The lawyer acting on behalf of Making a Murderer's Steven Avery has claimed the victim may have been killed by her abusive partner.
Attorney Kathleen Zellner has made the claims as part of Avery's appeal against his life sentence for the rape and murder of 25-year-old Teresa Halbach in 2005.
According to ABC2Wbay, Zellner has submitted a 1,272-page document in which she says Halbach's ex-boyfriend was physically abusive during the relationship and lied to police when interviewed.
Credit: Netflix/Making A Murderer
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She says the man had injuries to his hands, including scratches made by fingernails, and had given cops a fake name.
Zellner goes on to say that the ex-boyfriend had access to both Avery's property and Halbach's house, so he could have had 'complete control of evidence'. She claims the victim's ex helped police to find the car at the Avery residence, adding he had motive and opportunity.
The documents will also claim the ex-partner deleted some voicemails from Halbach's phone after she disappeared.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice said: "We are confident that, as with Mr. Avery's prior motions, this one also is without merit and will be rejected once it is considered by the court. We continue to send our condolences to the Halbach family as they have to endure Avery's ridiculous attempts to re-litigate his guilty verdict and sentence."
Avery was arrested and charged with kidnapping, murder, sexual assault and mutilation of a corpse, alongside his nephew 16-year-old Brendan Dassey.
The prosecution claimed Avery invited his teenage nephew to sexually assault and attempt to kill Halbach. It was then claimed they took her to the garage to shoot her before burning the body.
Avery and Dassey were handed life sentences after being found guilty. Dassey's conviction was later overturned, however he remains in prison while the state appeals that decision.
Featured Image Credit: Netflix/Making a Murderer
