In December 2015, Netflix released a true-crime documentary series that would captivate audiences worldwide and ignite discussions about the justice system. "Making a Murderer" delves into the convoluted and controversial case of Steven Avery, a man from Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, who was convicted of a heinous crime, exonerated, and then later found guilty of another shocking crime. This 10-episode series, created by filmmakers Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos, has not only become a cultural phenomenon but has also raised important questions about the criminal justice system, the presumption of innocence, and the power of documentary storytelling.

The story at the heart of "Making a Murderer" begins with Steven Avery, a working-class man from Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. In 1985, Avery was wrongfully convicted of sexual assault and attempted murder, a crime he did not commit. He spent 18 years behind bars before DNA evidence proved his innocence, leading to his exoneration in 2003. This initial miscarriage of justice forms the foundation of the series and sets the stage for the subsequent events.