Author Archives: Joan Treppa

Realities of the Falsely Accused…

Leave a reply

Before starting my series on some of the most amazing people on the planet-exonerees, I’d first like to engage you in a little thought analysis.

My page was designed to leave my readers with a sense of things indescribable and a bit unsettling. I’d like you to imagine that you are a caged animal. No one is coming to rescue you from some hellish nightmare so devastating that you’ve become apathetic and devoid of all hope. Think about what affect this might have on your family, your best friends, and your coworkers. Imagine their desperation in wanting it to stop, in wishing for your safety. Then realize that this will never end and that everyone is uncertain about what to do about it because no one outside this immediate circle of people gives a damn.

Imagine something else. Take ten years of your life. Think about all that has happened during that time; weddings, funerals, trips, birthdays, promotions, anything sacred. Now take all of those precious images and wipe the slate clean. Pretend you weren’t there. They never happened. Sorry…you didn’t get to give that best man speech or help Mom when she fell ill. You were not there to help out when your grandchild was born or go to the funeral when your brother died. And guess what, there’s no chance of you getting that time or those experiences back…ever…unless of course… Nope, no such luck.

Then and only then, just maybe, we will have achieved a fraction of a sense of what it might be like to be an innocent person in prison; one who has been locked away for years or for the rest of their natural life. What’s more, many of these people feel forgotten, chastised, and hated by everyone (including fellow prisoners) because of the heinous nature of the crime.

It’s true. These are hardships felt by everyone in prison. But they are especially so for those who’ve done nothing wrong and were sent away anyway. For those mistakenly targeted, this nightmare has become their reality.

I’ve tried, but I’ve not reached the depth of that pit yet. I said as much one time to my good friend, Damon Thibodeaux (300th DNA exoneree, 2012), who spent fifteen years on death row. His reply to me was, “I hope that you never do know how that feels because that will mean you didn’t have to go through what I did. And that is a good thing”.

The compassion and love for life that I see in every exoneree I’ve met, has caused me to take a hard look at everything precious in my life. I am forever enriched because of the courage and determination these people possess. I hope that you thoroughly enjoy learning a little about these folks as I highlight a few of their stories.

A Life Changing Encounter…

Leave a reply

On April 3, 2001, after five and a half years of incarceration, Michael Piaskowski walked out of prison a free man. Mike is the only one of six men to have been exonerated of murder in regards to the 1992 death of fellow coworker, Tom Monfils.

It wasn’t until Thanksgiving weekend in 2009 that I met Mike for the first time at a book signing in his home town of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mike had helped author, Denis Gullickson and researcher, John Gaie complete a book about his case titled, The Monfils Conspiracy; The Conviction of Six Innocent Men. This project took eight years to complete because of its complex nature.

Photo w book authors 2009

Author John Gaie, advocate Clare Martinson, exoneree Michael Piaskowski, advocate Joan Treppa, and author Denis Gullickson at 2009 book signing 

I remember the brief opportunity to speak privately with Mike that day and how ignorant I was about what to say. The kindness of his words coupled with the absence of malice assured me I was in good company. Mike said to me, “I was fortunate enough to have been freed but the other five are still in prison and it is my duty to help them however I can”. I was touched by the lack of shame he exhibited as his eyes welled up with tears. I was moved by his openness about past feelings associated with having been newly incarcerated and his understanding of why prisoners are put under suicide watch for a period of two weeks after being locked up. I sincerely believe it was during that encounter that my mind was made up to get involved in the mission initiated by these gracious men.

Mike will tell you that he lost everything he worked hard for because of what happened. He lost his family, his home, and a good paying union job with a nice pension. He now has a job that pays little. He lives in modest surroundings. But as he points this out, you never get the sense that he’s complaining. Mike never goes down that path because of his gratefulness for the freedom that was returned to him. As with most people who’ve experienced what Mike has, he will never waste time reliving the anger he once felt. He has a way of shaming you into dismissing those same feelings and you walk away feeling humbled by his tenacity.

Cal Monfils with Mike Piaskowski

Cal Monfils (brother of decedent Tom Monfils) with exoneree Michael Piaskowski at a 2015 Walk for Truth and Justice in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Mike’s companion, Teresa, has helped put joy back into his life and he has reconnected with his family. And just as he tells you that he has no love for those who put him away, you get the sense that he tries to see good in all of them. Mike has not only influenced how I now view our judicial system but has become a dear friend and colleague.

P1040281

Teresa and exoneree Michael Piaskowski 

More information about the Wisconsin Monfils case.

The Miraculous Journey Begins…

Leave a reply

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…