AVERY TO BE CHARGED WITH MURDER
Monday, November 14th, 2005 -- 11:32 AM
Investigators announced Friday afternoon Steven Avery, the man freed two years ago after spending 18 years in prison for a sex assault he didn't commit, will be charged with the murder of Teresa Halbach.Halbach was last seen on Halloween. Avery was among the last people to see her when she visited his home that day to take photos for Auto Trader magazine of a vehicle he was selling.
During a press conference, Special prosecutor Ken Kratz said DNA evidence, including Avery's blood, was found inside Halbach's car, which had been found at a salvage yard owned by the Avery family in Manitowoc County. In addition, DNA evidence linked Avery to the car's ignition key, which was found hidden in Avery's bedroom. The search warrants also say investigators found charred material that may be a cell phone and digital camera, burned clothing remnants, metal handcuffs and leg irons, duct tape and pornography. Those items were recovered somewhere on the Avery property.
There was also evidence someone attempted to burn the body.
Avery told reporters over the weekend he feared investigators were planting evidence against him in retaliation for a $36-million wrongful conviction lawsuit he filed. He remains jailed on firearms charges.
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