Moments ago, he was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of applying for release on extended supervision in 41 years.
He's guaranteed to be locked up until he's 59.
MANITOWOC, Wis. (AP) -- Dassey, 17, was convicted in April of being party to first-degree intentional homicide, mutilation of a corpse and second-degree sexual assault in the death of Teresa Halbach on Halloween 2005.
Life sentences are mandatory for first-degree intentional homicide. But Manitowoc County Circuit Judge Jerome Fox had to decide whether to leave open the possibility of parole.
On Thursday, Fox decided to grant Dassey the possibility of parole. He will be eligible for parole on Nov. 1, 2048, when he is 59 years old.
Dassey sat quietly at his sentencing Thursday and when asked if he had a comment before it was read, he told the judge, "I don't know what to say."
The judge said this was Dassey's chance to say something to his family and Halbach's in the courtroom.
"Just that I didn't do it," Dassey said. "I wouldn't do nothing like that."
Here's more:
"The court believes there is a moral need for substantial punishment for these crimes," Judge Jerome Fox said.
Fox said during his ruling that this was the most serious crime the court had ever had before it.
"(Dassey) knew the difference between right and wrong, good and evil," the judge said.
I think that's the bottom line -- Dassey, though not very intelligent, knows the difference between right and wrong, good and evil.
Being 17 and not too bright isn't a defense.
Jeff Wagner explains that Dassey is not eligible for parole, in spite of what's being reported in the media.
In 48 years, Dassey would be eligible to apply for extended supervision. Then, he would go before a sentencing court, not a parole board.
Was it a miscarriage of justice to give Dassey the possibility of being released on extended supervision?
I don't think so. I don't think Dassey has a chance of getting out of prison.
I hope this sentence gives the Halbach family some peace.
Although they no doubt will always be haunted by what Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey did to their beloved Teresa, I hope the family is comforted by the fact that Avery and Dassey are paying for their crimes.
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