What we learned from new episodes of Netflix’s The Staircase

The 2004 French television miniseries is now streaming on Netflix with three new episodes regarding the Michael Peterson case.

On December 9, 2001, novelist Michael Peterson made a 911 call that would change his life forever. Michael’s wife, Kathleen Peterson, had an accident that left her lying in a pool of blood at the bottom of a staircase in their home in Durham, North Carolina. Michael deemed it an accident, saying Kathleen fell down the stairs, but as the police started to investigate, they soon charged Michael with murder.

That fateful night is where The Staircase begins. The 2004 series from documentarian Jean-Xavier de Lestrade attempts to answer the question of how Kathleen Peterson died. The eight episodes follow Michael, his family, and lawyer, David Rudolf, from the night of the accident all the way through the trial. Despite no witness and proven murder weapon, the jury could not get past the lacerations on Kathleen’s head as well as Michael’s infidelity and possible involvement in a similar death in Germany. The series ends with the jury convicting Michael of first-degree murder, sentencing him to life in prison without parole.

In 2011, Lestrade and his crew returned to Durham after one of the key experts, Duane Deaver, was fired from the State Bureau of Investigation for false reporting in 34 cases. Rudolf and Peterson return to the court to argue for a retrial due to Deaver’s negligence. This new legal battle was the basis for The Staircase: Last Chance, which aired in 2013. The sequel ends with the judge granting the defense’s request for a retrial, and Michael is replaced under house arrest.

More from Netflix

• Bridgerton season 3: All the details to know about Penelope and Colin’s love story
• It’s a slow week on Netflix with only three new releases (Nov. 20)
• Exploding Kittens: From card game to Netflix animated series starring Tom Ellis
• The Crown and more Netflix shows and movies to stream this week (November 13)
• Escaping Twin Flames and more harrowing love-centered documentaries to watch on Netflix

The three new episodes of The Staircase, which premiered June 8 on Netflix, pick up in 2014, with Peterson still under house arrest as he fights to get exonerated for his alleged crime. Here are the main updates after viewing the new episodes.

Peterson Attempts To Get Case Dismissed

After serving eight years in prison as well as over two years on house arrest, Peterson is a shell of himself, having aged dramatically while losing his sense of humor. With news of the Deaver bombshell, Peterson, and his new legal team seek to get the case dismissed entirely. The defense argues that due to the contamination of evidence as well as the fact the SBI never tested for DNA on Kathleen’s clothes, the case should be dismissed. In 2016, the judge rules that it was the responsibility of Michael’s defense team to ask for a DNA test, not the state. Therefore, the motion to dismiss the case is denied, and Micheal is left with two options: work out a plea agreement or prepare for a new trial.

The Missing Blow Poke Was Found

Throughout the series, the prosecution argued that the probable murder weapon was a blow poke given to the Peterson’s by Kathleen’s sister, Candace Zamperini . During the original trial, the weapon was deemed missing by the investigators. However, Rudolf reveals to Michael that the police found the blow poke in 2001, moved it to the garage, and photographed it. However, the photo was never provided to the defense team. Investigators knew the location of the blow poke and still crafted their case around the “missing” weapon.

The Alford Plea

Michael is now 73 and wants this saga to end. Both sides would rather not go to trial so the compromise is an Alford plea. An Alford Plea is guilty plea, but the defendant asserts innocence. In other words, defendants know that there is evidence that might persuade the jury to reach a guilty verdict so instead of taking that risk, this is the alternative. Michael realizes that a new trial is not the best option, and despite asserting his innocence throughout the series, he signs the Alford plea due to his lack of faith in the justice system. Having already served the maximum sentence, Michael is placed off house arrest and is a free man.

Related Story: 5 Shows to Watch on Netflix in June

Did Michael Peterson kill his wife? Should Peterson have been convicted in the first place? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

All 13 episodes of The Staircase are available to stream on Netflix.