A federal appeals court on Thursday blocked the release of a Wisconsin inmate found guilty years ago, of helping his uncle kill a young woman. A panel of three judges ruled that Brendan Dassey must remain behind bars pending resolution of his appeal.
Dassey was 16 when he confessed to helping his uncle, Steven Avery, rape and murder Theresa Halbach in 2005. His attorneys argued from the beginning that the confession was coerced.
A judge threw out the conviction in August, and ordered Dassey released within 90 days, barring an appeal. Wisconsin prosecutors did appeal but this week, the judge ordered the state to free Dassey anyway. The state filed an emergency motion, arguing Dassey's confession was voluntary and that he poses a danger to society.
The case gained national exposure with the release of the documentary "Making a Murderer" last December.
