A beautiful summer-like evening welcomed this year’s Great North Innocence Project (GN-IP) Gala. The event themed, Ripple Effects, was held at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis on September 24, 2025. Joining us this year were my sister, Clare and fellow innocence advocate, Mark Charron. Also joining us for the first time was one of our six guys, Keith Kutska. Former attorneys, Steve Kaplan and John Lundquist, both of whom worked on Keith’s post-conviction appeal, were in attendance and had come over to greet us shortly after we arrived. They whisked Keith away to introduce him to other notable people throughout the evening.

We all were excited for a rare opportunity to meet the evening’s keynote speaker/exoneree, Jarett Adams.

Image courtesy of the GN-IP

Among the exonerees we met that evening for the first time was Edgar Barrientos-Quintana who was wrongfully convicted in 2009 and exonerated in 2024. I mention him in my third edition of Reclaiming Lives while citing an article written by the current Hennepin County Prosecutor, Mary Moriarty. In the article, Why I prioritized establishing a conviction integrity unit in Hennepin County, Moriarty writes, “Barrientos-Quintana’s case presents numerous issues that often show up in cases of wrongful conviction. Those include flawed eyewitness identification procedures, coercive interviews of youth witnesses, failure to disclose exculpatory evidence and failure to recognize obvious evidence of innocence once the investigation locked into a narrative of guilt.”

I shared with Edgar the mention of him in my book and gifted him a copy. I also made it a point to meet supportive family members of his who had accompanied him that evening. They all are exceptional people full of warmth.

We chatted with our friend and MN exoneree, Michael Hansen, who was dining with his wife, Shaylee, at a picnic table nearby. As I gave him a copy of my third edition I asked, “You know that there’s a picture of you in my book from when you participated in one of our car shows, right? “There is?” Mike inquired excitedly. “Yes! I also have a summary of your case and describe how we first met! Look! I said. I turned to the photo section. “Wow, that’s cool! I do remember that.” Mike recalled.

Mike Hansen speaking at a 2015 ‘Hotrod Breakout’ car show/fundraiser

As we enjoyed buffet style offerings of delectable food items at our picnic table, I kept an eye out for a specific GN-IP client who was exonerated in 2023, Marvin Haynes. Haynes had attended the 2024 Benefit for Innocence. However, that was prior to my realizing a prior connection between us. I wanted to refresh his memory of that connection and to introduce myself this time around. (This specific instance warrants a separate blog posting so, stay tuned for that.)

Joan and Marvin Haynes

Following dinner was a presentation with awards being given out and various speakers. It was then when we learned unexpectedly that two Wisconsin exonerees were in attendance. Two brothers, David and Bobby Bintz, had been represented by the GN-IP, with pro bono support from Chestnut Cambronne, and the Wisconsin Innocence Project (WIP). The brothers were exonerated in 2024 and were among the many exonerees being recognized during this event.

We made it a priority to meet the Bintz brothers, mainly because of the common thread that linked their case with the Monfils case. The same prosecutor, John Zakowski, who by the way, continues to be a Circuit Court Judge despite the growing list of overturned convictions on his record as prosecutor, is that link. We spent quite a bit of time visiting with David and Bobby, two great guys who were more than willing to pose for numerous photos.

Bobby Bintz, Clare Martinson, Joan, and David Bintz

David, Keith, Bobby  

The Bintz brothers are currently involved in a $2 million dollar lawsuit (for each) which would provide compensation for their wrongful convictions. Both entering their seventies, they have no sustaining income or other financial prospects. The standard $5,000/year with a cap of $25,000 in Wisconsin is inadequate given their situation. In fact, Jarrett Adams recently spoke directly to the Wisconsin Claims Board on their behalf about what they deserve: “…real compensation—not capped payouts and red tape.”

Clare and Bobby

Mike and David

Adams’ keynote address was inspiring, full of hopeful sentiment, and insight. His humble disposition was representative of the many exonerees I’ve met in the past. His frankness in combatting wrongful convictions and ability to now make a difference through his law firm Jarrett Adams Law sent an undeniable surge of energy throughout the entire room.

Inspiring speech given by Keynote speaker, Jarrett Adams

A philosophical analysis of wrongful convictions…

In anticipation of meeting Adams, I had prepared a gift bag which included a copy of my third edition and a copy of The Monfils Conspiracy. Following the program I approached him during a rare interval between visits with other attendees. He was so welcoming. “This is for you.” I handed the bag to him. He looked inside, excitement growing on his face. He was grateful for my gift, AND super excited to dig into both books. His assistant also examined the books with great interest.

Joan with  Jarrett Adams

“I’ll be right back. I want to put these where I won’t forget them,” Adams said as he rushed to a nearby table. He was back in a flash. We all proceeded to visit with him at length. He and Keith bonded immediately so we gave them space to converse. I spoke with Adams again later on. “How can I reach you? he had asked. “My email address is inside my book, I explained. “Great, he said. Expect to hear from me.”

Joan with Jarrett Adams and Keith 

Keith especially enjoyed connecting with Adams and many other exonerees. Having an opportunity to also meet GN-IP Executive Director, Sara Jones, GN-IP Legal Director, Jim Mayer, and so many others felt like a big deal to him. He later shared how relevant he had felt all evening and expressed the warmth that radiated from everyone he had met. “It felt like a safe place with no one judging me,” he had said afterward.

Joan, Keith, Sara Jones

Bobby,  Jim Mayer, Keith

As I continue to support and advocate for Keith and his codefendants through book events and other events similar to this, I am filled with the satisfaction of having told them repeatedly through letters while incarcerated, about the vast amount of support they have on the outside. Now…they get to experience that support in real time…

A quick note: I recently won a book award for this third edition. How fitting for a story full of champions!

My publisher embossed the decal onto the front cover image which will be present on future printed copies.

FYI: Jarrett Adams has also written a memoir called Redeeming Justice.

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