Frame by Frame: Netflix documentary series compelling, but it's not evidence of guilt, innocence

The Netflix documentary series "Making a Murderer" has made a big impact across the nation-and here in the Twin Cities.
It has been much discussed on social media. And it seems most people have a strong opinion about the guilt or innocence of Steven Avery.
The 10-part series follows the case of Mr. Avery, whose family owns an auto salvage yard in a small Wisconsin town.
In 2003, Avery walked out of prison after serving 18 years for sexual assault and attempted murder. DNA evidence cleared him. There was also some speculation that the local sheriff's department may have mishandled-intentionally or not-the initial investigation.
Avery sued the sheriff's department and district attorney for $36 million. He was subsequently arrested in the murder of Teresa Halbach, whose vehicle and burned remains were found on the Avery property. His nephew was also arrested after being questioned about the slaying. The young man-who has been described as mentally deficient-confessed but changed his story and recanted several different times.
Both were convicted. Avery was sent back to prison four years after being released-this time sentenced to life without parole.
The documentary series took years to make, and the producers shot hours and hours of footage. The trial itself lasted six weeks with nearly 250 hours of testimony. But the public only saw a small portion of everything that was filmed. And what viewers saw made a lot of people think Avery was framed by the sheriff's department with the complicity of prosecutors and even, in one case, a private attorney appointed to represent Avery's nephew.
Since then, there have been petition drives and letter campaigns to get Avery freed from prison. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has refused clemency and President Barack Obama has had to tell petitioners he lacks the power to commute state prison sentences.
And there have been calls for investigators and prosecutors in the case to face charges as well.
Pretty much a rush to judgment. Pretty much what many think happened to Avery.
Time to calm down. What was shown certainly raises doubts about Avery's guilt and the motives of those who sent him to prison. But it doesn't tell the whole story. Not by a long shot. The filmmakers edited the footage to tell the story they wanted told.
"Making a Murderer" is an emotional roller coaster. It succeeds in drawing the viewer into the story. It is a very effective piece of filmmaking But don't mistake it for evidence of guilt or innocence, right or wrong. It's isn't.

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