Ep 18. Return to Manitowoc County

In Dateline season 25 episode 18, titled Return to Manitowoc County, viewers are taken on a journey to the small town of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. This episode explores the case of Steven Avery, a man who was wrongfully convicted of sexual assault in 1985, and eventually exonerated in 2003 after serving 18 years in prison. Not long after his exoneration, Avery found himself back in the spotlight, this time being accused of murder.

The episode delves into the controversial case that gripped the nation and led to the creation of the Netflix docu-series Making a Murderer. Dateline journalists focus on key players in the case, including Avery's former defense attorneys, Ken Kratz, the prosecutor who convicted him of murder, and other key figures in the investigation.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given a glimpse into Avery's life, including his family members and their struggles after his release from prison. The show also examines the possible motives behind Avery's alleged murder of Teresa Halbach, a young woman who had connections to the Avery family. Despite the fact that Avery maintained his innocence, he was again found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Dateline journalists scour through hundreds of hours of footage and news articles, analyzing the case and seeking answers to questions that have puzzled people for years. They provide a detailed account of the evidence presented during the trial, touching on the controversy surrounding the police investigation and the alleged misconduct of those involved. Viewers will be left to determine whether justice was served in this case or if there was a cover-up.

Overall, Return to Manitowoc County is a heart-wrenching and thought-provoking episode that covers a high-profile case. It aims to provide a clearer understanding of the events surrounding the case and to answer the many questions that remain. The episode is a must-watch for anyone who is interested in true crime and wants to gain insight into one of the most talked-about cases in recent years.