George Zipperer

George Zipperer was named in Steven Avery's 2007 trial in testimony about Teresa Halbach's October 31 photography appointments and the early search for her. An Auto Trader witness described a telemarketing contact with Zipperer, and an appointment report listed his name. A phone-records witness identified a 2:12 p.m. outgoing call as going to him, but acknowledged that the underlying Cingular record did not supply the contact name and that she had not prepared the name-added summary.

Detective Dave Remiker testified that officers visited the Zipperer home on November 3 and that George was initially reluctant to speak with them or let them inside. Remiker said JoEllen Zipperer confirmed that a photographer had come to photograph a family member's car. The defense contrasted George's response with Avery's cooperation to question the investigation's focus. On redirect, Remiker said officers spent longer at the Zipperer property than at Avery's. During an ensuing argument outside the jury's presence, the court denied the State's request to ask about Avery's prior conviction as an explanation for investigating him rather than Zipperer.