New documents are giving us a look inside the life of Steven Avery and his nephew Brendan Dassey in prison. These records show us just how tight-knit the law enforcement community up north is.
Multiple guards at both Waupun, Columbia and Green Bay correctional institutes reported to their supervisors they had a conflict of interest with Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey.
Avery is now serving life in prison for the murder of Teresa Halbach. His nephew, Brendan Dassey was convicted of assisting in the murder.
- SPECIAL SECTION: The Trials of Steven Avery
Recent documents show guards where the two men are housed have deep connections to the case.
One of Avery's guards says his cousin is "the evidence custodian in Avery's case."
Another one of Avery's prison guards reported he had a conflict of interest with with him because he knew Teresa Halbach. They were from the same town.
The guard said,"I went to high school with one of her brothers who was a friend of mine."
In 2007, one of Dassey's guards said he too knew Halbach. She had worked with his wife and was his wedding photographer.
"I can honestly say I might have trouble treating inmate Dassey fairly and remaining professional," the Columbia Correctional Institution guard wrote in a report.
At the time, the guard was advised to stay away from Dassey. Dassey had been moved out of that prison but is now back at Columbia Correctional Institution.
Another one of Dassey's guards said his dad was an investigator for the lead agency in Halbach's murder, saying, "He had direct involvement in the investigation of inmate Dassey."
But the guard said he did not think it would be an issue. The prison agreed.
The Wisconsin Department of Correction says it's standard procedure to ask employees to report any potential conflict of interests. The DOC says it evaluated each report and decides what action to take.
