For the first time, Steven Avery‘s cellmate is speaking out about the Making a Murderer subject, calling him a “disgusting human being.”
In 2015 prison documents obtained by a Milwaukee, Wisc. radio station, Avery’s cellmate at the maximum-security Waupun Correctional Institution, Jason Thomaschaske, had some choice words about the convicted murderer. Aside from calling him a “disgusting human being,” Thomaschaske said “I want to kill this guy,” and said he was outright “disrespectful.”
READ MORE: Steven Avery’s lawyer: It’s “fairly obvious” who killed Teresa Halbach
Netflix’s Making a Murderer is a 10-part documentary series that follows the case of 53-year-old Wisconsin native Avery. He is currently serving a life sentence (without the possibility for parole) for the murder of Teresa Halbach and illegally possessing a firearm. Avery, who had previously been jailed for 18 years for a sexual assault in 1985, was exonerated in that case by newly discovered DNA evidence in 2003.
Two years later, Avery brought a US$36-million lawsuit against Manitowoc County, Wis., for the wrongful conviction. Making a Murderer calls into question the investigation and trial that put Avery and his nephew, Brendan Dassey, behind bars, and alleges that the investigators and police in the case planted evidence and otherwise manipulated the outcome of the trial.
READ MORE: Juror involved in Making a Murderer homicide case stands by the verdict
Thomaschaske wasn’t the only one fed up with Avery’s behaviour in jail; court documents show Avery accused his brother Earl Avery of killing Halbach, and while Earl now stands by his brother, things were very different two years ago.
According to the prison documents, Earl Avery contacted Waupun to let them know Avery was violating the order not to contact him. The prison had already told Avery twice “to cease any and all contact with Earl Avery,” but it was discovered that he had been mailing threatening letters to Earl and his ex-wife.
As is written in the documents, Avery was “intentionally doing things to incite” his cellmate. Avery allegedly told Thomaschaske, “Go ahead and do something, then I can sue WCI for not protecting me.”
These reports were submitted a full three months prior to Making a Murderer streaming on Netflix, so Thomaschaske wasn’t fame-seeking, but it should be noted that he has a lengthy criminal record.
READ MORE: Ex-detective says Steven Avery was framed, serial killer responsible for Teresa Halbach death
He has been arrested 15 times in Wisconsin (according to his arrest records), with the oldest infraction taking place in 1997 and the most recent in 2014, for burglary. He was also charged with another count of armed burglary in 2013, according to WiscNews.
WPI is reportedly working to separate the two cellmates.
Avery’s lawyer Kathleen Zellner, who has been very active on Twitter with newfound evidence and insights, has vowed to get her client out of jail altogether.
Over 400,000 people have signed online petitions to see Avery freed or pardoned.
https://twitter.com/ZellnerLaw/status/696695258613182464
In early February, Manitowoc County asked for more time to gather documents related to Avery’s case, as he seeks a new trial. The Wisconsin Court of Appeals has granted the request, and the county has until Mar. 2, 2016 to comply.
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