Jury Finds Dassey Guilty Of Killing Freelance Photographer
Teenager Also Convicted Of 2nd-Degree Sexual Assault, Mutilation Of Corpse
Updated: 4:24 pm CDT April 26,2007
MANITOWOC, Wis. -- A jury has found Brendan Dassey guilty of helping his uncle kill freelance photographer Teresa Halbach and burn her body.
READ: Dassey Juror: It All Fit |
READ: Dassey's Mother Lashes Out After Verdict |
READ: Chronology In Death Of Teresa HalbachDassey was also found guilty of mutilating the corpse and guilty of second-degree sexual assault.The verdict was announced at approximately 10:10 p.m. Wednesday. Dassey, 17, was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and second-degree sexual assault in Halbach's death on Halloween in 2005. The judge had given jurors the option of considering a lesser charge of first-degree reckless homicide, instead of intentional homicide.With the first-degree intentional homicide conviction, Dassey faces a mandatory life term in prison.His uncle, Steven Avery, was found guilty of Halbach's murder last month and is awaiting sentencing in June.Following the reading of the verdict, Halbach's brother, Michael, faced reporters."Hopefully, Teresa can now enjoy her time in heaven rather than worrying about us," Halbach said. "I'm thankful for today, but I'm more thankful for the future. Hopefully, better times are ahead."Lawyers for Dassey, a high school sophomore with a fourth-grade reading level, had argued two seasoned detectives coerced the then-16-year-old into giving a false confession. A doctor testified he was highly suggestible and easily coerced.Prosecutors brought in their own doctor during the nine-day trial to question that assessment. They said Dassey "stood ready and willing to assist" his uncle in Halbach's death.Earlier this week, Dassey testified that he made up a story in confessing to the crimes. His defense team argued the details that he gave to investigators -- which he later recanted -- didn't corroborate the charge of sexual assault.On Tuesday, psychologist Dr. Robert Gordon testified that Dassey is a slow learner who's also passive and subdued. He said that Dassey is also susceptible to making false confessions. Gordon said that Dassey has a history of learning problems and is in the borderline range of intelligence with an IQ of 83.The prosecution has said that they found key pieces of evidence, including leg shackles and handcuffs in the bedroom, that backed up that story. They also noted that Avery cleaned up the room where the assault took place.Halbach, a freelance photographer from St. John in Calumet County, disappeared on Halloween 2005 after going to the Avery family's salvage lot to take photos for Auto Trader Magazine of a van that was for sale.Dassey later recanted his confession in a letter to the judge and refused to testify against his uncle.Dassey is scheduled to be sentenced in August. Avery's sentencing is scheduled for June 1.
Previous Stories:
- April 25, 2007: Jury Gets Case In Dassey Trial
- April 24, 2007: Dassey's Defense Rests; Closing Arguments Begin Wednesday
- April 23, 2007: Dassey Says He Doesn't Know Why He Admitted To Crimes
- April 21, 2007: Judge Refuses To Dismiss Sex Assault Charge In Dassey Trial
- April 20, 2007: Jurors Listen To Dassey's Taped Confession
- April 19, 2007: Jurors Hear Dassey's Voice For First Time
- April 18, 2007: Dassey's Cousin Testifies She Made Up Incriminating Conversation
- April 17, 2007: Investigator Tells Of Finding Bullet With Halbach DNA
- April 17, 2007: Dassey Trial Testimony Reviews Evidence Used To Convict Avery
- April 17, 2007: Prosecutor: Dassey 'Stood Ready' To Help Avery Kill
- April 13, 2007: Jury Selected From Dane County For Dassey Trial
- April 12, 2007: Dassey Telephone Call To Be Used At Trial
- April 11, 2007: Jury Selection Starts Thursday In Trial For Avery's Nephew
- April 5, 2007: Aug. 4, 2006: Dassey Recants Confession In Halbach Murder
- April 5, 2007: May 31, 2006: Halbach Family Sues Avery's Nephew
- April 4, 2007: May 2, 2006: Prosecutor: Dassey Wasn't Forced To Confess
- March 26, 2007: Judge To Decide If Psychologist Can Testify At Dassey's Trial
- March 19, 2007: Spotlight Now Turns To Dassey Trial After Avery's Conviction
- March 16, 2007: Jurors Ask For Testimony From Avery's Nephew
- December 15, 2006: Jury From Outside Manitowoc County Will Hear Dassey Case
- December 14, 2006: Judge To Consider Dismissing Dassey's Statements
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