An Evening at the Weidner…

This posting, which is long overdue, has the link to an important panel discussion that took place on March 26, 2024. The event was held at The Weidner; a performing arts center on the University of Wisconsin’s Green Bay (UWGB) campus. It was attended by nearly 200 people.

A special thank you to Nolan Bennett, Professor of Democracy&Justice Studies and Political Science at UWGB who so graciously dedicated the Spring semester to educating his students on the Monfils case. Throughout the semester, Bennett coordinated a screening of the Beyond Human Nature documentary and diligently orchestrated many visits with those of us heavily involved in the case to share our knowledge and advocacy with his students.

Joan and Keith’s visit to Nolan Bennett’s class on February 29, 2024.

Keith Kutska and I spoke to one of Bennett’s classes on Thursday, February 29, 2024. It was Keith’s first public appearance since his release on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. Like his codefendants prior to their public appearances, Keith was nervous about how the students would react to him. Based on my past experiences with students, I reassured him that this visit would likely be positive.

In fact, Keith was delighted by how welcoming, engaging, and inquisitive the students were. And when asked a thought-provoking 2-part question, Keith answered as honestly and sincerely as he could. The student wanted to know if, in hindsight, Keith would have acted differently in confronting Monfils, and if he regretted his actions on that day. “Yes, I regret what happened after I confronted Tom. If I knew how badly things were going to get I would have done it in private.”

Keith was gracious and thoughtful in his interactions with the students. Afterwards some of them came up to him to shake his hand and thank him for sharing his experience. I could see how deeply his presence had impacted them.

The panel discussion at the Weidner was the finale for the semester. Following opening remarks by Dean Ryan Martin and Professor Bennett, I recited a thorough summary of the case to the audience. Bennett then conducted a two-hour Q&A with seven of us; codefendants in the case: Michael Piaskowski, Michael Hirn, and Michael Johnson, retired Attorney Steve Kaplan, Cal Monfils (brother of Tom Monfils), author Denis Gullickson, and myself. The feedback we all received following the discussion was gratifying. In our ongoing mission to educate the public on the merits of this case, we had once again succeeded in sharing crucial facts that had been blatantly ignored for decades; facts that could have determined a much different outcome in this case.

(L to R) Joan Treppa, Michael Johnson, Michael Piaskowski, Steve Kaplan, Denis Gullickson, Cal Monfils, Michael Hirn. At the podium, Professor Nolan Bennett.

And now…here is the discussion in its entirety. Please note that the actual discussion begins at the eleven minute mark:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2ikedSyLGI 

Two Veterans…One Personal Mission…

On this Veterans Day we honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I’d like to also pay tribute to two Veterans in particular that not only served dutifully in the Army but who have dedicated their lives to serving in other important ways as well.

It’s been my absolute privilege to have known these two distinguished gentlemen; Exoneree Michael “Pie” Piaskowski and Retired Crime Scene Expert Johnny Johnson.

Allow me to explain how they met:

“Johnny introduced himself when they walked in. His attention soon zeroed in on the hat Mike Pie was wearing, which revealed he had served in the US Army. Johnny was an army veteran too, which gave them plenty to talk about. They soon realized that they had served in a similar area in Vietnam. “Assisting veterans is what I do,” Johnny said that day. For a brief time, Johnny had assisted my neighbor, Ken, with veteran’s concerns. It is why I ran into him at my mailbox, and it was why I had the opportunity to ask for his help. There was no mistaking the bond already forming between Johnny and Mike Pie or the opportunity that this instance presented—Johnny’s ability to aid this veteran in his personal mission.”  – Excerpt from Reclaiming Lives

After realizing their similar connection they became close friends and together, fought another important uphill battle or personal mission if you will, closer to home. What occurred as a result of this partnership and their collaborations with many others is nothing short of AMAZING.

Read the full story in my book, Reclaiming Lives:

Kirk House Publishers

Amazon 

Or simply purchase through PayPal on this website (at the top right corner of this page).

THANK YOU!

Mike Pie and Johnny Johnson; two regular guys taking a breather in the midst of an important mission. Photo taken at the 2016 Hotrod Breakout fundraiser/car show in Minnesota.

Underscoring the Relevancy While Connecting the Dots…

I’m always amazed by the people I meet, especially when I participate in book events in Minnesota.

Some of the 45 books being sold at the book fair

On Saturday, April 20, I was among forty-five local authors at the Northtown Mall Book Fair in Blaine, MN. I assert that these types of events are definitely about quality over quantity. Crowds are often light and I seldom sell that many books. However, I choose to partake in them because I can always count on engaging in deep discussions with folks who live in Minnesota who have some close tie to either this case or to the legal system. Underscoring the relevancy by connecting the dots…it’s what I do. And this past Saturday was no different.

Rope and Weight around Tom Monfils’ neck

Paper Pulp Vat where body was found

Visiting the five guys in prison    

A guy stepped up to my table to look at the (above) series of photos. His first utterance was, “Why does this all seem so familiar to me?”

I shared details of the case and he looked at me in disbelief. “I’m from Green Bay and my Dad worked at a paper mill! Which mill was this?”

After determining that his Dad had worked at a different mill, I asked, “Do you remember what his general opinion was of what happened at James River?” He stated that everyone in the industry knew it wasn’t murder, which is the same feedback I receive on a frequent basis.

“I need to get a few of your books to pass around.”  He then left.

A woman soon approached. She studied the array of photos. “What’s all this?”

After a brief discussion she shared that she’s a lawyer and expressed her dismay of the outcome in this case. Turns out, she is aware of who our Minneapolis attorney, Steve Kaplan, is. In fact, her face revealed a sense of respect for the man.

When I summarized the contents of the book “and all of the crazy things we tried to do” to find legal assistance for the convicted men, she was in awe. Her analogical take was that most folks who learn of various situations typically fail to take action beyond a brief acknowledgement of how tragic it is. She was “impressed” with how involved I had become for the sake of strangers.

I’m deeply touched and humbled when folks tell me that I have no idea the lives I’ve touched or how I’ve contributed to the healing of others. They say, “You are a blessing to many!”

The conversations such as the ones I have at these events seem to indicate this. And my response is always the same; that this experience of being an advocate has greatly touched and healed my soul as well.