Course outline
Module 1
Module 1: Introduction to the Case
Introduction to the Case
Knowledge check
Q1. Who was Steven Avery accused of murdering in 1985?
- A. Shawn Berry
- B. Shawn Bolender ✓
- C. Shawn Avery
- D. Shawn Bolen
Why: Steven Avery was accused of murdering Shawn Bolender in 1985.
Q2. In what year was Steven Avery wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life in prison?
- A. 1982
- B. 1985 ✓
- C. 1996
- D. 2003
Why: Steven Avery was wrongfully convicted in 1985 and sentenced to life in prison.
Q3. What was the name of the person who was the original suspect in the murder of Teresa Halbach?
- A. Steven Avery
- B. Mark Hochengger
- C. Darrell L. Metz ✓
- D. William R. Hensley
Why: Darrell L. Metz was the original suspect in the murder of Teresa Halbach.
Q4. How many years was Steven Avery wrongfully imprisoned before being released in 2003?
- A. 10
- B. 18 ✓
- C. 20
- D. 15
Why: Steven Avery was wrongfully imprisoned for 18 years before being released in 2003.
Q5. What was the name of the person who was killed in the case that led to Steven Avery's second trial?
- A. Teresa Halbach ✓
- B. Shawn Bolender
- C. Darrell Metz
- D. William Hensley
Why: Teresa Halbach was the person killed in the case that led to Steven Avery's second trial.
Module 2
Module 2: The Arrest and Initial Trial
The Arrest and Initial Trial
Knowledge check
Q1. What was Steven Avery arrested for in 1985?
- A. Arson
- B. Sexual assault and murder of Teresa Halbach ✓
- C. Burglary
- D. Drug possession
Why: Steven Avery was arrested in 1985 for the sexual assault and murder of Teresa Halbach, though he was later exonerated.
Q2. How long was Steven Avery wrongfully imprisoned before his release in 2003?
- A. 10 years
- B. 18 years ✓
- C. 12 years
- D. 20 years
Why: Steven Avery was wrongfully imprisoned for 18 years before being released in 2003 after being exonerated.
Q3. What was the name of the person who was found dead in Steven Avery's shack in 2005?
- A. Teresa Halbach ✓
- B. Steven Avery's brother
- C. A neighbor
- D. A police officer
Why: Teresa Halbach was found dead in Steven Avery's shack in 2005, which led to his re-arrest.
Q4. What was the outcome of Steven Avery's first trial in 1985?
- A. Acquittal
- B. Conviction ✓
- C. Dismissal
- D. Plea deal
Why: Steven Avery was convicted in his first trial in 1985 for the sexual assault and murder of Teresa Halbach.
Q5. Which of the following was a key piece of evidence that was later found to be unreliable in Avery's case?
- A. DNA evidence ✓
- B. Eyewitness testimony
- C. Fingerprint evidence
- D. Surveillance footage
Why: DNA evidence was later found to be unreliable in Avery's case, contributing to his exoneration.
Module 3
Module 3: DNA Evidence and Its Role
DNA Evidence and Its Role
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the primary significance of DNA evidence in the Steven Avery case?
- A. It proved Avery's innocence beyond doubt
- B. It linked Avery to the crime scene and the victim ✓
- C. It was used to convict Avery of a different crime
- D. It was not used in the case at all
Why: DNA evidence was crucial in linking Avery to the crime scene and the victim, which played a significant role in his initial conviction.
Q2. Which of the following is a key issue regarding the DNA evidence in Steven Avery's case?
- A. The DNA was not properly collected
- B. The DNA evidence was mishandled and contaminated ✓
- C. The DNA was not analyzed at all
- D. The DNA evidence was only used in the appeal process
Why: There were claims that the DNA evidence was mishandled and contaminated, which raised questions about its reliability.
Q3. What was the result of the DNA evidence being re-examined in Steven Avery's case?
- A. It confirmed the original conviction
- B. It led to Avery's release from prison ✓
- C. It was found to be inconclusive
- D. It was never re-examined
Why: The re-examination of DNA evidence contributed to Avery's release from prison after his wrongful conviction.
Q4. How did the use of DNA evidence impact the legal proceedings in Steven Avery's case?
- A. It was not used in any legal proceedings
- B. It was used to appeal Avery's conviction ✓
- C. It was used to convict Avery of a new crime
- D. It was used to support the original conviction
Why: DNA evidence was a key component in the appeal process that led to Avery's release after being wrongfully convicted.
Q5. What role did the defense play in challenging the DNA evidence in Steven Avery's case?
- A. They ignored the DNA evidence
- B. They argued that the DNA evidence was unreliable ✓
- C. They used the DNA evidence to prove Avery's innocence
- D. They did not challenge the DNA evidence
Why: The defense argued that the DNA evidence was unreliable and was mishandled, which contributed to Avery's eventual release.
Module 4
Module 4: The Appeal Process
The Appeal Process
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the primary purpose of the appeal process in a criminal case?
- A. To retry the defendant in a new trial
- B. To review the legal proceedings for errors ✓
- C. To sentence the defendant again
- D. To appeal to the public for support
Why: The appeal process is designed to review the legal proceedings for any errors that may have occurred during the trial, not to retry the defendant or sentence them again.
Q2. Which court typically hears an appeal in a criminal case?
- A. The Supreme Court
- B. The Appellate Court ✓
- C. The Trial Court
- D. D
Why: The Appellate Court is the court that typically hears an appeal in a criminal case, though in some jurisdictions, the United States Court of Appeals may also be involved.
Q3. What is a key difference between a trial and an appeal?
- A. An appeal is a new trial with new evidence
- B. An appeal is a review of the trial record for legal errors ✓
- C. An appeal is conducted by the jury
- D. An appeal is used to sentence the defendant
Why: An appeal is not a new trial but a legal review of the trial record for errors, not a chance to present new evidence or have a jury decide the case again.
Q4. Who is responsible for filing an appeal in a criminal case?
- A. The victim's family
- B. The defense attorney ✓
- C. The judge
- D. The prosecution
Why: The defense attorney is responsible for filing an appeal on behalf of the defendant if they believe there were legal errors during the trial.
Q5. What is a common reason for an appeal to be denied?
- A. The defendant cannot afford an attorney
- B. There was no legal error in the trial ✓
- C. The victim did not want the appeal to proceed
- D. The judge did not like the defendant
Why: An appeal is typically denied if there is no legal error found in the trial, as appeals are limited to reviewing legal issues, not factual ones.
Module 5
Module 5: Media Influence and Public Perception
Media Influence and Public Perception
Knowledge check
Q1. What was the primary impact of media coverage on Steven Avery's case according to the documentary?
- A. It increased public support for the police
- B. It influenced public opinion and raised questions about the justice system ✓
- C. It led to the immediate release of Steven Avery
- D. It had no significant impact
Why: The media coverage played a significant role in shaping public perception and bringing attention to potential flaws in the legal process.
Q2. Which media outlet was heavily involved in covering Steven Avery's case?
- A. The New York Times
- B. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ✓
- C. The Washington Post
- D. The Chicago Tribune
Why: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel was instrumental in investigating and reporting on Steven Avery's case.
Q3. How did the media's portrayal of Steven Avery affect the legal proceedings?
- A. It had no effect on the legal proceedings
- B. It led to a retrial and the overturning of his conviction ✓
- C. It caused the legal system to ignore the case
- D. It led to a faster conviction
Why: Media coverage led to a retrial, and Steven Avery's conviction was eventually overturned.
Q4. What was one of the key criticisms of the media's role in the case?
- A. It was too biased in favor of the police
- B. It was overly sensational and may have influenced the jury ✓
- C. It ignored the case entirely
- D. It was too supportive of Steven Avery
Why: Critics argued that the media's sensational coverage may have influenced public opinion and potentially impacted the trial.
Q5. Which of the following best describes the relationship between media and public perception in Steven Avery's case?
- A. The media had no influence on public perception
- B. The media shaped public perception and brought attention to the case ✓
- C. The media only supported the victim's family
- D. The media only supported the legal system
Why: The media played a crucial role in shaping public perception and bringing widespread attention to the case.
Module 6
Module 6: The Role of the Legal System
The Role of the Legal System
Knowledge check
Q1. What was the primary reason Steven Avery was wrongfully imprisoned initially?
- A. A lack of evidence
- B. False testimony ✓
- C. A confession
- D. A witness identification
Why: False testimony from a key witness was a major factor in Steven Avery's initial wrongful conviction.
Q2. Which legal principle was central to Steven Avery's case regarding the suppression of evidence?
- A. Habeas Corpus ✓
- B. Double jeopardy
- C. Right to remain silent
- D. Due process
Why: Habeas Corpus was central to Steven Avery's case as it allowed him to challenge the legality of his detention and the suppression of evidence.
Q3. What was the outcome of Steven Avery's first trial?
- A. Acquittal
- B. Conviction for sexual assault ✓
- C. Conviction for murder
- D. Dismissal of charges
Why: Steven Avery was initially convicted of sexual assault, which led to his imprisonment.
Q4. What was the name of the key witness whose testimony was later recanted?
- A. Darrell Jarrett ✓
- B. Shawn Fisher
- C. Mark Hochengger
- D. Steven Avery
Why: Darrell Jarrett was the key witness whose testimony was later recanted, contributing to Avery's wrongful conviction.
Q5. Which legal system was highlighted in the case study as being both flawed and crucial in Steven Avery's case?
- A. The judicial system
- B. The legal system ✓
- C. The prison system
- D. The media system
Why: The legal system was highlighted as both flawed and crucial in Steven Avery's case, showing the complexities and challenges within the justice process.
Module 7
Module 7: Lessons Learned and Implications
Lessons Learned and Implications
Knowledge check
Q1. What was the main issue with Steven Avery's initial wrongful conviction?
- A. Insufficient evidence
- B. Eyewitness misidentification ✓
- C. Lack of a defense attorney
- D. Poor forensic analysis
Why: Eyewitness misidentification played a significant role in Steven Avery's initial wrongful conviction.
Q2. How long was Steven Avery wrongfully imprisoned before his release?
- A. 10 years
- B. 18 years ✓
- C. 12 years
- D. 20 years
Why: Steven Avery was wrongfully imprisoned for 18 years before being released.
Q3. What was the name of the man who was the actual perpetrator of the crime Steven Avery was convicted of?
- A. James Allen
- B. Mark Dittman ✓
- C. Tony Fisher
- D. John Doe
Why: Mark Dittman was the actual perpetrator of the crime Steven Avery was convicted of.
Q4. What was the outcome of the second trial for Steven Avery?
- A. Convicted again
- B. Acquitted ✓
- C. Plea deal
- D. Sentenced to death
Why: Steven Avery was acquitted in his second trial.
Q5. What was the role of the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office in Steven Avery's case?
- A. They provided evidence that exonerated him
- B. They were involved in misconduct and covered up evidence ✓
- C. They were neutral in the case
- D. They helped Steven Avery prove his innocence
Why: The Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office was involved in misconduct and covered up evidence in Steven Avery's case.