Ep 3. Plight of the Accused

In Making a Murderer season 1 episode 3, titled "Plight of the Accused," the focus shifts to the defense teams of both Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey as they navigate the complex legal system in their fight against the state's case. The episode opens with the introduction of Avery's new lawyer, Dean Strang, who immediately begins to challenge the evidence against his client. Meanwhile, Dassey's appointed lawyer comes under scrutiny for her lack of experience and apparent incompetence.

The episode shows the lengths to which Strang and his co-counsel, Jerry Buting, go to build a compelling case for Avery. They hire experts to examine physical evidence, such as the car allegedly belonging to Teresa Halbach, the victim in the case, and the bonfire in which the prosecution claims Avery burned her body. The defense contends that the evidence against Avery is either circumstantial or derived from potentially unreliable sources, such as Dassey's conflicting confessions.

At the same time, the episode highlights the challenges facing Dassey's defense team. His lawyer, Len Kachinsky, makes several questionable moves, including giving a television interview in which he appears to be undermining his client's defense and failing to file a motion against the admissibility of Dassey's confession. Kachinsky is eventually removed from the case, and Dassey is assigned a new lawyer, who faces an uphill battle in trying to refute the prosecution's narrative.

"Plight of the Accused" paints a stark picture of the American justice system and its potential for injustice. The episode illustrates the vulnerabilities of the accused, particularly those who lack the financial resources to mount a robust defense. It highlights the power dynamics involved in a criminal trial, where the state holds the upper hand and the defense is often on the defensive. Through interviews with legal experts and family members of the accused, the episode explores the emotional toll of being falsely accused and the difficulty of obtaining justice in a system that appears stacked against them.

Overall, "Plight of the Accused" is a powerful episode that underscores the importance of due process and the need for a fair and unbiased legal system. It offers a nuanced portrayal of the legal battles at the heart of the Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey cases and reveals the human consequences of a flawed justice system.