Dassey settles into routine at Manitowoc jail

This story was originally published by The Post-Crescent on April 29, 2007.

Brendan Dassey is getting used to life in the Manitowoc County Jail while he awaits sentencing for his role in the Teresa Halbach homicide.

Dassey, 17, said he isn't doing any schoolwork or reading as he did in the 13 months he was housed in a juvenile facility at Sheboygan while awaiting trial.

He said he read all the Harry Potter books, and is waiting for the next installment to come out in July.

"I read in Sheboygan but I ain't now," he said Saturday.

Dassey said he can make as many phone calls as he wants, but the time is limited. He's doing "pretty good," but doesn't do much besides eat and watch TV.

His favorite shows are "Smallville" on Thursday nights, and professional wrestling on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. And he prefers the food — burritos and pizza — at the Manitowoc jail to Sheboygan.

He wanted to be a video game designer when he finished high school, but isn't close to getting the credits he needs to graduate.

He only had one driver's education class left when he was arrested, Dassey said.

Now, he said, he can't play video games.

"I asked for a Game Boy and they said no," he said. "They have a game room (in the jail) but I didn't go there yet."

He doesn't sleep well, and said "yeah" when asked if he cries. "It takes me an hour or three hours to get to sleep. It takes me a while," he said.