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...
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