It took a long time for me to finish Making a Murderer.  I had to stop from time to time because I got physically sick at times for so many different reasons.  First and foremost, there is a woman who lost her life in an apparent horrific murder.  I feel so badly for Teresa Halbach’s family who has lost such a big part of their lives.  I have experienced the loss of a loved one and it’s something you never get over.  I can’t imagine having constant reminders of her death with all the focus and attention on the person(s) convicted of her murder.

Everything about this case is telling me that Steven Avery did not kill Teresa Halbach.  The part that REALLY makes me sick is what happened to his nephew, Brendan Dassey.  No way do I believe that kid did what he was convicted of.  There is not one stitch of evidence that Brendan had anything to do with this.  That interview by the detectives is the WORST part of the entire series.  I can barely stand to watch the way they manipulate this kid.  It’s inexcusable and disgusting.  They are torturing this 16 year old boy and I have a hard time watching it.

I grew up in a town that had a family very similar to the Avery family.  They kept to themselves and there were rumors about they way they lived.  Their property was really gross and you could tell if they were coming because of their body odor.  In no way, however, did they ever harm anyone.  Their IQ’s were less than normal and sometimes, they were annoying, but they were not murderers and rapists and I don’t believe Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey are either.

Janine Arvizu, lab data quality auditor, I believe, is the key to their freedom.  Depressing, no matter what you believe.  Between this, The Big Short, Spotlight and the Presidential candidates, I need a comfy blanket and a nap!!!!

sarah@wpor.com