FREMONT, WIS. - Debbie Klemp admits people might see her friendship with Steven Avery as an "odd" relationship. But Klemp insists Avery is innocent and said she wanted to help him when she heard about the case against Avery.

Klemp first learned of Avery's case when she watched TV news coverage of the charges against him. She told TODAY'S TMJ4 reporter Mick Trevey that she did not believe the police theory about Avery killing Halbach, saying, "I really don't think he did this."

So Klemp decided to write Avery a letter. She explained her reaction to media coverage of the case by saying, "what they were saying and what was happening just didn't add up. And I thought well, I'll write him a letter of support."

That was the beginning of the friendship between a small-town woman and an accused murderer. Avery and Klemp wrote each other many times. The letters talk of everyday things - like Klemp getting a new job and Avery passing the time in jail. Avery wrote a birthday card to Klemp on a sheet of notebook paper.

There is also a religious tone to the letters. Klemp is a devout Lutheran. She said Avery became a Christian in April of 2006. Avery's letters to Klemp talk about Jesus; and Klemp said Avery is regularly visited by a pastor.

Klemp and Avery also talk on the phone often.

"The first time he called me was on Thanksgiving day of 2005," she recalled. Sometimes Avery calls Klemp collect every day. Klemp has spent thousands of dollars on collect phone charges to pay for the calls. She indicated that a 30-minute call costs about $20.

Klemp has also become friends with members of Avery's family, including his parents Alan and Dolores. She has gone to visit the family at their Manitowoc County junkyard and stayed overnight. The junkyard is where investigators allege Avery killed Teresa Halbach and burned her body. Klemp said she feels both safe and at ease visiting there.

Klemp said she believes Steven Avery is innocent and supports his claims that he is being framed in the Halbach murder case. She also indicated that Avery's prior criminal record, including threatening a woman with a gun in 1981, is not a concern for her.

Klemp is married and is a grandmother. She insisted her relationship with Avery is only a friendship. Klemp's husband also talks to Avery, and Avery wants to go out to dinner with Debbie Klemp and her husband if he is found innocent.

Trevey talked to Klemp about how she would react if Avery is not convicted:

Trevey: "If he gets out, would you let him come to your house?"
Klemp: "Yes."
Trevey: "Would you let him stay overnight?"
Klemp: "Yes. Even if I had my grand kids here, I'd feel safe."


Klemp has visited Avery in jail a number of times. However, she said Avery's lawyers advised him to only allow family members as jail visitors. Klemp has stopped visiting but continues to write Avery and talk to him on the phone. She planned to attend the trial some days. It is about an hour drive from her home to the courthouse.

Klemp said she set out to help Avery when she contacted him. But she said that over time, their friendship has become important support for both of them - even if the relationship is highly unusual.

Watch unedited interview Part 1

Watch unedited interview Part 2