowed to observe during the testing? Oh yeah, because that runs an additional risk of contamination. Yeah and then Culhane is the one that contaminates the sample. Only to find out that for four months she just happens to have evidence from tests that she's performed just sitting at her desk. At the very least, this should serve as a study in what not to do part of this process for all other cases. The note where Agent Fassbender directs her "to place Teresa in Mr. Avery's house or garage," is written in her own handwriting and seems damning to me. Of course it can be explained away, but what happened to finding out the truth? It seems as if they are going to do whatever they can do to assure that Steven is the killer. Keep in mind that if the test came back inconclusive, there would be no link to Teresa even being in Steven's garage. Culhane admits under oath that no DNA evidence of any kind was found in the house or garage from Brendan nor Teresa, but she was killed in the trailer? No idea what to think of that.

Teresa's blood is in the car which suggests that she may have been in her vehicle after or during her death. Maybe she was killed in her car? But if so then it didn't happen in the garage as theorized by the prosecution. If she had been killed in the garage why would anyone place her in the car to take her over to the burn pit? I just doesn't add up.

Scott Tadych can't get right under oath. This dude has changed his story to a fish story. Under oath, he claims that on his way to deer hunting he saw Bobby Dassey as they drove past each other east to west. He then says that upon his return, later that night he saw a big fire. "They were almost as tall as the garage eight to ten feet." (The flames). Later under cross-examination from Mr. Buting (Steven's lawyer) it is revealed that on Nov 29th 2005 Scott told the Sheriff's Department that the flames were only three feet high. My how the flames have grown over the years, perhaps at the same rate as a few of these noses... The timeline that he and Bobby have shared now seems concocted at best as another witness casts doubts on the original timeline.


Next Up: Ep 7 A Lenk(y) Discussion.