Directors of Making a Murderer Claim State of Wisconsin Almost Ended Production on Netflix Series


If the state of Wisconsin would have had its way, thousands of fans wouldn't be glued to their computer screens and televisions, binge watching Making a Murderer.

In a Twitter Q&A, the show's directors, Moira Demos and Laura Ricciardi, claimed to fans that production on the series was nearly shut down when the state of Wisconsin hit them with a subpoena.

Moira Demos and Laura Ricciardi. Photo: Getty

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"There were many challenges," they tweeted when asked about the most difficult aspect of making the documentary. "One was when the State of Wisconsin tried to subpoena our footage.

"We had to hire a lawyer and file a motion to quash the subpoena which we won. If State had won they would have effectively shut down production."

The Netflix series follows the 2007 conviction of Steven Avery for the murder of Teresa Halbach. Although Avery is currently serving life in prison without the possibility of parole, he's maintained his innocence since being arrested in 2005 – a claim that the documentary hits on heavily, highlighting instances where Wisconsin failed to give Avery a fair trial.

This wasn't the first time, a shocking new admission was made about the case and subsequent series, which has been shrouded in controversy.

In a recent interview on Nancy Grace, Avery's ex-fiancée Jodi Stachowski, who was portrayed in the show as a staunch supporter of the accused killer, changed her tune, calling Avery a "monster."

When asked by producer Natisha Lance, what she wanted people to know, Stachowski responded, "The Truth. What a monster he is, that he's not innocent."

Since the series aired, fans have started petitions for a White House pardon for Avery. As of early January, it had received nearly 117,000 signatures.

The White House responded to the petition's request, telling viewers that the matter is out of their jurisdiction and would have to be handled at the state level.

For more on 'Making A Murderer', pick up the latest issue of WHO, on sale now.

NAJA RAYNE writes for for People.com