Making a Murderer's Brendan Dassey files clemency petition: 'This is his best shot'

Making a Murderer's Brendan Dassey is seeking clemency from Wisconsin's new governor in what his attorney calls his "best shot."

Dassey, who was convicted of first-degree murder in 2007 and sentenced to life in prison, is filing a petition for executive clemency with Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D), his attorney, Laura Nirider, announced Wednesday, The New York Times reports.

His case gained nationwide attention and outrage when it was covered on the wildly-popular Netflix documentary series Making a Murderer, which debuted in 2015. Dassey, who was convicted at age 16 and is now 29, confessed to the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach but maintains that his confession was coerced. A judge in 2016 overtuned his conviction and said his confession was coerced, but after the state appealed, his conviction was upheld. Dassey's uncle, Steven Avery, is also serving a life sentence for Halbach's murder.

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Asked during an appearance on CBS This Morning whether this petition is Dassey's last option, Nirider said, 'You know, I'll never say never. But this is our best option ... This is his best shot."

Nirider also expressed hope that Evers, who assumed office in January, will grant Dassey clemency because of his experience in education. "He's been around special education students like Brendan," she noted.

On the same day as this announcement, Dassey appeared on the Wrongful Conviction podcast Wednesday, telling host Jason Flom, "I just wanted it all over with, so I said whatever they wanted to hear." Dassey will not be eligible for parole until 2048.