Category Archives: Monfils Case

An Especially Glaring Implication…

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Sometime during the morning of Friday, March 28, 2014, Brian Kellner, one of the prosecution’s star witnesses in the Tom Monfils 1995 murder case, died from a blood clot, (possibly) induced from treatments he was undergoing for cancer.

I found the following listing in the Green Bay Press-Gazette the next day on Saturday, March 29, 2014. Even though it was a last minute addition to the paper with little time to elaborate on the life of this person, it still saddened me to note the lack of substance it contained, despite Mr. Kellner’s vastly publicized and historically critical role in what continues to be one of the most publicized court cases in all of Wisconsin. I couldn’t help but feel extreme loneliness and isolation for this man.

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Obituary

Kellner, Brian A.

Brian A. Kellner, 57, Denmark, died Friday, March 28, 2014. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Blaney Funeral Home.

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On the exact same day that this announcement appeared, there was a related interview published in the online version of the Green Bay Press-Gazette given by Randy Winkler; the lead detective in the Monfils case. Winkler, who successfully achieved the convictions of six (innocent) men, proceeds to chastise Mr. Kellner by stating rather proudly how he “bluffed” Kellner into giving a (false) statement.

Note: After realizing the implications of his mistake in giving false testimony during the trial concerning an alleged bubbler confrontation (which supposedly took place at the mill the morning of the disappearance of Tom Monfils), Brian Kellner tried in vain to recant his testimony. Up until the day he died, Mr. Kellner stood by that recantation and the reasoning behind its initiation.

On the following day, Sunday, March 30, 2014, an article that disclosed a more in-depth account of Winkler’s interview was also printed in the hard copy version of the paper along with this link to that interview.

To me this begs for a serious discussion about the possible intent to disparage Kellner via the timing of these two articles. Was it coincidental? Indifference on the behalf of Winkler? Not out of the question as far as this advocate is concerned…

The Substance of Dreams…

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On October 28, 2013, I participated in an annual Walk for Truth and Justice held in Downtown Green Bay, as I’ve done for four years now. I relished in the time spent with close friends and families of the six men; Keith Kutska, Dale Basten, Michael Hirn, Michael Johnson, Reynold Moore and exoneree, Michael Piaskowski, convicted in the death of Tom Monfils in 1995. Some of my family members came along as well and I was grateful for their participation.

We met at 5:30 p.m. in the St. Willebrord’s Catholic Church parking lot and moseyed across the street where a sound system had been set up on the Courthouse steps. Three of us would be addressing a modest crowd that evening before embarking on our short trek; to the front of the Courthouse, towards the Church entrance to stop and recite a prayer, and then on past the Green Bay Police Department.

Excitement was overflowing this year. We were about to disclose a huge development regarding the case. Up until then, aside from the city’s law enforcement community, only those in our inner circle of family members and close supporters of these men were aware that a sizable Minneapolis law firm had begun a re-investigation of this historic case. No one else knew that the firm, Fredrikson&Byron, PA, had also received additional support from both the Wisconsin Innocence Project and Innocence Project of Minnesota AND that each of the five men still imprisoned now had his own attorney. In addition, it was going to be announced that this legal assistance was all being provided Pro Bono.

Word spread that I was responsible for much of these actions because of my influence in Minneapolis. The local media had gotten wind of the news and were there in full force. I was asked to be interviewed for the first time by three local news stations. Denis Gullickson, Master of Ceremonies and author of The Monfils Conspiracy; the book that directed my attention to this cause, also asked me to give a short speech. I was stunned and humbled when he introduced me as “St. Joan of Blaine”.

I’ve little recollection of what Denis said after that. All I know is that my cue to go up onstage came when I heard clapping. As I stepped behind the microphone, I stared out at the smiling faces. And as I blurted out something I hope was legible, in my mind I realized the full magnitude of what had developed out of a five year mission to free five wrongfully imprisoned men. All of the attendees, including Denis had placed so much value in my abilities and this venue was where they all thanked me. But my actions were my way of honoring all of them, to give them hope…and peace of mind. None of us would ever forget this experience. We all knew these developments were going to change their lives for the better.

I suppose it wouldn’t have mattered what I said in those few minutes. Their gratitude was evident. When I finished speaking, someone summed up the collective feelings of the crowd by shouting, “We love you!” It took tremendous effort to maintain my composure.

The walk concluded but the effects of that evening still linger…long after the signs and candles have all been put away for another year.

This is the kind of thing that dreams are made of, a dream that I, an unknown woman from Blaine, Minnesota, was proud to have become part of. This dream was theirs. It was coming true…for them. And no matter what happened from then on out, no one could ever take that away from them… which is just fine with me.

“Collateral Damage”

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We typically focus our attention on the immediate or more visible victims in any tragedy, such as the person who died or the main suspects of a crime. But we often forget about those in the background whose lives are torn apart as a result. In the context of wrongful convictions I’ve referred to these obscure victims as “collateral damage”; those who represent the other facet of any tragedy that often are forgotten. I wanted to share a testimonial (edited for length) that was written by one such person. Her name is…well…let me step aside so she can tell you herself…

brenda-clayton-kutska

Brenda and Clayton Kutska 

My name is Brenda Kutska. I am Keith Kutska’s daughter-in-law. My husband, Clayton, is the sole child of Keith and Ardie Kutska. This was and is our lives.

Our worries started when the body of Tom Monfils was found in the pulp vat at James River Paper Mill in 1992. We all went on with our lives as best we could while the police followed Keith and Ardie around everywhere as well as watched their house. Keith and Ardie were already under a lot of stress and financial strain, but getting by.

Keith helped us to buy our first house in 1993 and we got married in 1994, with the birth of our first two babies being in March of 1995. Our family’s worst fears were realized in April, 1995 when Keith and five other men were arrested for Tom Monfils murder.  In the back of our minds we knew this was a possibility but prayed it would not come to this. We thought the police would find the guilty party and this would just be a bad memory. I am happy that Keith was at least able to attend our wedding and see the births of his granddaughters.  With Keith’s arrest Ardie faced additional financial strain. Keith had gotten a job after being fired from the mill but now there was no second income to help pay bills. We, along with friends and neighbors helped Ardie with everyday chores and house repairs while dealing with all of our own plus two newborns and the emotional strain of everything going on. Ardie received nasty phone calls and letters and some people tried to befriend her to find out information on the case.

Clayton and I were twenty-two years old and this should have been the happiest time of our lives even though we were dealing with health concerns with one of our babies. The additional strain of the trial looming was going on at the same time my father was having bypass surgery. My Mom tried to help out with babysitting if we needed time to ourselves or just sleep. Clayton was an emotional wreck some days and very depressed but over time he has managed to figure out how to live with what has happened to his Dad. This experience has led him to be more cynical instead of the happy young man I married. In 1996 we sold our house to buy Keith and Ardie’s house and we now live there with Ardie. It was for financial reasons as well as peace of mind for Keith.

We are dealing with the aftermath but Clayton misses Keith’s mentoring. Ardie lost a husband and friend and the time growing old together. There is no longer a retirement plan because all of that money was used to pay the trial lawyer. Keith did not get to see his only grandson until he was three years old because Keith was sent to a Tennessee prison for some years before being brought back to Wisconsin.

Keith missed his calling in life. He should have been a teacher because he loves to talk about many subjects especially the constellations in the night sky and history. He tells our kids about the stars when we go to see him but he would love to be home setting up the telescope to actually show them.  We’ve taken the three kids to see their Grandpa since they were little, eventually having to explain why he is in prison. As they’ve grown they have grasped the understanding that he is there for a crime he did not commit and that he has to stay there until he is found innocent.

We have always tried to not let this experience rule our lives and our children’s lives but it has still shaped us in many ways, especially in the trust levels we have in people. To share an example, it was very hard for my husband to hear me tell the kids at their young ages that if they are ever in trouble or lost to talk to a police officer. The fact of the matter for us was the idea of being able to trust them and that they are there to serve and protect could not have been further from the truth. We are just average people trying to raise three children and live our lives to the fullest in the hope that one day this injustice will be righted.