Convicting a Murderer

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.

For those interested in seeing more about the Avery case without having to deep dive into your own research, this is a good watch so far. I have no opinion on Candace Owens either way, but I will say she is my least favorite part of this show. Points of the case they want to hammer home shows her repeating herself multiple times, and I find a lot of the jumps to her talking are out of place and mess with the flow of the show.

I'm enjoying how the show makes the rebuttal to Making a Murderer (MaM). Showing scenes from MaM and how their recordings are edited was a nice touch. Making the case that MaM intended to leave out key parts of conversations and recordings is enough for to watch the show by itself in my opinion. I'm also thoroughly enjoying having interviews with people that support both sides of the case.

Overall, the pacing seems a little slow, and Candace's frequent appearances retract from my score. If you like true crime, definitely worth a watch.

Edit (10/5/23): As the series goes on, I like the pacing more. Definitely tuning in every week until it finishes!

As a 20 year investigator, so many things about Making A Murderer didn't make any sense to me. Convicting A Murderer answered those questions for me and told the whole truth. Complete interviews, complete police reports, actual forensic evidence, and common sense are finally being shown to the public.

Candace Owens haters will be happy to find that she is only a small part of this. People who have actually been victimized, and/or their loved ones, comprise the interviews in the film and provide evidentiary support for the correct conviction that has taken place. Although justice has been served, to some extent, my heart breaks for the children involved.

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.