CHICAGO (AP) -- A federal appeals court has overturned a ruling that could have freed a Wisconsin inmate featured in the "Making a Murderer" series from prison.
The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that police properly obtained Brendan Dassey's confession and he should remain behind bars. The judges were sharply divided, voting 4 to 3 that Dassey's confession wasn't coerced.
Dassey was sentenced to life in prison in 2007 after he told detectives he helped his uncle, Steven Avery, rape and kill photographer Teresa Halbach.
A federal judge overturned Dassey's conviction in 2016, ruling that investigators coerced his confession. A three-judge panel from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals agreed, but the state asked for a review by the full court that led to Friday's decision.
Dassey's lawyers say they're "profoundly disappointed" that an appeals court has overturned a ruling that could have set him free. Dassey's attorneys say they'll seek relief from the U.S. Supreme Court.