Category Archives: Monfils Case

An Appeal to a Broken Community…

Leave a reply

I’ve chosen a vocation that is rather unpopular and controversial, and one more thing to not embrace on the daunting list of what’s wrong with our society. For those not willing to acknowledge there are innocent people in prison, or give a second thought to the number of people it affects, please consider my viewpoint.

In 2013 I submitted this piece to the editorial section of the Green Bay Press-Gazette as part of my continued advocacy for the five men wrongly convicted in the Tom Monfils case and to announce our fourth annual Walk for Truth and Justice. It was not printed. However, to me it was a necessary appeal to a community that is broken and will never heal until the real truth becomes an accepted part of its history:

The Inspiration Continues

          Many who read this may wonder why I have not let this Monfils issue rest. Everyone has their opinion about whether the six men are guilty or not, and so do I. I’m just more vocal about it. The thing is, after years of unrelenting determination and persistence in search of the truth, I still have not seen or heard anything to prove that they murdered anyone. Not one person has ever given me a credible argument as to why they believe in the guilt of these men. So, I continue my pursuit of justice on their behalf. I have never been alone in that pursuit and the list of believers keeps growing. The WI Innocence Project now has help from the MN Innocence Project as well as a very large and respectable law firm here in Minneapolis. Significant time has been spent poring over and discussing the so called evidence and it just isn’t there!   

          The continued courage and endurance I witness among the family members fuels my drive to see justice served also. These people represent the collateral damage that no one talks about. They signify the rest of the tragedy that no one ever acknowledges and even though their lives have been ruined, few seem to care. Somehow they still find the strength to hold their heads up and take pride in the fact that none of these men has ever caved under pressure by admitting to something they did not do. I wonder how many of us could endure that kind of pressure.

          I have earned the trust of these family members and I will again walk proudly with them in the name of truth and justice on Monday, October 28th at 5:30 pm at the Brown County Courthouse, because to me, that is what this is all about; to verify the absolute truth about what actually happened, and to encourage justice for all involved, whether it be for the first victim in this tragedy or for all of the other “collateral damage” that has followed.  

Respectfully submitted, Joan Treppa, Minneapolis, MN.         

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…