Brendan Dassey, one of the main subjects of Netflix's hit series "Making A Murderer" just had his conviction (a life sentence) overturned and is scheduled to be released.
Dassey, now 27, was originally convicted of helping his uncle, Steven Avery, in the murder of Teresa Halbach but a federal judge has ruled that his constitutional rights were violated when he was grilled, without a parent or his lawyer present, at the age of 16.
Federal U.S. Magistrate Judge William Duffin explained his decision:
"These repeated false promises, when considered in conjunction with all relevant factors, most especially Dassey’s age, intellectual deficits, and the absence of a supportive adult, rendered Dassey’s confession involuntary under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. The Wisconsin Court of Appeals’ decision to the contrary was an unreasonable application of clearly established federal law," Duffin wrote.
According to TMZ, the judge added, "Dassey's borderline to below average intellectual ability likely made him more susceptible to coercive pressures than a peer of higher intellect."
Wisconsin prosecutors have 90 days to decide if they want to retry Dassey, but as of now it finally looks like he'll get to enjoy SummerSlam and Wrestlemania like he always wanted.
Season 2 of "Making A Murderer" is currently in the works.
[Via]