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.

“Guys! I’ve been invited to give a presentation for an organization called The Green Bay Area Retired Men’s Club. They meet every Tuesday at the Brown County Library and they have 200+ members! I’m scheduled for Tuesday, July 25th. Who wants to join me?”

Mission Statement: “The Green Bay Area Retired Men’s Club provides a welcoming, friendly, social, organized, entertaining, and educational experience to promote camaraderie among the members. It focuses on social events, speakers, and tours.”

This opportunity to speak to such a large and diverse group of local men was a significant prospect for us. It was imperative that we make the most of it. I remembered meeting members of this group years ago when I accompanied John Gaie and Denis Gullickson who were invited in to talk about their newly published book, The Monfils Conspiracy. The feeling I had walked away with was one of respect and acceptance. I had witnessed a definite willingness by club members to listen to what eight years of research had revealed about this case. There was no reason to think that this second appearance in 2023 would be any different. A great platform for opening minds, initiating future actions, and soliciting new connections would also provide another equally important aspect of this mission that would become clear during the event. It was something I had not considered.

In a meeting to discuss the details prior to this event, I reassured the guys of my belief that this will be a positive experience. I expressed the importance of allowing the public to see who they really are. I shared with them something I’ve heard time and again, that once people meet them it becomes clear that they are not the “union thug murderers” they were portrayed as by the media and in the courtroom. I stressed that only they can convey the true scope of this tragedy.

Michael Piaskowski: Exonerated: Jan 8, 2001, Released: Apr 3, 2001

December 18, 2018

July 3, 2019: Mike and Joan Treppa with Kim and Mike Johnson the day Johnson was paroled

Michael Piaskowski, Michael Hirn and Michael Johnson, not only agreed to being there, they all agreed to participate in a highly visible way rather than merely sitting in the audience. We must remember that these are regular guys who went to hell and back after having been convicted of a brutal murder. One exonerated, the others paroled, but not before losing precious time behind bars. It was only fitting that they now be allowed to share their truths of what happened inside the paper mill on that fateful day. A valid concern of exposing themselves to retribution from an uninformed audience unwilling to hear the true facts is never far from their minds, despite facts that are now widely available which strongly support their absolute innocence.    

Samples of the kinds of scrap wire found at the James River Paper Mill

Samples of the slurry inside the pulp vat

Following an informative presentation that covered the new facts, new developments, and insightful readings from the guys, I made my way out of the auditorium to a large open area where my husband had set copies of my book on a side table for members to purchase. In passing I overheard one member say to another, “That was a powerful presentation.” Many others expressed genuine thank yous as I walked passed them.

Rope and weight found around Tom Monfils neck.  

This type of knot found on the rope and weight was labeled by the crime lab as “nautical in nature.” Their recommendation during the original investigation was to have the knots analyzed by the Coast Guard. This was never done

In hindsight, this event accomplished more than we could have imagined…

Some members came over to the table to make their purchases and to share their impressions of this case and its aftermath. I was dumbfounded by this extraordinary declaration from two of them: “What you are doing is really helping this community to heal.” I was rendered speechless. Once again, proof that this mission…journey for justice…however it gets defined, has never been a waste of time.

Many club members stayed well after the presentation to chat with all of us. The three guys received congratulatory handshakes and encouragement. We all heard appreciation of our efforts to inform. One member mentioned that ours was one of the best presentations they’ve had.

What we learned about these Club members: Some had worked at the mill. Some had family members who were directly affected by this tragedy. Some had witnessed the dire effects that this case has had on their community. One hundred fifteen men in attendance with a story of their own to share, in regard to a death in the early 1990s…at a paper mill…in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

7-27-2023 (LtoR) Clare Martinson, Mike Johnson, Joan Treppa, Mike Treppa, Linda Patzke, Mike Hirn, Mike Piaskowski at the Retired  Men’s Club event.