Steven Avery case takes nother nasty turn
the milwaukee journal sentinel ^
Posted on 03/02/2006 7:36:55 PM PST by hercuroc
Avery's nephew helped him rape, murder woman, prosecutor says 16-year-old charged in death of Teresa Halbach By TOM HELD
Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
Steven Avery (right) and his nephew Brendan Dassey (left) sit at a kitchen table with Avery's parents before Steven Avery's arrest last November.
Steven Avery
Criminal Complaint State of Wisconsin vs. Steven A. Avery (pdf)
Archived Coverage Archive: Coverage of the search and investigation of Teresa Halbach's death
Avery Background 9/11/03: Steven Avery tastes his first freedom in more than 17 years 10/12/04: Suit filed over wrongful conviction
A 16-year-old nephew of Steven Avery was charged today with helping to rape and murder Teresa Halbach in Avery's bedroom as she pleaded for her life, then taking part in burning her body.
Brendan Dassey was charged today with three counts: Party to the crime of first-degree intentional homicide, party to the crime of mutilation of a corpse and party to the crime of first-degree sexual assault.
According to Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz, Dassey heard screams coming from his uncle's trailer, as he approached to deliver a letter.
Halbach's screams for help became louder as he approached, Kratz said. After knocking, the boy waited until Avery came to the door. His uncle, covered in sweat, then asked the youth if he wanted to participate in raping Halbach, Kratz said.
Walking into the trailer, Dassey saw the young woman shackled to the bed, and heard her again begging for her life, Kratz said.
Avery directed his nephew to rape the woman, the prosecutor said. Dassey did so, while Avery watched from a doorway. The older man then complimented the 16-year-old.
Kratz said the pair went to another room, where Avery described to his nephew his plans to kill Halbach. He retrieved a butcher knife from the kitchen and stabbed Halbach in the stomach.
Again directing his nephew, Avery gave him the knife and told him to cut Halbach's throat, which he did, Kratz said.
The pair then burned the body, Kratz said.
Dassey will make his initial appearence tomorrow.
Kratz said that Avery, who is already facing charges of first-degree intentional homicide and mutilation of a corpse in the death, would also be charged with first-degree sexual assault and false imprisonment. Avery is in court again on the charges on March 17.
The prosecutor said Avery had called Auto Trader Magazine that morning and asked for a woman to be sent out to take a picture of a truck he had for sale. Avery asked for the same woman, Hallbach, who had been out at his property previously.