A judge in Manitowoc County has dropped sexual assault and kidnapping charges against Steven Avery, the man accused in the brutal slaying of Teresa Halbach in 2005. The decision came this morning, after Defense Attorney Dean Strang argued the prosecution had not met the deadline for indicating whether Avery's nephew, Brendan Dassey, would testify against him. Strang says without that testimony, there is no evidence to support those charges against Avery.
Prosecutor Ken Kratz says the delay came from a plea agreement that was being worked out with Dassey, but was not yet finalized.
At the conclusion of an early morning hearing Monday, Judge Patrick Willis issues his ruling, approving two out of three dismissal motions. A false imprisonment charges was allowed to stay in place.
Avery's trial is scheduled to begin next week.
WOMT's Fred Barry contributed to this report.