When I found out the defense attorneys from Netflix’s Making A Murderer were going on a national tour to discuss the Steven Avery case and the American criminal justice system in general, I nabbed a ticket on the spot! I saw Dean Strang and Jerry Buting at the Beacon Theatre in New York City tonight and the conversation, though not revelatory, was very engaging.
You might think that there’s a niche audience for this kind of thing, but they managed to nearly fill up the entire theatre with fans of the documentary, public defenders, and lawyers. The moderator led the discussion based on questions provided by the audience.
Strang said he experiences “lasting discomfort” with the Avery case. They both “long for” his exoneration. It was clear that the case emotionally impacted them and still sits with them to this day. Though they remain disheartened about the conviction, they are enthused that the worldwide exposure of the case is opening up a discussion about reforming the criminal justice system. “The needle is finally moving,” said Buting.
And yes, in case you were wondering, Strang was called a “beloved hero heartthrob” on stage and he told his admirers that they “need to get out more.” Ha! The two were also asked how many marriage proposals they’ve gotten since the doc came out. “Too many to count,” deadpanned Buting. Elsewhere, Strang performed a riveting Donald Trump impression and that alone made the cost of admission totally worth it.
Speaking of which, the attorneys shared that some of the ticket proceeds are going to the Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth, the innocence project that is currently aiding Brendan Dassey’s ongoing case. #TheyDidntDoIt
