PHOTO: Courtesy of Wisconsin DOC
WAUTOMA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A new circuit court judge has been assigned to the Steven Avery case – and he wants an update on the case next month – although the only pending activity in the case is before the state Court of Appeals.
Avery, 63, is serving a life sentence after being convicted for the 2005 murder of photographer Teresa Halbach. Avery has maintained his innocence. To this point, several appeals have been denied.
The case was transferred at the circuit court level from Sheboygan Judge Angela Sutkiewicz to Manitowoc County Judge Anthony Lambrecht in October, 2023. With an appeal pending, however, Judge Lambrecht has not held any hearings in the case. Avery’s attorney filed a motion asking for evidence to be tested, but that was dropped before Judge Lambrecht could address the issue.
Last week, Judge Lambrecht submitted a request to have a judge from outside Manitowoc County assigned to the case. On Monday, it was transferred to Waushara County Judge Guy Dutcher.
A status conference before Judge Dutcher will be held Dec. 9, according to a court entry added Wednesday. It is unclear what will be discussed, as the only pending matter is before the appeals court.
The appeals court is currently reviewing Avery’s appeal of a decision denying him a new trial or hearing on claims there is an alternate suspect actually responsible for Halbach’s death. All of the briefs have been submitted. There is no set timeline for when a decision will be released.
Avery’s nephew, Brendan Dassey, was also convicted. Dassey’s appeals have all been rejected, and he has none pending. He is currently at the Oshkosh Correctional Institution.
Their cases received worldwide attention with the 2015 release of the Netflix series “Making A Murderer.”
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