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Steven Avery & Brendan Dassey— Case Archive
Steven Averytrial-daytrial-dayverdictjury_instructionsDay 27 - March 18, 2007The jury found Avery guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and firearm possession, and not guilty of mutilating a corpse. The court entered judgments on the verdicts, subject to further rulings on post-trial motions.
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Day 27 - March 18, 2007

Jury Verdicts and Post-Verdict Judgments

Judge Patrick L. Willis
4Proceedings
3Pages
0Witnesses
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Day 27 of 27

The jury found Avery guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and firearm possession, and not guilty of mutilating a corpse. The court entered judgments on the verdicts, subject to further rulings on post-trial motions.

Full day summary

The jury found Steven A. Avery guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and firearm possession, and not guilty of mutilating a corpse. Each juror affirmed the verdicts when polled. After excusing the jury, the court entered convictions on Counts 1 and 3 and an acquittal on Count 2, subject to further rulings on post-trial motions. The defense requested 30 days to file motions and identified a possible inconsistent-verdict challenge. The court ordered a presentence investigation and revoked bail, but set no filing deadline or hearing date in this exchange.

1. Jury Verdicts and Juror Polling

The court read the jury’s verdicts and polled each juror, who affirmed them.

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Procedural
Pre-verdict appearances and courtroom directions
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Verdict
Jury verdicts and juror polling
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The jury found Avery guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and firearm possession, and not guilty of mutilating a corpse; each juror affirmed the verdicts when polled.

Highlights

Jury verdicts and juror pollingjury eventThe court read verdicts finding Avery guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and firearm possession, and not guilty of mutilating a corpse.Jury verdicts and juror pollingjury eventThe court polled the jurors individually, and each affirmed that the verdicts remained their verdicts.Jury verdicts and juror polling“We, the jury, find the defendant, Steven A. Avery, guilty of first degree intentional homicide as charged in the first count of the Information.”— Patrick L. WillisThe court's reading of the guilty verdict on Count 1.Jury verdicts and juror polling“We, the jury, find the defendant, Steven A. Avery, not guilty of mutilating a corpse as charged in the second count of the Information.”— Patrick L. WillisThe court's reading of the acquittal on Count 2.

2. Post-Verdict Instructions and Jury Discharge

Judge Willis thanked the jurors, explained that discussing the case was optional, and excused the jury.

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Jury Instruction
Post-verdict instructions and jury discharge
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Judge Willis gave jurors post-verdict guidance on discussing the case and excused them.

3. Judgments on Verdicts and Post-Trial Orders

Judge Willis entered convictions on Counts 1 and 3 and an acquittal on Count 2, then ordered a presentence investigation report and revoked bail.

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Procedural
Judgments on verdicts and post-trial orders
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Judge Willis entered convictions on Counts 1 and 3 and an acquittal on Count 2, ordered a presentence report, and revoked bail. Post-trial scheduling remained open.

Highlights

Judgments on verdicts and post-trial ordersprocedural actionThe State requested judgment on all three verdicts. The defense requested acquittal on Count 2 but asked the court to withhold judgment on Counts 1 and 3 pending possible post-verdict motions, including an inconsistent-verdict challenge.Judgments on verdicts and post-trial ordersrulingThe court entered convictions on Counts 1 and 3 and an acquittal on Count 2, subject to further rulings on post-trial motions, and ordered a presentence investigation report.
← Day 26Steven Avery