Two of the central players in the Netflix series Making A Murderer are hitting the road and embarking on a speaking tour. Dean Strang and Jerry Buting, who were Steven Avery’s defense attorneys, are kicking off their 26-city tour, called A Conversation On Justice, on April 16 in Boston. According to the tour website, the evening will “involve the two attorneys in conversation about the Steven Avery case and its broader implications, as well as a discussion on the larger topic of the American criminal justice system.” The audience will have the chance to ask questions of the attorneys as well.
In a promotional video for the tour, Buting says the shows “provide an unfiltered discussion about the Avery trial and the lessons that were learned.” Strang added that it is a “wonderful moment to continue a conversation that probably should extend to other aspects of the criminal justice system and to speak unedited at some length about how justice is administered.” Buting summed up the tour, likening it to a “Director’s cut” of the Netflix series.
It’s interesting that the show has made rock stars out of these two attorneys from Wisconsin. I guess stranger things have happened. The tour is coming to my town, and, as much as I enjoyed the show, I can’t imagine spending time and money to listen to these guys talk legal stuff. The promo video was only 90 seconds and it bored me.
In addition to the tour, there is talk of a sequel to the series in the works. The film’s directors, Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos recently talked about the idea at a Stranger Than Fiction panel at New York’s IFC Center. According to Laura, “From our perspective this story is obviously not over. It’s real life and (Avery’s and Brendan Dassey’s) cases are both still pending. We have no idea when the magistrate will make a decision in Brendan’s case. We do know that two potential outcomes are that the judge could order Brendan’s release or he could order a new trial. So we are on the edge of seats about that. To the extent that there are significant developments, we would like to continue documenting this (case).”
The pair have been in touch with Avery’s new attorney, Kathleen Zellner, and have continued to speak with Avery from prison, recording their conversations. Evidence from Freedom of Information requests continues to surface, including the recent discovery of inconsistencies on murder victim Teresa Halbach’s death certificate. Zellner’s request for an appeal is currently in the works in the Manitowoc County court system and it could be heard later this month, after the Manitowoc County’s Clerk of Circuit Court sends the records in connection with Avery’s appeal to the court (she was given 2 extensions to gather all of the information and currently has until March 11 to submit her information to the court).
There is sure to be a sequel to this story. I hope they address some of the wild conspiracy theories, especially since Avery thinks the real killer has yet to be captured. Even Avery’s life in prison is worthy of a TV drama, sending threatening letters to his brother Earl and driving a cellmate to call him “disrespectful” and a “disgusting human being.” The cellmate told prison officials “I want to kill this guy.” I, personally, can’t get enough of this case and the cast of characters the series introduced us to and I am looking forward to hearing the rest of the story. Of course, I am kind of a true crime fanatic, I fall asleep to Forensic Files on HLN every night. This case, regardless if you think Avery is guilty or not, is truly riveting.
Photo credit: Getty Images, Netflix
While I applaud the lawyers for getting their 15 minutes of fame, I, too, will not be attending.
That birth certificate is appalling.
I wish more would be said about how Avery threatened to kill his wife when she divorced him while he was in prison. That, plus what he wrote to his brother, definitely make an impact on my opinion of him.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out, especially if police misconduct can be proven. Avery would be getting many more millions than he was slated to get the last time if so. Like those running Flint, Michigan, I hope that any wrongdoers end up in jail.
If you mention that he threatened to kill his wife, you should mention that she threatened to kill the children and that was his response. I don’t care for Avery but I don’t think that one should be mentioned without the other. People say crazy things in response to crazy.
Riveting is the word. I watched the entire series over 2 days and was just flabbergasted. The whole time Avery and his nephew were in with the police, I was getting hoarse from shouting “lawyer, lawyer – demand a lawyer!”. I go betwixt and between on whether or not Steve is guilty of the murder. I feel the series only showed us one side and not enough information on the other potential suspects.
But that kid Brendan should be released immediately. God help her, but his own mother is his worst enemy due to her poor education or sheer ignorance.
I was just really struck by how many people are, and will continue to be, victims of these police driven prosecutions. God help them. They are FAR better and stronger people than I will ever be. I would have found a convenient rope, to be brutally honest.
I would go to hear Dean Strang speak. Regardless of how I, or any of you guys feel about guilt or innocence or the facts of the Avery case, I thought he was a totally inspirational advocate for a healthy justice system throughout that show. I was so impressed by him.
I really think these lawyers are invested in spreading awareness of the major flaws in our judicial system. I think that a focus on Brendan would hold more water than Stephen.
Brendan was an intellectually challenged minor who was steamrolled and taken advantage of by law enforcement and the court system. It’s a horror to watch unfold.
There is a lot more “grey area” with Stephen.
^^ This ^^ I lived in southeast Wisconsin when all this was unfolding. I remember no outrage or shock about Avery at all. His nephew, however, had people concerned even at the time. This before we saw Making a Murderer and how Brendan’s interrogation and defense was handled. Specifically, the fact that he was allowed to speak to investigators without his attorney present. The attorney was subsequently dismissed for that egregious act, and yet the content of the interview was allowed into court. SMH. I still think Avery is guilty, however. There was a lot that I recall that didn’t make the series because it didn’t fit the narrative.
I tend to agree with you there about thinking perhaps Avery is guilty, but I was so angry to see the evidence of Dassey giving statements with no lawyer or anything. The boy has clear learning needs. I remember thinking if that happened where I live (UK) his statements wouldn’t even be admissable in court without an appropriate adult present (although it wouldn’t surprise me if this has happened in cases). One thing he said will always stick with me, when he asked if he would be able to get back to college following his “admission” because he had an assignment to hand in. Clearly here’s a guy who had no understanding of what he’d just done!
Ultimately there’s at least one man in prison for a crime I believe he didn’t commit, and i don’t understand how the Halbach family can be okay with that. It means that justice really hasn’t been done for anybody, including them, and I cant help but think that they must know deep down that he didn’t do it. Avery, perhaps, I really don’t know, but Dassey? Surely not.
These two lawyers and their passion for the law was one of my favorite parts of the series and one of the only parts that wasn’t couched in uncertainty or doubt. But then I’m a lawyer. I may go to this.
Same, as a lawyer, I think it was easier for me to watch the documentary with a broader understanding of the issues these attorneys were and are trying to tackle. I would absolutely pay to see these gentlemen speak b/c to me, they’re doing the Lord’s work in our industry.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow for here in San Diego. Im super excited about it.
My heart is a little broken by the looks of the current Dean Strang. I had such a crush on him in the series. Father Time has not been good to him 🙁
He’s put on a few pounds but he doesn’t look much different than he did a decade ago. Millions of people love Strang for his intelligence, passion for the law, and commitment to his client, not because he’s a fashion model.
I like Dean but I’m more of a Jerry girl….
I would absolutely pay to hear Strang and Buting discuss more on this case and the criminal justice system in general. They are probably a lot more interesting than 99.9% of law professors out there, most of whom don’t have nearly as much practical experience as these two. No doubt that a large part of the audience will be law students and professionals, but Strang and Buting have also succeeded in making the general public interested in what happens in our justice system, which is a great thing. More people need to know what the heck is happening in our criminal justice system and this documentary laid bare all of the corruption and lack of ethics that can occur if the police want to see a particular person behind bars. Be aware that this happened to a white man, albeit one who is very low on the social ladder in his community. If this could happen to Avery, why should anyone be surprised that things like this happen everyday, particularly to people of color and anyone else who doesn’t have the intelligence or financial means to defend him/herself or hire a good lawyer?
I too would absolutely go see the guys talk.
What many people are failing to understand is that Making a Murderer is not about whether Avery is guilty or innocent, but about the HUGE inadequacies and failings of the current system.
Thanks for this. I repeatedly tell people this, but they keep saying I haven’t heard the evidence that he is guilty. I don’t know whether he did it or not, but the important thing to take from the documentary is that due to the failing of the legal system means that we will probably never know for sure.
And still, a woman was brutally murdered and a family has no justice for her.
They seem to think they have.
“Of course, I am kind of a true crime fanatic, I fall asleep to Forensic Files on HLN every night.”
It’s nice to know others do this as well!!
3rd one here! I am a fanatic about true crime!
I have a horrible crush on Buting, but the pre-sale tickets in my city are $50 each, so I don’t know.
I loved the series, hope there’s a second.
What is the basis for any new appeal?