While a crowd of up to 200 had been expected to show up, just a few dozen people gathered outside the Manitowoc County courthouse Friday for a rally in support of two men some believe may have been wrongfully convicted of murder.
The rally comes about a month after the release of the Netflix series “Making a Murderer,” which focuses on the investigation of the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach, along with the trials of Steven Avery and his nephew Brendan Dassey for her death. The series has attracted a worldwide following because of questions it raises about how the investigation was conducted, and has left many people asking whether Avery and Dassey may have been framed.
Megan McGuiness of Hastings, Minnesota organized Friday’s event, which she said was intended to show support for the men and their families, who many think are innocent. “We can be loud and proud and make a change in the justice system, because I think the justice system is broken,” she said. “These guys deserve a new trial.”
Not everyone at the event was there to support efforts to win release for Avery and Dassey. Several counter-protesters were also present, with some accusing the crowd as being “brainwashed” and arguing that the two were convicted by a jury of their peers. The demonstration remained peaceful, with police monitoring the event.
Avery is currently serving a life sentence with no chance for parole. Dassey is eligible for release in 2048.
Contributed by WOMT
