Advertisement

'Making A Murderer' Is The Latest True Crime Craze

06:11
Download Audio
Resume
Steven Avery is pictured at his family's salvage yard in Two Rivers, Wisconsin on Sept. 25, 2003, after being released from prison. He served 18 years before DNA tests proved he was innocent of a sexual assault. (Morry Gash/AP)
Steven Avery is pictured at his family's salvage yard in Two Rivers, Wisconsin on Sept. 25, 2003, after being released from prison. He served 18 years before DNA tests proved he was innocent of a sexual assault. (Morry Gash/AP)

A year ago, the true crime craze was the podcast "Serial." In 2016, it's "Making a Murderer."

The new Netflix documentary series was made over the course of 10 years by filmmakers Faura Ricciardi and Moira Demos. It focuses on the life of Steven Avery, a Wisconsin man in a three-decade war with the justice system.

After spending 18 years in jail for a crime he was found to be innocent of, Avery was convicted of murder two years later. The series investigates whether he was framed by law enforcement.

The show has garnered a huge following, and more than 100,000 people have signed an online petition to pardon Avery. NPR's David Folkenflik talks with Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd about what makes the show so riveting, and where we draw the line between journalism and entertainment.

Guest

This segment aired on January 8, 2016.

Advertisement

More from Here & Now

Listen Live
Close