Making a Murderer's Steven Avery loses bid for new trial

Lawyer Kathleen Zellner said an appeal against the ruling is 'likely'

Steven Avery, the subject of Netflix series Making a Murderer, has had a bid for a new trial rejected.

Judge Angela Sutkiewicz denied Avery's request to be tried again after being convicted of killing photographer Teresa Halbach in 2005.

Avery, a native of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, is currently serving a life sentence, but claims he did not commit the crime.

In April, Avery won a motion to appeal the verdict – a development hailed by his lawyer Kathleen Zellner as a “big win”.

The motion to appeal, filed by Zellner on Avery’s behalf, meant that a Wisconsin circuit court re-examined the case following claims some evidence had been mishandled by authorities.

Tests were inconclusive about whether Halbach's bones, allegedly found in the Avery family's salvage yard, were animal or human.

Avery's bid was based on the argument that the state turned over bones to the Halbach family without notifying the defence, but – according to WLUK-TV – the judge ruled that does not mean Avery should get a new trial.

Zellner said an appeal against the ruling is likely.

Avery’s nephew Brendan Dassey is also serving a life sentence over Halbach's murder.

Additional reporting by Agencies.