MADISON, Wis. (AP) --  Attorneys for a Wisconsin inmate featured in the Netflix series "Making a Murderer" say they're disappointed that a federal appeals court has blocked his release from prison.

Brendan Dassey was convicted in 2007 of raping and killing Teresa Halbach and sentenced to life in prison. A federal judge in August overturned his conviction, saying investigators coerced him into confessing. State attorneys have appealed that ruling.

The judge this week ordered Dassey released from prison by 8 p.m. Friday. But a three-judge panel from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the release Thursday, saying Dassey must remain behind bars pending the resolution of his appeal.

Dassey's attorneys posted a statement online saying they were "disappointed more than words can say" with the appellate decision.

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(Earlier Version)

12 p.m.

A federal appeals court has ruled that a Wisconsin inmate featured in the Netflix series "Making a Murderer" must remain behind bars even though his conviction has been overturned.

Brendan Dassey was convicted in 2007 of raping and killing Teresa Halbach and sentenced to life in prison. A federal judge in August overturned his conviction, saying investigators coerced him into confessing. State attorneys have appealed that ruling.

The judge on Wednesday ordered Dassey released from prison by 8 p.m. Friday. The state Justice Department asked the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in an emergency motion to block the release.

A three-judge panel of the appeal's court on Thursday agreed to block Dassey's release, pending the resolution of the appeal.

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