In October of 2013, my husband and I, along with numerous other supporters of the Wisconsin Monfils case, attended a Benefit for Innocence; an annual gala hosted by the Innocence Project of Minnesota.
Claire Micoliczyk, Ardis Kutska, Brenda Kutska, WI exoneree Audrey Edmunds
Teresa Tario, WI exoneree Michael Piaskowski, Shirley DeLorme
Cal Monfils with WI exoneree Michael Piaskowski
Brenda Kutska, Kim and Deb Johnson
Mike Treppa, Erik Stewart
Linda and Johnny Johnson
The Benefit was held at the (former) Graves Hotel in Downtown Minneapolis. While the others engaged in conversation with fellow guests, examined items on display for the silent auction, etc., I stood alone canvasing the reception room, touting a small white paper sack containing special gifts. As was typical, I was on a mission, and on the lookout for the guest of honor and keynote speaker for that evening; California exoneree, Brian Banks.
I’d made a solemn promise to deliver precious cargo in person to Mr. Banks that evening; a task I had spent months preparing for. I was excited but a little nervous about my success in doing so, now that the time had come. As worried as I was about being bothersome, I was also very determined to keep my promise in delivering these special items.
I watched silently for the arrival of Brian Banks. I turned around and there he was, within a few feet of where I stood! The moment was nigh, with no time to waste. I took a deep breath as I approached him. Unable to calm my nerves, I introduced myself and blurted out that I had come bearing gifts. He was gracious despite my awkwardness, which had a somewhat calming effect. Still, I could hardly contain my excitement in showing him these treasures! Brian appreciated my sincerity and was visibly moved by this humble gift.
Joan explaining the contents of the paper bag to Brian Banks
Brian is the man he is today because of his tragic story. He wound up in prison because of a lie…
Brian Banks was accused, arrested, and later charged with two counts of forcible rape and one count of sodomy with a special circumstance of kidnapping. The year was 2002. He was sixteen years old with a dream of a lifetime waiting at his doorstep. Brian was, “…a blossoming football star and had verbally accepted a four-year scholarship to play at the University of Southern California.” But instead of fulfilling that dream, Brian was falsely accused of rape. The only place Brian was going was to prison, forcing him to postpone, even abandon any chance of pursuing a career in professional football. He was 26 years old when the California Innocence Project successfully aided in his exoneration in 2011. Brian actively tried once again to resume his football dream but he was not successful.
People tell lies. It happens all of the time. But how does one reconcile being sent to prison because of one? 25% of all exonerations regarding a rape charge end up being resolved because the accuser knowingly makes a false statement and later recants. In this case the accuser admitted, during a video-taped interview, that she had lied. But not before Brian had endured eleven combined years of being in prison and on probation. Never a thought was given to the consequences of her actions. Then after Banks was released, her aspirations were to reconnect and let “bygones be bygones”! Although charges, perjury or otherwise, were never brought against her, a lawsuit eventually was.
At the Benefit, Brian said he had spent a lot of time feeling angry over what had happened to him. But he was unwilling to waste any more time on those emotions. He now focuses on his work with the California Innocence Project, helping other wrongfully convicted people regain their freedom. And he does it with the same passion as when he played football.
What was in that paper sack that was so important? The book, The Monfils Conspiracy, which documents the Wisconsin Monfils case I’ve been involved with. Second, and equally important, were hand-written letters, addressed to Mr. Brian Banks, from five Wisconsin prisoners*, wrongly convicted of murder in this case. Reynold Moore, Dale Basten, Michael Hirn, Keith Kutska, and Michael Johnson had all been given the chance to share their deepest thoughts, hopes, and dreams with Brian Banks; a man who fully understands the importance of focusing on what truly matters and how challenging it can be to never give up.
Brian now has his own book which was published in 2019: 
A movie about his story hit theaters on August 9, 2019. Here’s the official trailer.
* All but one of the men mentioned in this posting have been paroled as of 2019. Keith Kutska still remains behind bars but his quest for freedom is ongoing. Sadly, Dale Basten, who was released in June of 2018, died nine months later.