Brendan Dassey seeks clemency, release from prison in Teresa Halbach case
October 2, 2019
Andy Thompson and Chris Mueller, Appleton Post-Crescent
MADISON, Wis. – The lawyers representing Brendan Dassey, who was featured in Netflix’s docuseries “Making a Murderer” for his conviction in the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach, filed a petition Wednesday for executive clemency with Gov. Tony Evers.
The petition asks Evers to consider either a pardon, which would result in Dassey’s release from prison and the restoration of some of his legal rights, or a commutation, which would result in his release or a shortened sentence.
His lawyers focused on his alleged innocence and the “extreme length of his sentence,” according to a copy of the petition obtained by USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. Dassey, 29, is serving a life sentence and won’t be eligible for parole until 2048, when he will be 59.
