The producers of Netflix's controversial Steven Avery documentary series Making A Murderer fired back Sunday at critics who say their indictment of the criminal justice system is distorted and paints Avery in too favorable a light.
"This is history repeating itself," co-director Laura Ricciardi told TV writers in Pasadena. "The media is demonizing this man to prove his guilt."
Making a Murderer, which has caused a media storm in the month since its release, traces the story of Avery, a Wisconsin man who served 18 years for a 1985 rape, was exonerated by DNA evidence in 2003 and two years later was arrested for and convicted of murder.
He is now serving life on that second conviction. Ricciardi said Avery has asked the warden for permission to see their series and it was denied.
The documentary series, which Ricciardi and co-director Moira Demos spent close to a decade filming, suggests the justice system made numerous errors, some seemingly intentional, in both the cases against Avery.
They also say Avery himself wasn't their focus.
"We didn't set out to exonerate or convict anyone," said Ricciardi. "Our focus was on how the criminal justice system works."
Their conclusion was not reassuring, they say.
"It's clear the system has serious problems that need attention," said Demos. "The problem is writ large across our country."
To many viewers, Making A Murderer raised at least reasonable doubt about Avery's guilt. Online petitions began calling for a review of his case, which is currently under appeal.
This response in turn sparked a backlash, with former prosecutor Jeannine Pirro, HLN's Nancy Grace and other reporters charging the series hadn't told the full story.
Grace said Making a Murderer leaves out key evidence against Avery in the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach. She also interviewed Avery's fiancé Jodi Stachowski, who says in the documentary that she believes he's innocent, but tells Grace she now thinks he's guilty,
Demos said Stachowski's comments in the documentary "are an accurate representation of what she said when we interviewed her, nine years ago."
Asked about another charge, that Making a Murderer ignored some of the evidence, Ricciardi said it was "impossible to present every bit of evidence," but that the overall representation was fair.
"We approached this the way journalists do," he told TV writers in Pasadena. "We talked to the people involved, we went to primary sources, we checked our facts."
She said that contrary to recent comments from some of the prosecutors in the case, they were all given "multiple opportunities" to talk about what happened.
Demos tackled one other criticism, that the documentary downplayed past accusations of domestic violence against Avery.
"How is any of that relevant," she asked, "to his right to a fair trial?"
While Demos stressed that "We don't see this as advocacy journalism. . . it's not taking sides," she said she understands why it sparked responses like a free-Avery movement.
"It's clear people were very affected," she said. "Maybe they saw something like that as a first step. But we're urging people to talk more deeply about how they can get involved.
"It's a story with conflicting narratives. We want people to embrace that ambiguity."
Making A Murderer included a note that there could be further episodes, depending on future developments.
Ricciardi said Sunday she and Demos had talked with Avery by phone over the last few weeks, taping the calls for potential use. At the moment, she said, nothing concrete is planned.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.