Actions

'Making a Murderer' creators, Netflix sued for defamation, emotional distress by former officer

Posted
and last updated

MANITOWOC COUNTY, Wis. — A former Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office police officer is suing Netflix and the creators of the docu-series, "Making a Murderer." The Netflix series documents the trials of Steven Avery, who was convicted in 2007 of Teresa Halbach's 2005 murder.

Andrew Colborn is suing for defamation, emotional distress and negligence. In a lawsuit filed Monday, Colborn and his lawyers claim "Making a Murderer" made false accusations about his actions as a police officer during the investigation into Teresa Halbach's murder.

The lawsuit claims the Netflix series, "falsely led viewers to the inescapable conclusion that plaintiff and others planted evidence to frame Avery for Halbach’s murder." Colborn's lawsuit says the docu-series "selectively edited and spliced trial and deposition testimony, excluding facts and evidence that contradict their false narrative."

Colborn's lawsuit claims that since the series has premiered, he has received online threats and insults, as well as threatening phone calls.

"Recorded telephone threats alone fill the capacity of 28 compact discs," the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit is demanding a retraction as well as a judgment against the defendants. The lawsuit states Colburn is asking for a jury trial.

Netflix declined to comment.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Saturday

12/06/2025

Partly Cloudy

-° / 39°

7%

Sunday

12/07/2025

Mostly Clear

58° / 41°

6%

Monday

12/08/2025

Mostly Clear

59° / 42°

8%

Tuesday

12/09/2025

Mostly Clear

57° / 42°

6%

Wednesday

12/10/2025

Mostly Clear

53° / 43°

6%

Thursday

12/11/2025

Mostly Clear

55° / 43°

6%

Friday

12/12/2025

Mostly Clear

60° / 45°

5%

Saturday

12/13/2025

Partly Cloudy

61° / 46°

3%