Hashtags and Justice: Brendan Dassey's Release
 |
| Bustle |
Making a Murderer is an example of a brilliant Netflix original series. The series follows Steven Avery, from Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, who served 18 years in prison for a wrongful conviction of sexual assault and attempted murder.
But, just when you thought justice had been served, he's slammed behind the prison bars again; this time for the murder of Teresa Halbach, and his nephew, Brendan Dassey, was roped into the conviction.
As the documentary pans out, it reveals a hive of bumbling idiots rather than police officers, and vile prosecutors instead of a system for justice.
Up until December 2015 nothing had been done, the conviction was set for both Steven Avery and Brenden Dassey. After that gavel slammed down, they were forgotten and the media limelight had moved onto its next story, leaving a bitter taste to those that remembered its gruesome details.
But since Making a Murderer was released, their story went viral. People across the world were enraged at the police's incompetency and the injustice that Avery and Dassey had been enduring until this day.
The public took to social media. At one point, newsfeeds were a litany of Making a Murder posts - it was all anyone would talk about.
As a result of all this, public interest has surged, mostly in favour of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey. It was once again in the people's interest, but this time on an enormous scale.
People all over the world were tuning into the argument. A petition to the White House gathered over 500,000 signatures, all pleading for Steven Avery to be released. The President of the United States actually responded, stating that he couldn't act upon state law issues.
But on the 12th of August 2016, there was a shock announcement: Brendan Dassey was released. The court found Brendan's confession to be "Involuntary under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments".
The relief wasn't just felt by Dassey and his family, but by those across the world who had watched the series or were caught up with the case on social media.
The emotional proximity felt wasn't exclusive to his immediate family, but by virtually everyone that watched the series. Making a Murderer started a chain reaction: Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms stirred with conversation that justice has been served.
Does this mean that Steven Avery is next for release? If they were partners in crime, surely this calls for a reassessment of his sentence? As he swears to speak nothing but the truth, I swear I'll be there to witness events through Netflix's lens of justice, and through Facebook's court transcripts, as part of the growing public interest fuelling this 'slaktavist' movement.
Cameron Sutherland
Cameron is a journalism and public relations student, powered by flat whites, George Orwell and a dash of Kanye West. Follow him @SongbirdCameron
Contact us on Twitter, on Facebook, or leave your comments below. To find out about social media training or management why not take a look at our website for more info: TheSMFGroup.com
Hashtags and Justice: Brendan Dassey's Release
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Friday, August 19, 2016
Rating:
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Friday, August 19, 2016
Rating:
Unknown
Keeping you up to date on social media, digital marketing, apps, news & reviews. Social media, and digital marketing as a whole, are rapidly and constantly changing, adapting to new developments at an ever increasing rate. Just keeping up to date can be a nightmare. Our team of writers know their field, and keep an ear to the ground. We aim to keep you informed of all recent developments in the online world, and teach you a little something along the way. So whether you just want to stay connected, or gain some knowledge for yourself, the Social Songbird will keep on singing! More articles are posted every day so keep checking back! Join the discussion on Twitter - #SocialSongbird Or contact us directly - @SocialSongbird_
Entrepreneur, international speaker on Social Media Marketing. First one in the UK to write and speak in conferences about Twitter as a marketing tool. Consultant to Corporate Companies, Government Organizations, Marketing Managers and Business Owners.
Aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. He hopes to one day drop that 'aspiring' prefix. He started as a writer and soon after he was made Executive Editor and Manager of the team at Social Songbird. A position he held for 5 years.
Adrienne is a passionate writer with experience in editing, content creation, and social media marketing. She’s a lover of animals, helping others improve their writing, and 2000s pop culture.
Musician, audio technician, professional tutor and a Cambridge university English student. Interested in writing, politics and obsessed with reading.
Recently graduated with a BA in English Literature from the University of Exeter, and he is about to study an MA in Journalism at the University of Sheffield. He is an aspiring journalist and novelist; in his free time he enjoys playing chess, listening to music and taking long walks through nature.
Lucy is an undergraduate BSc Politics and International Relations student at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Anna Coopey is a 4th year UG student in Classics at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She is a keen writer and researcher on a number of topics, varying from Modern Greek literature to revolutionary theory.
Ellie is a recent BA English Literature graduate and aspiring publisher with a passion for writing. Her favourite pastimes include reading and shopping.