Making a Murderer: Here's Where You Can Sign the Petitions to Pardon Steven Avery
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If you haven't heard of Steven Avery, you haven't been paying attention to pop culture in the past month. He's the currently incarcerated subject of Netflix's controversial docuseries, Making a Murderer, and thanks to the show, there has been some serious movement in his case. After serving 18 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, Avery was exonerated, only to find himself convicted of murder several years later. Outraged viewers are claiming that he didn't receive a fair trial and they're calling on the public to support a retrial for Avery. Take a look below to see how you can support him, and get the answers yo your questions about Making a Murderer.
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The Change.org Petition
Colorado resident Michael Seyedian started the "Free Steven Avery" petition on Change.org after viewing Netflix's documentary. The petition, which is aimed at President Barack Obama and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, claims that "Avery should be exonerated at once by pardon, and the Manitowoc County officials complicit in his two false imprisonments should be held accountable to the highest extent of the U.S. criminal and civil justice systems." It has garnered over 450,000 signatures so far. Seyedian has also started a similar Change.org petition to free Brendan Dassey.
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The White House Petition
"Pardon Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey for Their Alleged Involvement in the Murder of Teresa Halbach" is the full title of this petition, aimed at the Obama administration. Initially posted on Dec. 20, the petition has earned nearly 130,000 signatures, plus an official response from The White House. The response cited the U.S. Constitution, which states: "The President . . . shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States." This means that the president can't pardon Avery, Governor Wilson needs to do it. Unfortunately for Avery, Wilson is actively against issuing pardons. Because of the response, the petition is now closed.
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The iPetitions Petition
Another petition, which has gained 4,874 signatures, resides on iPetition.com. "I have no idea how anyone can stand for such ignorance in 2015," claimed Mark Daniels, who initiated it. "This is horrific and people need to do something."
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The StevenAvery.org Petition
Following the explosion of Making a Murderer, Avery's team has set up a personal website. There, you can sign a petition to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which says, "I think Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey should get a new trial or at very least have you look over both cases." You can also donate money to his cause there.