Steven Avery's June 2022 mug shot. PC: Fox 11 Online
WAUTOMA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Steven Avery’s case at the circuit court level will remain on hold indefinitely, while the appeals court reviews motions before it, a Waushara County judge said Monday. But Judge Guy Dutcher will review recent activity in the case to be prepared to move forward, for if and when the matter returns to the circuit court.
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. Last month, Judge Lambrecht submitted a request to have a judge from outside Manitowoc County assigned to the case. It fell to Waushara County Judge Guy Dutcher, who held a five-minute phone hearing with the attorneys Monday.
While no hearings were scheduled, the parties will provide the court with a summary of what’s happened.
“I will focus my attention on all of the post-conviction activity that has taken place in the last three years,” the judge said.
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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