Family Bonds

The Family of Stephen Avery is putting up their business and land for mortgage in an attempt to get Stephen out on bail.

For my non- Wisconsinite readers, Avery was charged with the death of Theresa Halbach. Avery's story is unique in that he was wrongfully imprisoned for 18 years for an earlier charge. He was released in 2003 when DNA evidence proved that Avery was wrongfully convicted.

At the time of Avery's release, his family was overcome with joy. There were several interviews, and shortly there after, the Avery family's 15 minutes were up.

Then, in 2005, Halbach's body went missing. Then a report came out that she was last seen on Avery's property....Avery is charged with an unrelated gun charge...... human remains are found on the property...... Avery's DNA is found in her car, and her DNA is found on a car key in his room.......

So all that happens in a matter of a few weeks. Avery is arrested in connection to the disappearance/death - and his family goes on camera to announce their sadness, and shock over what happened. One family member even said on camera, before the arrest, in regards to the possible guilt of Avery, something to the effect that 'maybe he should go away for a while. He's a changed man, and I'm not sure I like who he's become'. Since his arrest, family members have distanced themselves as far away as possible.

Until now. Now they're willing to risk everything just to put him out on bail. I don't get it. Avery says that they've planted evidence against him because he has a 36 million dollar lawsuit out against the county. Does his family believe him?

Planting evidence here makes no sense. The county was the one that came up with the idea for DNA testing when it became available - and he' s not mad at the sheriffs department of the county - they only arrested him, they didn't prosecute him. So why would they go out of their way to plant this evidence. He can still sue the county for the 36 million if he's in jail. He's going to win anyway, so busting him on some bogus charge won't affect that original case..... so the 'planting' of evidence is horse hockey.

This whole thing is one weird, sick story. The other interesting side note is that he has two public defenders for this trial. The family is trying to come up with half a million dollars to get him out on bail, but they didn't lift a finger to pay for a lawyer.

And being that this is one of the more famous cases here in Wisconsin to come around in a long time - what does that say about your chances if you can't get an attention whore, media mongering, spotlight loving lawyer to offer his services for you? Hell, even Jeffrey Dahmer got Gerry Boyle to defend him. Where's is this sick story going to go next?