US killer Brendan Dassey, drawn into the spotlight following the release of Netflix documentary series Making a Murderer, has had his request to be pardoned from his jail sentence denied.
He was convicted for the 2005 murder of young photographer Teresa Halbach along with his uncle Steven Avery.
Dassey has now lost a request to be pardoned from his sentence because it did not meet the criteria for consideration, the Associated Press reports, citing a letter from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.
Laura Nirider, Dassey's lawyer, did not respond to requests for comment.
Dassey's letter asking for a pardon said, "I am writing to ask for a pardon because I am innocent and want to go home".
He and his uncle Avery each received life sentences for the murder of Hallbach, whose charred remains were found at Avery's car salvage a week after she had photographed a minivan for sale.
Both have maintained their innocence in the murder. In August, a judge rejected Avery's bid for a new trial.
