Tag Archives: Innocence Project of Minnesota

“Hotrod Breakout”…A Benefit That’s Going Places…

I’d like to share a few thoughts about some of my dedicated friends; Rosemary and Pat Bonnett, Johnny and Linda Johnson, Chuck Brost, Jesse Hoffman and Eric Von Son for their enthusiastic efforts to assist me in helping those who’ve been wrongfully convicted. Their fervor to benefit those whose voices have been judged, criticized, condemned and ultimately silenced makes me proud to call them friends.

Last year, we all began to promote an organization known as The Innocence Project; a non-profit that represents the wrongfully convicted and helps alleviate the financial burdens they face. We combined talents to create a unique way of soliciting funds to further their mission. Our hope is for this event to become more popular over time and be a significant source of revenue to aid in freeing innocent victims.

The success of the Innocence Project is crucial because of the few and very humbling options these victims have which forces them to rely on the generosity of complete strangers. We must not forget that they have been unfairly criminalized as thugs, murderers and rapists who used to be more accurately seen as an integral part of civilized society-striving for the same amenities in life as all of us do. They were independent and responsible for their own lives. They lived and loved as we do before fate sent them down a much different path. To whatever end awaits them, achieving help from the often overstretched, under funded Projects takes a miracle.

Alas, in the wake of this dismal subject comes action and exciting details of an event we put together last year that we will repeat again this year. We’ve named it, Hotrod Breakout-a classic car show/benefit with proceeds going to the Innocence Project of Minnesota. We are currently getting ready to host our second annual to be held on Saturday, August 2, 2014 from 9 am to 2 pm. Last year we received many donated services and prizes, etc…but this year we are looking for sponsors to help cover costs that will give our event more exposure, make it much more enjoyable and attract even more attendees.

I will disclose more details soon but wanted to include in this piece, mention of the place hosting our event. Route 65 Classics in Ham Lake, Minnesota, “…is dedicated to the classic car and motorcycle enthusiasts looking for the car they “once had” or their dream car.” They answered our prayers last season by providing their location at no charge, and in addition, they made a large monetary donation to our cause. They’re providing the space again this year and have bridged connections to other businesses also willing to participate. We hope this event will be especially successful this year and that it will go down in history as the best car show ever…and one that will drive this wrongful conviction issue back into nonexistence!

The Substance of Dreams…

On October 28, 2013, I participated in an annual Walk for Truth and Justice held in Downtown Green Bay, as I’ve done for four years now. I relished in the time spent with close friends and families of the six men; Keith Kutska, Dale Basten, Michael Hirn, Michael Johnson, Reynold Moore and exoneree, Michael Piaskowski, convicted in the death of Tom Monfils in 1995. Some of my family members came along as well and I was grateful for their participation.

We met at 5:30 p.m. in the St. Willebrord’s Catholic Church parking lot and moseyed across the street where a sound system had been set up on the Courthouse steps. Three of us would be addressing a modest crowd that evening before embarking on our short trek; to the front of the Courthouse, towards the Church entrance to stop and recite a prayer, and then on past the Green Bay Police Department.

Excitement was overflowing this year. We were about to disclose a huge development regarding the case. Up until then, aside from the city’s law enforcement community, only those in our inner circle of family members and close supporters of these men were aware that a sizable Minneapolis law firm had begun a re-investigation of this historic case. No one else knew that the firm, Fredrikson&Byron, PA, had also received additional support from both the Wisconsin Innocence Project and Innocence Project of Minnesota AND that each of the five men still imprisoned now had his own attorney. In addition, it was going to be announced that this legal assistance was all being provided Pro Bono.

Word spread that I was responsible for much of these actions because of my influence in Minneapolis. The local media had gotten wind of the news and were there in full force. I was asked to be interviewed for the first time by three local news stations. Denis Gullickson, Master of Ceremonies and author of The Monfils Conspiracy; the book that directed my attention to this cause, also asked me to give a short speech. I was stunned and humbled when he introduced me as “St. Joan of Blaine”.

I’ve little recollection of what Denis said after that. All I know is that my cue to go up onstage came when I heard clapping. As I stepped behind the microphone, I stared out at the smiling faces. And as I blurted out something I hope was legible, in my mind I realized the full magnitude of what had developed out of a five year mission to free five wrongfully imprisoned men. All of the attendees, including Denis had placed so much value in my abilities and this venue was where they all thanked me. But my actions were my way of honoring all of them, to give them hope…and peace of mind. None of us would ever forget this experience. We all knew these developments were going to change their lives for the better.

I suppose it wouldn’t have mattered what I said in those few minutes. Their gratitude was evident. When I finished speaking, someone summed up the collective feelings of the crowd by shouting, “We love you!” It took tremendous effort to maintain my composure.

The walk concluded but the effects of that evening still linger…long after the signs and candles have all been put away for another year.

This is the kind of thing that dreams are made of, a dream that I, an unknown woman from Blaine, Minnesota, was proud to have become part of. This dream was theirs. It was coming true…for them. And no matter what happened from then on out, no one could ever take that away from them… which is just fine with me.

The Miraculous Journey Begins…

It’s time to share some milestones of the past five years on my mission to help free five innocent Green Bay, Wisconsin men. Life requires balance and this story combines both the ultimate destruction of innocent lives and unyielding heroism. I believe that this must be the story of the century with its ongoing twists and turns.

Bear in mind that I have no legal or marketing background but I seem to possess the ability to inspire and persuade others to buy books and lend a hand when needed. What took place as soon as my mission to aid five innocent men became clear, was absolutely crazy. People literally started showing up on my doorstep. And opportunities arose.

First miracle (2009): My sister, Clare, was dating and brought someone named John Gaie to our home to meet us. What stood out most about John was his having spent the past eight years doing research for a book about six men wrongfully convicted of murder back in 1995. I found the topic fascinating and shared my interest in reading it. I was captivated by the fact that one of the six had been exonerated, but the others were still incarcerated despite being tried together in a joint trial. I also felt a deep connection to these men even though I didn’t know them. I had been bullied as a child and their circumstance seemed similar in nature. Many accusatory fingers had been pointed in my direction. I was called names and often blamed for things I didn’t do. What had happened to these people didn’t seem all that different…except for the devastating results. Soon, John gave me a copy of The Monfils Conspiracy. From then on my life took on new meaning. I felt a greater purpose other than being a wife, mother, and employee. A space opened up in my heart for strangers…for a mission I knew I had prepared for all of my life. Not knowing quite what to do first, I started selling those books.

Second miracle (2010): I was at my mailbox one day as the neighbor drove up. He was carrying a passenger. It wasn’t just any passenger. It was someone who would end up being instrumental in advancing my mission. Johnny had a thirty-year background in law enforcement. He was intrigued by my book pitch. He bought a copy and insisted on paying for it even though I had objected. I did so because I knew on that day that I had found the guy who could help me find legal help for these men. Together we formed the most unusual and unstoppable duo.

Third miracle (2012): It took two very long years but Johnny and I found an attorney that would take on this monumental case and commit to having it reopened. We had gone with our spouses to a Benefit hosted by the Innocence Project of Minnesota. Johnny ran into Attorney Steve Kaplan while I was busy meeting Audrey Edmunds; a Wisconsin exoneree living in Minnesota. I learned Audrey was about to publish her own book. I offered to host a book signing for her and on the guest list I added Steve Kaplan. Steve had experience with wrongful conviction cases and belonged to a sizable Minneapolis law firm that could handle the finances!  Sure enough, that book signing led to another meeting that would seal the deal….

Stay tuned…