Effie Williams 
The Netflix documentary “Making a Murderer” brought to light the story of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey, two men who were wrongly convicted of a murder they did not commit in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.
The show generated a lot of attention and controversy, and it sparked a lawsuit against the Manitowoc County officials involved in the case.
In this blog post, we will dive into the lawsuit against Manitowoc County, what it entails, and what the implications of this case are.
In 2018, Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey filed a lawsuit against Manitowoc County, alleging that their civil rights were violated during their trial and investigation.
The lawsuit specifically targeted Sheriff Robert Hermann, former Sheriff Kenneth Petersen, former District Attorney Mark Rohrer, former Assistant District Attorney Norm Gahn, and former investigator Tom Fassbender, among others. Avery and Dassey claimed that these officials fabricated evidence, coerced false confessions, and neglected or hid evidence that could exonerate them.
Furthermore, Avery and Dassey’s lawsuit argued that Manitowoc County had a pattern and practice of misconduct and corruption, thanks in part to the county’s insurance policy that protected officials from legal consequences.
The lawsuit claimed that this policy led to impunity, a culture of secrecy, and a lack of accountability that led to Avery and Dassey’s false convictions.
The lawsuit sought financial compensation for the men’s wrongful imprisonment, as well as changes in the way Manitowoc County officials are trained and supervised.
The lawsuit against Manitowoc County is ongoing and has faced several legal challenges and roadblocks. In 2019, a federal judge dismissed a part of the case, ruling that some of the claims were too broad and vague.
The judge allowed other parts to proceed, however, and the lawsuit is still pending in court.
Avery and Dassey’s attorney, Kathleen Zellner, has promised to fight for her clients’ rights and to bring justice to Manitowoc County.
The Manitowoc County case is not an isolated incident. Similar cases of wrongful convictions, police misconduct, and prosecutorial abuse have been documented across the United States.
The disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system on black and brown communities, as well as the erosion of the presumption of innocence and due process, have sparked protests and calls for reform.
The Manitowoc County lawsuit is just one example of how the justice system can fail and how accountability and transparency are essential to prevent abuses of power.
The lawsuit against Manitowoc County is a story of injustice and resilience.
Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey have spent years behind bars for a crime they did not commit, and their fight for justice continues.
The lawsuit highlights the need for systemic change in the criminal justice system and accountability for those in power.
The road to justice is long and difficult, but the Manitowoc County case proves that it is worth fighting for.
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