this is "nightline." >> tonight, a stunning reversal in a case that captured the nation. the hit documentary series "making a murderer." this learning disabled teen was a convicted killer. but now a federal judge says authorities led him into a false confession. >> come on, buddy, let's get this done, will brendan dassy go free? help me bring this to your kitchen. >> seeking fame and fortune. >> the hairstyle. the towels to the towel bar. >> for three easy payments of $19.99, we'll take you inside the pitch-a-thon where today's basement inventors hope to take their inventions to never before seen, to seen on tv. >> this would be huge, this would be our thing.

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murderer." ruling his confession was involuntary. now after nine years of incarceration, he may finally go free. here's my "nightline" coanchor dan harris. >> i grabbed her, put her on the side, tied her up -- >> reporter: this is 16-year-old brendan dassey confessing to murder. >> brought her outside and shot her. >> reporter: the teenager from wisconsin describing how he and his uncle steven avery raped and photographer teresa holback. today a stunning reversal. after nearly a decade behind bars a federal judge overturned his conviction, ruling the teen's confession was involuntary because investigators pushed him into it. dassey's trial was featured in netflix's true crime documentary sensation "making a murderer." the case sparked outrage among many viewers and dassey's defense team, who said that the beginning he was manipulated into confessing to a brutal

a lawyer who starred in "making a murderer" tweeting today, justice finally strikes. >> we're over the moon. >> reporter: laura nye ryder, one of dassey's lead attorneys and fiercest defenders. >> he's in shock. he's grateful. he's trying to process and understand what's happening. >> come on branagan, be honest. you can do it. tell us the truth. >> reporter: the judge today acknowledged doubts as to the reliability of confession but said the ruling hinged on whether the confession was given voluntarily, and based on dassey's age, intellectual deficits, and the absence of supportive adults, he determined it was not. dassey has maintained his innocence, making this emotional plea in a letter he read as part of the netflix documentary. >> i am innocent of the rape and murder of teresa holback. please help me if you can.

>> reporter: i set out to explore the question, if brendan dassey did not commit the crime, why would he confess? if this videotape really shows dassey falsely confessing what made the jury convict? >> we're going to laura's office. >> reporter: laura nye ryder. >> they're not banging the table, they're not threat ning him. does it fit into the classic model of coercive interrogations? >> absolutely, it does. >> reporter: at the time of his arrest branagan was a high school he had a low iq and was enrolled in special ed classes. he lived on the family salvage yard next to his uncle steven. who had been released from prison after serving 18 years for a rape he didn't commit. >> we're glad you're home, honey. >> reporter: then avery was arrested and charged with the murder of teresa holback. >> just have a seat. >> reporter: several months

>> cut her where? >> on her throat. >> it appeared hard to be able to argue it was coerced. >> reporter: len kachinsky was one of dassey's original court-appointed attorneys. he says when he watched the confession tape he became convinced there was no way a jury would believe dassey was innocent. kachinsky did try to get dassey's confession thrown out. >> the defendant's motion to suppress these statements is denied. >> what are your thoughts? >> we're disappointed. we're going to start over. >> reporter: kachinsky cut a plea deal, set up another interview with his client and the police. >> you and steve had this planned? yeah? yes or no? >> yeah. >> reporter: an interview kachinsky actually skipped because he says he had army reserve duty. >> how on earth could you opt out of that? >> with 20/20 hindsight, yeah, it was a mistake. >> reporter: for his failure to attend that meeting -- >> okay, why don't you sign

kachinsky from dassey's case. >> do you have a clear conscience? >> yes, i do. i did what i thought was in dassey's best interests. i don't think those mistakes had any impact at all on the verdict in dassey's case. >> reporter: several months later dassey went to trial with different attorneys and his confession dominated the proceedings. >> your job at the end of this case will be to decide whether that statement ought to be believed. >> when you watch the videos carefully, they'll be exposed for what they are. ani garbage. >> reporter: dassey himself took the stand. >> you made it up? >> yeah. >> reporter: sticking to his story, even under tough cross examination. >> you lied to the police? >> yes. >> are you lying today? >> no. >> reporter: the prosecutor at dassey's trial made this confident assertion. >> people who are innocent don't confess. the defendant confessed because he was guilty. because he did it. >> reporter: but the fact is, innocent people do confess. richard offshy is one of the leading defense experts on

of the central park five. >> i grabbed her arm. i grabbed one arm, grabbed her legs and stuff. >> reporter: five teenagers who confessed in gruesome detail to attacking and raping a 28-year-old woman in the spring of 1989. >> any time he would talk smack he'd say, shut up, smack her. >> reporter: these confessions were all false. >> they came to believe that they would only be able to minimize their punishment if they cooperated with the police. >> reporter: of four people wrongly convicted and later exonerated by dna evidence have made a false confession or incriminating statement. >> when you look at brendan dassey's confession what do you see? >> i see something that almost makes one ashamed to be an american. it's that bad. they get him to say anything that they want him to say. >> i don't feel, if i was faced by cops accusing me of a crime i did not commit, that i would confess to it.

>> and that's the difference. those are the people i never see. the ones i see tend to think, i've got to get myself out of this. and probably your income is a bit higher than the average person. >> reporter: laura nye ryder break down the video point by point to demonstrate how she says the interrogators railroaded dassey. >> we just need to hear the whole story from you. >> they reduce him over time to a place where that he can convince these officers of his innocence. when he's at that position of hopelessness, then the officers officer hoffer him a way out. >> your mom said to be honest with you. she's behind you 100% no matter what happens here. that's what she said, because she thinks you know more too. we're in your corner. >> you see brendan believe the officers and say, i have to say the things they want me to say. >> reporter: even when dassey

analysis he offers up no information that was not already widely reported in the media. >> the 25-year-old photographer disappeared last halloween, last seen taking pictures at the avery salvage yard. >> reporter: or directly fed to him by investigation. >> i'm just going to come out and ask you, who shot her in the head? >> he did. >> why didn't you tell us that? >> because i couldn't think of it. >> reporter: we reached out to the detectives in this video for comment but our efforts were not successful. prosecutors in have 90 days to decide whether to appeal today's decision or retry him. if they do neither, he could an free man once again. for "nightline," this is dan harris in new york. but wait, there's more? next we go inside the telebrands pitc pitch-a-thon where products go from brand new to brand name. later what are those olympic

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whoever said necessity is the mother of invention the pitch-a-thon where hungry inverters compete for the right to brand their product with the coveted "as seen on tv" name. one of these inventions is the next multi-million dollar idea. we're going to visit these dreamers. here's abc's nick watt. >> this is really nice. >> reporter: van and kirsten are prepping for the biggest day of their young lives. >> a little bit nervous. probably more excited. >> yeah. >> reporter: right now van, air

she's a dental assistant. but they've come up with an invention -- >> i mean, it is all on the line now. >> reporter: -- that could revolutionize an american institution and make them rich. makes two pies in one. >> this would be huge. this would be our thing. this would be -- i'm near speechless of how big this event and how much it would mean to us if this would be successful. >> good morning, san diego! >> reporter: welcome to the response expo. 10 man kules. >> unlimited hairstyles. >> reporter: the telebrands pitch-a-thons of "as seen on tv" logo fame. kristin and van vying for a slot with the mother of inventors. >> i'm the inventor of fact wise. >> clip on knee pads. >> help me bring this to your kitchen. >> reporter: many have traveled from afar. >> i'm ready to head halfway across the country.

tank," these inventors are here to pitch the next big idea. >> woke up feeling it. >> didn't hardly sleep, yeah. we didn't hardly sleep. like a kid on christmas eve. >> reporter: the stakes couldn't be higher. >> and how much money have you poured into this so far? >> $250,000. >> what? >> reporter: now we used to call them infomercials. >> a-spray your butt, a-spray your feet, a-spray your privates -- >> reporter: incredible demonstrations. >> the beginzu so sharp it can slice a tomato like this. >> reporter: bizarre products. >> it appears you're just checking out your club. leak-proof, easy to clean, no embarrassing moments. >> reporter: hard sell. >> call now in the next 20 minutes because you know we can't do this all day. >> reporter: these days it's called direct response marketing. even in this internet and tivo age age, still a multi billion dollar a year business. today vying for that "as seen on tv" logo and lucre --

>> reporter: a back massager, two tennis balls and a sock. >> that feels good. >> reporter: clip-on knee pads. and april from hawaii's towel belt. >> it fashionably secures towels to the towel bar where they belong. >> i don't know that i need this. i probably do. but i didn't know two minutes ago. >> right, because you didn't know it existed. >> reporter: shane's got a potty. tells your dog waiting by the door not to poop on the rug. >> wait a minute, rex, hold it in, i'll be rig let him out. >> woof, i need to poo, let me out. >> reporter: from van and kirsten -- >> have a pie within a pie, two flavors in one. >> reporter: not sure whether you want pumpkin or pecan? have both. >> it came with trial and error. >> reporter: let's meet a judge. what's tickling your fancy so far? >> not much so far. >> reporter: oh, dear. >> he's the real deal. >> reporter: step four, leeza gibbons of facelift launched a

>> let me tell you about one other product you may want. you can imagine how many doors have been slammed on these inventers. they stay in the game because every now and then there are success stories of when that worked. >> reporter: for every success like snuggie -- >> enjoy a snack while staying smuggy and warm -- >> reporter: there are the in each prodniche products that ne get that traction. >> have more time to practice putting with the potty putter. >> i'm van, this is kirsten -- >> wa smile, it's going well so far. >> reporter: the product? >> you're pie people. >> pie people, yes. pie people. >> this is kind of ingenious in that it's so basic that you wonder how come no one invented this before. that's the best stuff. >> what's your sweet spot? >> sweet spot is products that solve a common problem. >> every time i go to someone's house they say, my dog keeps pooping on the floor. >> if you've got a product that appeals to the widest audience, that you can demo, demo, demo,

trifecta. >> what is the ideal price window? >> well, it's anywhere from $10 to $39.99. it has been for a while. >> first there was the transistor radio. then the headphones. now music vest. the only fashion and personal south systems currently sweeping the country. >> $19.99 is a great price point. >> how much this is? >> right now about $20. >> ding ding ding! winner chicken dinner! >> i would also do chicken on the outside, apple in the entree and dessert. >> that's brilliant. that's brilliant! >> thank you. >> could you do that? >> yes, absolutely. >> reporter: it's judgment day. only three inventors are invited to pitch investors. april's towel belt. >> i woke up feeling like, oh, okay, maybe i am still a little nervous. but it will be good. >> reporter: and shane's got a potty. >> i enjoy talking about it so

colossal heavyweights, will they bite or chew up our ingenues and spit them out? >> this is my product the towel belt -- >> reporter: which doesn't set the room on far. >> there are other ways to market. >> reporter: gotta potty. >> i record, "gotta go outside." >> reporter: will shane recoup his quarter-million-dollar investment and more? >> i'm nick watt for "nightline" -- >> reporter: wait, there's more. >> we've been working on this for a really long time. >> yes, we have. >> i know you're ready. >> hello, everyone. my name's van dexter, a product developer and a lover of pie. >> reporter: solid start. >> yeah. sorry. >> reporter: ouch. >> sorry, i'm a little nervous. >> reporter: but -- >> that nervous energy is very natural.

>> reporter: sweet tooths all around. but they want some more market research before committing. >> it's a new concept. you're asking people, will they consider two pies in one? >> reporter: revolution. that's what it is. i'm nick watt for "nightline," san diego, california. and next, the real reason these olympians are chomping on their medals. i'm billy, and i quit smoking with chantix. i decided to take chantix to shut everybody else up about me quitting smoking. i was going to give it a try, but i didn't really think it was going to really happen. after one week of chantix, i knew i could quit. along with support, chantix (varenicline) is proven to help people quit smoking. chantix definitely helped reduce my urge to smoke. some people had changes in behavior, thinking or mood, hostility, agitation, depressed mood and suicidal thoughts or actions while taking or after stopping chantix. some had seizures while taking chantix.

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and finally tonight, of course olympic medals are but it might surprise you to learn what they're really made of. here's abc's matt gutman. >> reporter: it has become a classic post-race pose. olympians showing off their golden appetite. turns out it's an old method of testing whether a medal is pure. olympic gold medals haven't been made out of solid gold since 1912. today's medals only contain about 1.34% gold. the rest, sterling silver.

gold medal today, it's worth about $564. >> reporter: some wind of being worth more than others. jesse owens' track and field medal from the 1936 games auctioned off for nearly $1.5 million. >> the important thing are the stories behind. michael phelps, the final five, could be one of the best stories in olympic history. you know that those medals are going to go for very high value. >> reporter: but the be awarded at these games shouldn't be too disappointed. countries like kazakhstan give each of their gold medal winners $250,000. malaysia awards its winners with a solid gold bar. for a gold medalist representing the red, white and blue? $25,000 that uncle sam will tax as income earned abroad. for "nightline," i'm matt