The general consensus about the hit documentary series, "Making a Murderer" on Netflix, has been great so far, but one organization is not happy with how the 10-episode TV show approached one aspect of the story. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has complained that the creators of the hit documentary series downplayed Steven Avery's history of animal cruelty.
"Too often, cruelty to animals is swept under the rug, as seems to have happened in Making a Murderer when filmmakers omitted specific details about how Avery, at age 20, doused the family cat with lighter fluid before throwing him onto a fire. " Colleen O' Brien, senior director for PETA, stated according to KXAN.com. "Avery was convicted of misdemeanor cruelty to animals for killing the cat and served only nine months."
While the case against Avery's ruthless murder of his family cat was acknowledged in the series, it was only mentioned briefly at the beginning of the story. PETA wanted to delve further into this part of the Wisconsin man's life, especially now that the convicted criminal is gaining sympathy from viewers around the world.
The Independent reported that an online petition calling for US President BarackObama to pardon Avery has been started and is now gaining support. The petition now has over 380,000 signatures from people who believe that Avery was wrongfully accused of first-degree intentional homicide.
Unfortunately, the White House responded that the president cannot interfere and the case must be taken to a state level. More disheartening to Avery's supporter, Scott Walker, the Governor of Wisconsin and the man who has the power to free the subject of the Netflix series, refuses to watch "Making a Murderer."
The Netflix Original Series was filmed in the span of ten years. The 10-part documentary was created by filmmakers, Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos. The series is streaming wherever Netflix is available.
