A Conspiracy of What? And by Whom?

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Before I point out the many errors in one of the most egregious wrongful conviction cases ever; the 1992 paper mill death of Tom Monfils, I must say that I’m deeply saddened by the insulting nature of a case that would be laughable if not utterly tragic. A community torn apart by a ridiculous series of events that led to the convictions of six innocent men sends chills up and down my spine. Why?

The argument that these “union thugs” became party to a “conspiracy” or “code of silence” through harassment that got out of hand and turned into murder, seems plausible enough. But then you learn these men were from two different unions and some of them didn’t even know each other. You are then asked to accept that they collectively forged a rock solid pact between themselves to hide their horrific deed in order to protect their high-paying jobs.

How on earth can anyone believe that these actions could go anywhere but south, leading to certain imprisonment because of the simple improbability that all of them could remain silent for any length of time. Now imagine placing that amount of trust in one or more persons, considered only as acquaintances, and being able to work alongside them efficiently, disposing of a body no less, in record time. Finally, imagine this collaborative effort is accomplished without leaving behind a single trace of physical evidence or eyewitnesses.

I can no longer subject myself to older news stories about this case because of my knowledge of the questionable tactics used to terrify vulnerable victims and send six innocent men to prison! I recall an old video clip with an image of all six men being paraded out of the courtroom in handcuffs after being found guilty. I recall also having been told by a family member how she found herself amidst cheers in a public restaurant when that news was televised. But the most devastating thing of all is an understanding of the ONLY true conspiracy; the one forged by the very people sworn to uphold an oath to defend the absolute truth.

Below is a list of facts deemed accurate by our legal team. In my opinion, they do not begin to tell the complete story of the deceit, trickery, and downright unethical tactics used during the original two and a half year investigation. The dedication and countless hours being donated by those willing to uncover and expose these untruths is admirable. I stand in awe of a situation that represents the worst as well as the best of humanity…

The six men are innocent. They did not murder Tom Monfils.

A crucial mistake by the Green Bay Police Department set a series of events in motion which led to the disappearance of Tom Monfils.

Many known aspects of the case were never considered or explored. The current team of lawyers is looking at evidence that was never examined before, that will prove the men are innocent.

The trial transcripts have been thoroughly reviewed and the team is working with specific experts in various fields of forensic sciences. The evidence on which these men were convicted was insufficient, unreliable, and flat out false.

Multiple “jailhouse snitches” were put on the stand and their testimony was considered credible.  

Potential witnesses who worked at the mill were threatened with losing their jobs, etc… if they did not agree to testify to specific information.   

It took two and a half years to bring this case to trial due to the lack of evidence.

Two years after the body was found, a witness, (considered a suspect) suddenly fabricated a “repressed memory” of an incident he claims happened. Even though his testimony was deemed credible, there were no witnesses or murder weapons presented to support it.

That key witness has since recanted. 

All six men were tried together in a single trial. Three of them are named Michael. 

Shortly after he “solved” this case and the men were convicted, the lead detective was fired.  

One of the men was exonerated after five and a half years of incarceration. He has always maintained innocence for himself as well as the other five. After news spread of his release a juror wrote to him stating the confusion they all felt as a jury and admitted it was easier to apply the guilty verdicts to all of them. It took a mere eight hours for the jury to convict all six men.  

Having been in prison for close to twenty years, none of the remaining five men have ever admitted to committing murder and, to this day, they maintain their absolute innocence. 

Additional information about the Monfils case.

An Unshaken Spirit…

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When Audrey Edmunds walks into a room, people notice. She’s tall, beautiful, extremely outgoing, and enormously sincere. When I met her at a benefit for the Innocence Project of Minnesota in 2012, I was aware of her tragic past. I was curious about how anyone could survive what she had and still maintain a high spirited disposition. Judging from the kind of person she is now, with her bubbly nature, I knew that we were destined to become good friends. My husband even describes her best as “one of the most positive people” he has ever met. But life for Audrey was not always so uplifting…

In 1996 the characterization of Audrey Edmunds inside a Dane County Courtroom in Madison, WI was vastly different. Each day in court she sat helplessly as her civil rights were violated through an ongoing verbal assassination of her character. She was portrayed as a “monster” capable of shaking an infant hard enough to cause head trauma and death. The significance of the absence of obvious trauma on the child’s body was lost on the prosecutor and irrelevant during the entire court proceedings. Audrey herself was extremely fragile, after having giving birth to her third child only four months earlier. She struggled to keep her composure, sanity, and dignity while being wrongfully accused, charged, and then bullied in the courtroom for the death of this tiny baby. Audrey adored babies. She had nurtured this child and she desperately mourned her passing. Through it all, Audrey’s self-preservation and physical state was in tatters.

Most of all, the direction of the court proceedings caused Audrey dire concern for her three children. Who would raise them if she was convicted? Would she have the chance to get to know her youngest child? The truth is that Audrey was loved by those close to her and was known to celebrate children. Having done daycare in her home for some time she was well liked by the parents who left their precious babies in her care. There were never issues or complaints of questionable behavior by them to suggest that Audrey disliked or became frustrated with the children. The fact that one of the infants in Audrey’s care on the day in question was especially fussy and later died that same day, placed Audrey as the only suspect in this child’s death.

The science surrounding what the authorities would later charge Audrey with; a condition known as “Shaken Baby Syndrome” (SBS) was faulty but was believed to be sound at the time. It was the subsequent evidence that caused her demise. Audrey was charged with first degree reckless homicide. She was terrified of going to prison.

Her sentencing hearing was scheduled for two days after her youngest daughter’s first birthday in 1997. Her worst nightmare was realized. Audrey was sentenced to eighteen years in prison. She would not be there to see her daughters grow up. During her time in prison she decided that for the sake of her babies she’d have to maintain what dignity she had left and never allow herself to sink into total despair. She held on to the belief that she would one day be free. She did her best to stick with a familiar routine, to stay as healthy as she could, and to keep thoughts of her precious girls close to her heart.

Audrey served eleven years of that sentence before being exonerated in 2008 with the help of the Wisconsin Innocence Project. New findings in the science of SBS had come to light and provided the new evidence to confirm her claims of innocence. Her marriage had since dissolved but she would finally reconnect with her three daughters, now young adults. Together they could begin a new relationship. Audrey’s spirit guided her through the challenges she faced on the outside.

For the past few years Audrey and I have remained good friends. Her unshaken spirit, strength, and ability to wear a smile despite the pain she has endured are attributes that inspire me daily. They help me to reject the negative aspects in my life and to embrace as much positive energy as I can.

Audrey is an inspiration to anyone who meets her or has the opportunity to read her touching story publicized in a book entitled, It Happened to Audrey by Jill Wellington. It serves as a testament and inspiration that’s part of Audrey’s mission to create awareness about the fallacies surrounding SBS. Please consider ordering a copy.

Audrey’s story is also featured in a documentary film The Syndrome, by producers Meryl and Susan Goldsmith.

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Joan Treppa and exoneree Audrey Edmunds

A hidden meaning behind a thoughtful message…

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This morning I came across a very touching email from my exonerated friend, Michael ‘Pie’ Piaskowski. I’ve been fortunate to receive similar messages in the past, from other unsung victims of wrongful convictions. They never cease to affect me deeply and their words wind up staying with me throughout the rest of that day. A person’s life is only enriched by messages like these, by friends like these, whose lives were devastated and nearly destroyed.

Mike Piaskowski and Joan

Exoneree, Michael Piaskowski and Joan Treppa 

I will only say that Mike Pie’s message contained thoughts of feeling humbled and awed by what I do and of the sincere appreciation felt by those involved in the Wisconsin Monfils case. I’ve been told more times than I can count, the heartfelt feelings of these amazingly resilient people. They never let me forget. And theirs is the driving force keeping me focused.

But it’s equally important to understand the root of these feelings. For them it’s a way to show their trust which is important to them because of having been stripped of everything both emotionally and financially. To me, this gift is priceless and is only awarded to those who’ve earned it. From the very beginning, it was my intent to earn it. That would mean I succeeded in provided hope where it mattered most.

When I first met family members of the five incarcerated men, I was struck by how calm they were. Where I expected anger and cynicism, I saw longing. And while many of us expect change in everyday occurrences, they lacked an understanding that things could change. When I look back on those earlier days, the shift I see in their attitudes is evident. I find it incredible that in their faces and in their words a more hopeful future now resides.

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Family members: Brenda Kutska, Kim Johnson and Deb Johnson*   

Throughout this ordeal, Kim Johnson, Michael Johnson’s wife, has remained steadfast. She had expressed to me her most heartfelt thoughts, saying, “…you go to work and you bring home the groceries for the ones who are still with you and you do the best you can.” Few family members of these men are able to visit them because of having to take time off of work or finding it difficult to come up with the funds to make the trip. These everyday realities are cruel and unrelenting. It’s sad to witness the many hardships they face. But what stays with me is how very little they ask of a society that has taken everything from them.

*Deb Johnson, Michael Johnson’s sister, tragically died in December of 2016. Johnson had fortunately been transferred to a minimum security prison before her death so he was able to attend the viewing…but not the funeral.