Why did Steven Avery take a $400,000 settlement on civil suit with Monitowic county?

[IvyLane]

Is there some kind of law that doesn't allow a murder suspect to have a civil suit in action?

 

[Tawny]

He needed the money to pay for his defense in the murder case, is my understanding. It could have taken years to complete the investigation for the $36 mil to be awarded, whereas they were willing to settle for $400,000 immediately.

 

[missy1974]

My impression is that he took the settlement so he could pay for good/better lawyers for the murder charge. The lawsuit could have taken years.... he needed that money right away.

 

[andreww]

Yep, it was either settle or get the Brendan Dassey type lawyer. Public defender in a murder trial? You might as well plead guilty and hope for some leniency because you will never ever ever win.