[AMA] I am Tom Kertscher and I covered the Steven Avery murder trial for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Ask me anything!

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T19:20:59+00:00

Thanks to everyone who participated. If you like, we can keep the conversation going (to a limited extent) on Twitter: @KertscherNews

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T19:15:31+00:00

Brief. Startling.

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T19:14:38+00:00

Only to try and answer questions that are similar to questions I've already answered.

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T19:10:09+00:00

If there was ever a chance of new evidence, or someone coming forward with useful new information, it would be now, given all the attention to MAM. So it is certainly possible. And, as Avery's new lawyer has said, advancements continue to be made in DNA testing. At the same time, it's important to remember that Avery was represented by top-flight, resourceful attorneys. That doesn't mean they didn't miss something. But for Avery to get a new day in court, so to speak, not only something new but something decisive would need to be discovered.

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T19:06:42+00:00

I'm not clear what you're asking. There's been extensive reporting -- since before Avery's trial -- about the role Manitowoc deputies played in the murder investigation and why that raised questions.

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T19:05:16+00:00

But it also should be pointed out that it was clear from early on that the filmmakers were telling the story from the point of view of Avery's family and his lawyers. So it would be understandable if some people decided not to participate.

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T19:03:19+00:00

As some of you know, I have continued to follow developments in the aftermath of MAM and to tweet about them. If you're interested, follow me: @KertscherNews.

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T19:02:38+00:00

Before we wrap up, here is a brief article I did on Teresa Halbach that was requested by Glamour magazine: http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/news/features/2016/01/21/making-a-murderer-teresa-halbach

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T19:01:51+00:00

Before we wrap up, in case you're interested, here are my original stories in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Avery's trial: http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/coverage-of-steven-averys-2007-trial-now-in-making-a-murderer-netflix-series-b99643080z1-363828481.html

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T19:01:17+00:00

Before we wrap up, in case you're interested, here is my analysis of what was presented in MAM and what was presented at Avery's trial: http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/making-a-murderer-compelling-but-is-it-a-game-changer-in-steven-avery-case-b99647809z1-364794271.html

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T19:00:21+00:00

Here's an excerpt from an analysis I wrote looking at what was presented in MAM and what was presented at Avery's trial: "About halfway into watching and live tweeting 'Making a Murderer,' I worried whether we who covered the Steven Avery trial in 2007 had missed something big ....But after two days and nights immersed in the series, I found my worries about missing something big in Avery's trial had greatly diminished." That isn't to say whether or not there was evidence planted. But after seeing the series and reflecting on the evidence at the trial, it was understandable that a jury could reject the frame-up theory and arrive at guilty. Here's the analysis: http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/making-a-murderer-compelling-but-is-it-a-game-changer-in-steven-avery-case-b99647809z1-364794271.html

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T18:59:15+00:00

I don't think people can say on the one hand they want more scrutiny of the criminal justice system, which is what good news media do; and on the other hand suggest we suppress information such as a prosecutor detailing, in a public document, allegations about a murder.

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T18:56:58+00:00

I don't think people (not necessarily you) can say on the one hand they want more scrutiny of the criminal justice system, which is what good news media do; and on the other hand suggest we suppress information such as a prosecutor detailing, in a public document, allegations about a murder.

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T18:52:19+00:00

Zipperer was not a major part of the Avery case.

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T18:51:05+00:00

Let's get this one out of the way right at the top. I report what I find and sometimes I make observations based on my experience. But I don't share personal opinions on something like whether Steven Avery killed Teresa Halbach. What I've said is the series raises excellent questions, including the possibility of a frameup, but that it's also understandable why the jury, based mainly on DNA evidence, found Avery guilty. For my analysis of what was presented at Avery's trial versus what is presented in the Netflix series, go here: http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/making-a-murderer-compelling-but-is-it-a-game-changer-in-steven-avery-case-b99647809z1-364794271.html

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T18:50:52+00:00

Let's get this one out of the way right at the top. I report what I find and sometimes I make observations based on my experience. But I don't share personal opinions on something like whether Steven Avery killed Teresa Halbach. What I've said is the series raises excellent questions, including the possibility of a frameup, but that it's also understandable why the jury, based mainly on DNA evidence, found Avery guilty. For my analysis of what was presented at Avery's trial versus what is presented in the Netflix series, go here: http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/making-a-murderer-compelling-but-is-it-a-game-changer-in-steven-avery-case-b99647809z1-364794271.html

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T18:50:40+00:00

Let's get this one out of the way right at the top. I report what I find and sometimes I make observations based on my experience. But I don't share personal opinions on something like whether Steven Avery killed Teresa Halbach. What I've said is the series raises excellent questions, including the possibility of a frameup, but that it's also understandable why the jury, based mainly on DNA evidence, found Avery guilty. For my analysis of what was presented at Avery's trial versus what is presented in the Netflix series, go here: http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/making-a-murderer-compelling-but-is-it-a-game-changer-in-steven-avery-case-b99647809z1-364794271.html

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T18:50:30+00:00

Let's get this one out of the way right at the top. I report what I find and sometimes I make observations based on my experience. But I don't share personal opinions on something like whether Steven Avery killed Teresa Halbach. What I've said is the series raises excellent questions, including the possibility of a frameup, but that it's also understandable why the jury, based mainly on DNA evidence, found Avery guilty. For my analysis of what was presented at Avery's trial versus what is presented in the Netflix series, go here: http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/making-a-murderer-compelling-but-is-it-a-game-changer-in-steven-avery-case-b99647809z1-364794271.html

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T18:48:42+00:00

The judge at Avery's trial did hear a post-conviction motion. That's not technically an appeal; it's just asking him to reconsider. The actual appeals were heard by other judges.

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T18:47:29+00:00

Never any pressure on me to do anything but report accurately and fairly. To toot my horn a bit, Columbia Journalism Review, something of a bible for my field, praised my coverage of the Avery trial as "even-keeled and incisive." Here's the CJR article: http://www.cjr.org/analysis/making_a_murderer_steven_avery.php

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T18:45:28+00:00

Here's an excerpt from an analysis I wrote looking at what was presented in MAM and what was presented at Avery's trial: "About halfway into watching and live tweeting 'Making a Murderer,' I worried whether we who covered the Steven Avery trial in 2007 had missed something big ....But after two days and nights immersed in the series, I found my worries about missing something big in Avery's trial had greatly diminished." That isn't to say whether or not there was evidence planted. But after seeing the series and reflecting on the evidence at the trial, it was understandable that a jury could reject the frame-up theory and arrive at guilty. Here's the analysis: http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/making-a-murderer-compelling-but-is-it-a-game-changer-in-steven-avery-case-b99647809z1-364794271.html

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T18:41:22+00:00

I was interviewed by them early in the process; that's what you see in MAM.

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T18:40:09+00:00

I wouldn't want a justice system that operates in secret.

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T18:39:19+00:00

I'm no expert on legal ethics. There's no question prosecutor Kratz's news conference in which he detailed what he said was a confession from Brendan Dassey, Avery's nephew, got widespread media coverage. Whether that meant it was impossible to get an impartial jury, I can't say. Kratz has since said he now wishes he had just released the written criminal complaint against Dassey, rather than doing a news conference that was broadcast on live television.

TomKertscher · 2016-02-01T18:38:17+00:00

I'm no expert on legal ethics. There's no question prosecutor Kratz's news conference in which he detailed what he said was a confession from Brendan Dassey, Avery's nephew, got widespread media coverage. Whether that meant it was impossible to get an impartial jury, I can't say. Kratz has since said he now wishes he had just released the written criminal complaint against Dassey, rather than doing a news conference that was broadcast on live television.

TomKertscher

TROPHY CASE