Convicting a Murderer

If you were one of the many millions who watched Making a Murderer (MaM) back in 2015 and became interested in the Avery case, then you owe it to yourself to take a look at Convicting a Murderer (CaM) and compare the two before reaching any conclusions.

For me, after watching CaM, it would seem that the producers of MaM have some serious questions to answer. The Manitowoc Police Department are right to be angry for their deliberate misrepresentations in the Avery case, simply to garner more viewers and pocket a few extra bucks at the expense of the reputation of local law enforcement. Their defense always seems to be, "We are storytellers, not journalists", and that is exactly what they do: they tell a story. The only problem is, it is not an entirely true one, and CaM does an excellent good job of filling in the blanks that its predecessor chose to ignore.

As CaM reveals over the course of 10 comprehensive episodes, rather than simply tell the whole story of the case, the makers of MaM instead chose to leave many important details out, and flat out manipulated many of the actual courtroom interactions to fit their own agenda. Sure, the police did make some mistakes, and none of them will be rivalling Sherlock Holmes for plaudits, but it really isn't a very complicated case - though MaM made it seem so.

As someone who made up their mind about Avery years ago, I didn't need any further revelations from CaM to support my original position. But what CaM does reveal is just how easy it is for the media to manipulate people. Of course, there have always been such people in society. Rest assured, those protesting on the streets outside the courtroom are exactly the same kind of people who stood in the crowd 2,000 years ago pleading for another murderer to be set free.

Nobody likes to see anybody wrongfully convicted of any crime that they did not do. But, in this case, I am sure that the family of Teresa Halbach regret every day that Avery's original 1985 conviction was overturned.

And that is the sad, sad truth of the real story.

Watched making a murderer? Get ready to get mad. Loads of evidence not shown. Interviews edited to fit an agenda. A history of violence and sexual assault never mentioned. These aren't just rumors being told, these are news clippings from the time of events, interviews, and cases he pled guilty to. Phone conversations from prison. First 3 episodes are infuriating because you thought for years that Steven Avery was innocent or at least needed a new trial. Now, you're getting a new look at this man. A man that went out of his way to see this young girl many times in the span of a couple of months before she was killed. Also this isn't drawn out like the two seasons of making a murder which is nice. Candace Owens does a great job getting to the point and proving that Steven isn't who we all thought he was. Run, don't walk!

There's a ton of stuff the jury saw that Netflix kept from their audience simply because it went contrary to their attempt to exonerate Steven. Watch this and see for yourself. When I watched Making a Murderer I thought Avery was guilty but by no means was that my verdict because of what I saw on the docuseries. Netflix drove hard the idea that the police contrived to frame Steven for the murder of Theresa with the motive that they didn't want to have to pay him the settlement for having served 18 years in prison for a false claim against him. I saw this as flimsy, firstly because it credits these officers in question as genius masterminds of the highest order secondly because such a plan itself, as it was supposedly executed, relies so heavily upon an ability to predict Avery's actions as well as Theresa's. Given that and the circumstantial evidence against Avery I didn't buy the narrative Netflix was selling. Now having watched the first 4 episodes of Convicting a Murderer it's very easy to see why he's sitting in prison today, why he has had no success with juries and appeals, namely, the evidence speaks for itself.

Have greatly enjoyed this documentary through the first four episodes. If you're not a fan of Candace that's ok. She only provides minor commentary here and there. What's more interesting is hearing from those in Steven's family...there's a lot that was cut out of Netflix's interpretation. So it's good to see full context on some aspects of the case. If you want to be well rounded on this story this is a real must watch so you can at least say you've heard both sides. I can already say that I have a much better understanding of how cars are crushed, Avery's history towards women, and the insane behavior of this family. Do yourself a favor and watch this series.

What sets this sequel apart is its commitment to presenting a balanced perspective. While "Making a Murderer" focused on the defense's perspective, "Convicting a Murderer" invites viewers to consider the opposing viewpoint, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the case. This balanced approach challenges preconceived notions and leaves viewers with a more nuanced perspective on the intricacies of the justice system.

In this sequel, the filmmakers maintain their meticulous attention to detail, offering a wealth of new information and insights that will keep true crime enthusiasts and legal aficionados alike on the edge of their seats. "Convicting a Murderer" is not just a sequel; it's a compelling continuation of the "Making a Murderer" saga that adds depth and complexity to an already riveting story.