A federal judge in Wisconsin has ordered the release of Brendan Dassey, who was imprisoned for life for helping his uncle kill a freelance photographer in 2005 in a case highlighted in the Netflix documentary 'Making a Murderer'.
Based on Judge William Duffin's order, Dassey, who has been incarcerated more than a decade, could be released within 90 days unless prosecutors attempt to retry him.
Dassey, now 27, and his uncle, Steven Avery, were convicted in separate trials of killing photographer Teresa Halbach at Avery's home in Wisconsin.
Ms Halbach's charred remains were found in an incineration barrel and a burn pit on Avery's property
Dassey was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide, second-degree sexual assault and mutilation of a corpse.
Avery was found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and being a felon in possession of a gun, and was sentenced to life in prison.
Dassey was sentenced by the court to life without parole
In August, Judge Duffin ruled the guilty verdict returned by a trial jury in 2007 against Dassey was based on a coerced confession he gave as a 16-year-old with a learning disability.
Duffin said the confession obtained by investigators violated Dassey's constitutional rights.
Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel said that he intends to file an emergency motion seeking a stay of the release order.
The case was the subject of the ten-part Netflix-released documentary 'Making a Murderer', which questioned the handling of the investigation and the motivation of law enforcement officials.
In his ruling, Judge Duffin imposed conditions on Dassey's release, including travel restrictions and that he cannot obtain a passport.
At the time of the original trial, Dassey was six months short of 18, but was both tried and sentenced as an adult.
