Familiarize yourself with the facts of the Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey prosecutions for their roles in the death of Theresa Halbach. You can find a wealth of information online and the facts of the case as it relates to Brendan Dassey are set forth in the briefs and opinions filed in the appeals cases. Look over the appellate opinions and articles provided for you below. From those materials you will see that Brendan Dassey's representation in the trial court by appointed counsel was controversial. An appeal was decided by the Wisconsin District Two Court of Appeals. After that court ruled against Brendan Dassey, a Petition for Review was filed with the Wisconsin Supreme Court requesting that the Court hear the case. The Wisconsin Supreme Court turned down that request. Brandon Dassey's attorneys then appealed to the federal district court in the eastern district of Wisconsin. The decision of that court was in Dassey's favor, but the State of Wisconsin appealed to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The decision of the three judge panel was a 2-1 decision in Dassey's favor, but that decision was then heard by the full 7 judge panel in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals at the request of the State of Wisconsin. That court ruled 4-3 against Dassey and Dassey's request of the United Supreme Court to hear his appeal from that decision was denied.

Explain which court you feel made the most correct decision about the case and why you feel that way. 

Discuss your reaction to the time, legal resources and attention given to the various appeals, including what effect you feel the attention and publicity about the case because of the Netflix series might have had on the appeal process.