How Kim Kardashian became involved in Making a Murderer
If you think you know the Making a Murderer case (made famous by Netflix's true-crime documentary series) inside out, think again.
In recent weeks there have been updates coming from both Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey's directions, but there's one development in particular that, at face value, seems to have come completely out of left-field.
Kim Kardashian West – yes, reality TV royalty – has inserted herself into the conversation, making headlines along the way.
Related: Why Kim Kardashian is getting her own true-crime series
Despite their 2007 convictions, both Avery and Dassey maintain their innocence and have been fighting towards their individual appeals.
It was announced recently (October 2) that Brendan's post-conviction legal team would be trying a slightly different approach, launching a campaign to attempt to persuade the state's Governor Tony Evers to grant Dassey clemency (via New York Times).
Kim Kardashian then made a public plea to the governor on Twitter, asking him to read and consider the handwritten letter that Brendan had addressed to him. The note in question was publicly released on a website as part of a number of documents relating to Dassey's case.
In response to Kim's backing, Brendan's lawyer revealed that the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star's support was welcomed. "Kim Kardashian has worked to free many prisoners who deserve release, working with politicians across the aisle. We are grateful for her support of Brendan's clemency effort," Laura Nirider tweeted.
Related: How this Brendan Dassey update could inform Making a Murderer season 3
It seems that Kardashian's support, and the publicity that followed, won't be enough on its own to convince the governor. A representative told TMZ that "Brendan's case will be given the same thoughtful review and consideration as any other case."
While you might never have expected to see Kim Kardashian and Making a Murderer in the same sentence, when you do a little digging the connection actually starts to make a lot of sense. Let's not forget, after all, Kim's late father Robert Kardashian was a well-known attorney who played a role in the highly publicised and controversial OJ Simpson murder trial.
Kim made headlines earlier this year when she revealed that she had started studying law. Kim had embarked on a four-year apprenticeship with a law firm, and is hoping to take her exams in 2022 to become a criminal justice lawyer.
A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Apr 15, 2019 at 8:40am PDT
Perhaps the most high-profile of Kim's post-conviction cases has been that of Alice Marie Johnson, a 63-year-old woman who had been serving a lengthy sentence for a nonviolent drug charge. Kardashian had first learned about her case through social media – very on brand – and felt compelled to get involved.
Kardashian, along with social justice campaigner Van Jones and a number of lawyers, made a plea to President Trump on Alice's behalf for clemency. As a result, her prison sentence was commuted in June 2018.
According to Jones, Kim ended up playing an "indispensable role" in granting Johnson her freedom. "I watched Kim Kardashian unleash the most effective, emotionally intelligent intervention that I've ever seen in American politics," he told Vogue back in April.
"Kim understood that he needs to be seen as taking on the system, and she helped him to see that there are people who the system was against and that his job was to go and help them," Jones added. "And it was remarkable. So for people who have fallen for this media caricature of the party girl from ten years ago who hangs out with Paris Hilton? This is the daughter of an accomplished attorney and the mother of three black kids who is using her full power to make a difference on a tough issue and is shockingly good at it."
A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Mar 16, 2019 at 9:37pm PDT
Kim Kardashian has played an active part in numerous other cases, all in the name of justice reform. In May 2019 it was revealed that she had helped to free 17 prisoners in the space of three months. Kardashian's lawyers also confirmed (via Buzzfeed News) her involvement in funding the 90 Days of Freedom Campaign.
With all of this in mind, even if Kardashian's public backing doesn't hold any sway over the governor's decision when it comes to Dassey's recent plea, we wouldn't be at all surprised if Kim used her newfound career to get more involved in the case.
Related: Why Making a Murderer's Kathleen Zellner is right to dismiss the new 'evidence'
In fact, Kim (just like the rest of us) has been following it ever since Making a Murderer's first season dropped. Back in 2016, long before she embarked on her work towards justice reform, Kim admitted that true crime was "the only type of TV I really like to watch" and that she loved the Netflix hit (via OK!).
Perhaps Kim Kardashian will even get a cameo in Making a Murderer season 3 (should it finally get the go ahead), who knows?
Making a Murderer seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream now on Netflix.
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