MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) – Steven Avery’s latest bid for a new trial has been denied.
Avery is serving a life prison term for the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach.
Sheboygan County Judge Angela Sutkiewicz, who is handling the case at the circuit court level, ruled his argument that even though the state turned over bones to the Halbach family – without providing notice to the defense – it does not mean he should get a new trial.
“The court finds that the defendant has failed to meet his burden to establish that Wis. Stats. 968.205 was violated or his constitutional rights were violated under the provisions of Youngblood v Arizona, supra. As such, the defendant’s motion is denied,” court records state.
Avery’s argument suggested because the bones released were recovered from outside the Avery property, it undercut the state’s theory of the case that Halbach was murdered there and her body was disposed of there.
The decision can be appealed.
Avery’s nephew, Brendan Dassey, is also serving a life prison term. His most recent appeal was denied by the United States Supreme Court. He currently has no appeals pending.
