Full disclosure: The trial evidence IMO overwhelmingly speaks to Steven Avery's guilt in the death of Teresa Halbach.
But the topic of this thread, is what speaks specifically to Avery's anger issues in 2004-2005, provided by the reports of those who lived with him, worked with him, and dated him, as well as from Steven himself. What follows below are selections from these reports, and then as counterpoint, the portrayal of Steven Avery's attitude and behavior in Making a Murderer.
BRYAN DASSEY
Bryan [Dassey] described Steven as always having a bad temper and it seemed to him that he was getting more angry about the business and activities in the yard... Steven...did not like Earl, and threatened to "kick his ass" because of the turmoil with the business in the yard.
Bryan said Steven ha... him, "He could kill someone and get away with it."
BRENDAN DASSEY
Because some days [Steven] couldn't control his temper, so the whole family told him to go see the people that you go talk to about your feelings and that. And he, he got pissed off and he went for a ride.
[Note, based on Brendan's comment, perhaps Steven was receiving formal counseling for his issues.]
JODI STACHOWSKI (girlfriend)
He told me once if I did leave him, that he'd burn down my mom's house with them and my daughter in it."
I was in a bath, and he threatened to throw a blow dryer in there, and he told me that he'd be able to get away with it.
UNNAMED FEMALE RELATIVE, MOTHER OF GIRL IN 2004 SEX ASSAULT CHARGE AGAINST STEVEN AVERY
The woman said her daughter did not want to talk to detectives because Avery said if she "told anyone about their activities together, he would kill her family," the affidavit said.
EARL & CHUCK AVERY (brothers)
“If you would tell [Brendan] to do something, he would do it. Especially with a manipulative guy like Steven.”
Earl claims his brother, Steven, manipulated him as well. Years ago, when Steven was first sent to prison and Earl was 14 or 15, Steven would call him from his cell block and order Earl to have sex with Steven’s then-wife, Lori.
“Steven was a controller,” confirms Chuck, 51.
[Disclaimer: Note Earl and Chuck might have their own reasons to paint Steven in a poor light.]
STEVEN HIMSELF
[Avery's] [December, 2003] reminiscence with a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter after his exoneration about how he used to sit on a picnic bench in the prison yard and count the jets that flew by is instructive:
"Sometimes, I feel like it’s easier in there [prison]," he said a few months after moving into an ice shanty with its jail-like confines, "some days, just put me back there, get it all over with."
"It ain’t nothing to put on a hundred miles,” he told the same reporter, explaining how he would take a drive in his truck to escape his anger and frustration. "There’s probably too much going on inside my head – brain can’t put it all in,' he said. 'Sometimes it’ll last all day, that’s when I try to stay away from everybody, sometimes I cuss them out, sometimes I just go for a ride."
For a contrasting view, here's the portrayal of Steven Avery in Making a Murderer
KIM DUCAT (Steven's cousin)
The people that were close to Steve knew he was harmless. He was always happy, happy, happy. Always laughing. Always wanted to make other people laugh. I think the people in the outside community viewed him as an Avery. You know, viewed him as troublemaker. You know, "There goes another Avery. They're all trouble."
Based on the above interviews, it doesn't seem the people that knew Avery in 2004-2005 thought he was harmless.
STEVEN AVERY (on phone)
When I left the prison, the anger left. It was gone. It stayed there, behind them gates. It didn't come out with me. I was happy when I got out. I probably was the happiest man on the Earth.
Not according to Steven himself, the anger didn't leave. And not according to those who knew him in 2004-2005.
SOURCES
- Bryan Dassey Interview 02-27-2006 (exhibit 89)
- Brendan Dassey Interview with M O'Kelly - 05-12-2006
- Jodi Stachowski Interview with HLN, aired 01-13-2016
- "Avery assault charges delayed - DA: Halbach slaying charges get priority; alleged victim agrees"
- "Blood Simple," Milwaukee Magazine
- "Why Avery Matters," Wisconsin Lawyer, 03-2011
- Making a Murderer Episode 1