As I walked past a grocery store a woman came out carrying an impossible load of groceries. At her finger tips she straddled a six pack of beverages. It was obvious that she was struggling. But I kept on walking. The sound of glass crashing to the cement still did not compel me to turn around and lend a hand. Instead I chose to feel ashamed and embarrassed, fearing that if I helped her now she might be angry that I did not come to her aid sooner. When I share this story some ask. “Why didn’t she use a cart?” I say, “Why didn’t I help?” When others suggest I should let it go and move on, I say, “Not in a million years!”

In 2009, I was given the chance to put that very idea, of helping out at a moment’s notice, to the test in a big way. I learned of an actual legal case in which six innocent men, labeled the “Monfils Six,” had been sent to prison for a crime they did not commit.

Who are the “Monfils Six?”

While at work at the James River Paper Mill in Green Bay on the morning of November 21st, 1992, mill worker Tom Monfils disappeared from his work station and was later found dead at another location inside the mill. Despite evidence pointing to suicide, the police assumed an “angry mob” of his coworkers had murdered him. A two-and-a-half-year investigation centered on six men who had been working at the mill that day. On October 28, 1995, Keith Kutska, Michael Piaskowski, Michael Hirn, Michael Johnson, Dale Basten, and Rey Moore were tried together in a joint trial and given life sentences. All of them have, to this day, maintained their absolute innocence.

Let’s set aside for a moment, my inability to determine guilt or innocence. After learning more of the disturbing details—many of which were known all along but blatantly ignored—it became apparent to me that I could not and should not walk away this time. I joined forces with authors John Gaie and Denis Gullickson, who had recently completed many years of research into this case, and who had published a book filled with their findings. John and Denis were committed to seeking legal representation for the six men. Their aim was to correct this grave injustice, to help vindicate the character of the men, and to bring them home once and for all. I signed on to becoming an advocate, a public voice for the men and their families: a voice that, unlike theirs, would not be silenced.

Many people charged with crimes they did not commit, have little or no money to seek adequate legal help. They are caught off guard by a system they believe is fair and just, often with little recourse. They sit in prison, praying for someone to care about what has happened to them. Many of them write letters trying to find help but with very little luck which only serves to bottom out an already defeated soul.

I learned of an organization called the Innocence Project (IP), an organization that charges nothing to represent incarcerated people with legitimate claims of innocence. The good news is that the IP is more than willing to help if they can. The bad news is that they rely heavily on public donations to fund their work, funds that are often inadequate. So they are forced to turn away many desperate cries for help.

It was the idea of my artistic son, Jared Manninen, to “get me out there” by helping me to create this website, to highlight what’s been achieved on behalf of the six innocent men, especially when things started progressing in a positive manner. It felt like a real leap of faith. I honestly didn’t think that my getting involved would make much of a difference. I could not have been more wrong!

My son, Jared, again prompted me to further document our activities by writing a book of my own, a legible human interest story to highlight our grassroots efforts. Talk about a bigger leap of faith! Me? Write a book? But he offered his assistance and together we assembled a narrative that resonated with interested readers. Before long, more editions were published as major developments continued to surface.

I’m proud to report that because of the many years of dedication by many who joined this journey for justice, all of the men are now free. However, to date, only one of the five, Michael Piaskowski, has been exonerated. As for the other five, the road is still fraught with uphill legal battles to achieve the same.

But here’s my take on what the future holds: Our journey is not yet complete. I will continue to educate the public on the actual facts of this case when I’m asked to give talks and through my book. Will doing so increase the chances for exonerations for all of the men? Time will tell. But I will never allow myself to believe otherwise.

There are many problems too large for this advocate to change. But if I can at least make a small dent in my tiny corner of the world, maybe it will filter up and affect the larger picture.

I thank all of you who have joined me in this journey for justice. You…who have shown unbelievable compassion and who have cared enough to listen to and help share my message. Without your help, these folks would have no hope for any kind of a future. Without all of us, they could never realize their dreams…something all of us can relate to.