Judge Orders Further Scientific Testing in Steven Avery Case

Steven Avery‘s attorney, Kathleen Zelnner, announced late Wednesday afternoon that a judge entered an order that will allow for further scientific testing to proceed in his case. Avery was convicted of murdering freelance photographer Teresa Halbach in 2007.  His story gained nationwide attention after Netflix released the hit series “Making a Murderer.” He has always maintained his innocence. Zellner took on his case following the release of the docuseries, and believes new scientific testing will eventually set him free.

The order specifically states that all scientific testing will be done at Avery’s expense. The evidence that will be released for possible further testing includes:

• bloodstain cutting from RAV4 Driver seat Exhibit # 333
•  swab of ignition area RAV4 Exhibit # 336
• bloodstain cutting from passenger seat Exhibit # 331
• Item A10 swab of bloodstain from CD case Exhibit # 332
• swab of bloodstain rear passenger’s door Exhibit # 334
• blood flakes on floor by center console Exhibit # 335
• swab from hood latch Exhibit # 205
• Toyota Rav 4 Key Exhibit # 211
• Blood Vial 1996 sample of Defendant’s blood Exhibit # 478

Avery’s cousin Brendan Dassey was also convicted of killing Halbach. In August, a federal judge threw out Dassey’s conviction because he found his confession to be involuntary.  On November 17, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay blocking Dassey’s release pending an appeal of that decision.

This is a breaking story LawNewz will update with more information as we get it.