State Seeks Review From Full Panel Of Judges In Dassey Case

Multiple Rulings Have Thrown Out Conviction Of 'Making A Murderer' Inmate

In this April 16, 2007, photo, Brendan Dassey appears in court at the Manitowoc County Courthouse
In this April 16, 2007, photo, Brendan Dassey appears in court at the Manitowoc County Courthouse in Manitowoc, Wis. Dan Powers/AP Photo

Wisconsin’s Department of Justice is asking a federal appellate court to review a ruling overturning the conviction of a Wisconsin inmate featured in the “Making a Murderer” documentary.

Brendan Dassey was sentenced to life in 2007 after he told detectives he helped his uncle, Steven Avery, rape and kill Teresa Halbach.

A federal judge overturned Dassey’s conviction in 2016, ruling investigators took advantage of his young age and cognitive disabilities to coerce the confession. A three-judge panel from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed in June.

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State attorneys filed a motion with the 7th Circuit on Wednesday asking all 12 of the court’s judges to review the case. The court rarely grants such reviews but in a 15-page petition, the state DOJ suggests that if Dassey’s case is overturned, it could set a precedent for interrogation techniques used on all juvenile suspects.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include original reporting from WPR.