The Latest: Wisconsin appeals ‘Making a Murderer’ release

MADISON, Wis. – The Latest on a federal judge’s order to release a man convicted in the case featured in the Netflix series “Making a Murderer:” (all times local):

4:10 p.m.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice has asked a federal appeals court to block the release of a prison inmate featured in the Netflix series “Making a Murderer.”

Brendan Dassey was convicted in 2007 of helping his uncle, Steven Avery, kill photographer Teresa Halbach. U.S. Magistrate Judge William Duffin overturned Dassey’s conviction in August, ruling investigators coerced him into confessing.

DOJ attorneys have argued he should remain in prison while they pursue an appeal, but Duffin ordered him released Monday. The judge on Wednesday ordered Dassey released by 8 p.m. Friday.

The DOJ filed an emergency motion with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday afternoon, which asks the court to block Dassey’s impending release.

Agency attorneys argued Dassey’s confession was voluntary and Duffin said in August that Dassey would remain in prison during an appeal.

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11:25 a.m.

A federal judge has ordered that a man convicted in the case featured in the Netflix series “Making a Murderer” must be released from prison by Friday evening.

U.S. Magistrate Judge William Duffin overturned Brendan Dassey’s conviction in August, saying investigators tricked Brendan Dassey into confessing he helped his uncle, Steven Avery, rape, kill and mutilate photographer Teresa Halbach in 2005. State attorneys have been arguing he should remain in prison while they pursue an appeal.

Duffin ordered him released Monday. The state Justice Department asked Duffin on Tuesday to stay his ruling, but Duffin issued an order Wednesday saying Dassey must go free by 8 p.m. Friday.

The state’s Justice Department planned to file an emergency motion with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago seeking to block Dassey’s release.