Tag Archives: Brown County Courthouse

Happy Holidays!

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What’s in store for Reclaiming Lives in the New Year…?

Hi everyone. I’ve been absent for what seems like eternity but I wanted to share some exciting updates regarding my book. I’ve been diligently working on a third and final edition. There’s plenty yet to be done but much progress is being made. So….what will be included in this latest version?

Banner courtesy of StoryFirst Media in Madison, WI

In 2023, the Beyond Human Nature documentary premiered at the Green Bay Film Festival to a sold out crowd. Many supporters of the project were in attendance including our exoneree, Michael “Pie” Piaskowski. He, of course, had plenty to say about the endless barrage of false claims made throughout the film by the former Brown County DA, John Zakowski and the former detective, Randy Winkler. I dedicated a chapter to highlight Pie’s rebuttals.

(LtoR) Professor Nolan Bennett, Joan Treppa, and Keith Kutska during a visit to UWGB on February 29, 2023.

A chapter about Keith Kutska’s release in August 2023 has also been added.

Now that all of the men are free and have been for some time, I’ve asked each of them to provide insights into how life is going for them now.  You’ll be amazed at what they’re up to!

At the suggestion of an attorney whom I chatted with at a 2023 book fair – and due to a number of readers expressing difficulty with keeping the extensive cast of characters in the book straight – I’ve compiled a listing that will appear in the front of the book to be used as a quick reference that will include those names which cause the most confusion.

Exoneree Amanda Knox and Joan Treppa at the 2024 Great North Innocence Benefit.

Throughout this process amazing connections are being made which could lead to exciting developments that, for now, are too premature and too uncertain to share. Please send your happy vibes for the best outcomes in each of them. I’ve always believed that timing is key in this journey for justice. I believe that it will continue to be so moving forward. We have always been on the side of true justice. AND WE STILL ARE!

Talented ‘beta’ readers have lent their time and have provided valuable feedback that is transforming this version into the best one yet! The book will also have an entirely new look with a fabulous new cover design I cannot wait to share with you! Rest assured, the book’s important story and message will remain the same.

At this time, I’m refraining from giving a timeline for its completion. So stay tuned…

Okay…time to get back to work. My list of tasks continues to grow. But so does my enthusiasm for this blockbuster edition!

As always, thank you for your amazing support.

During this busy time, make sure to take time for YOU.

From our hearth to yours, have a wonderful holiday season! I’ll see you next year!

Joan

Two Veterans…One Personal Mission…

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On this Veterans Day we honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I’d like to also pay tribute to two Veterans in particular that not only served dutifully in the Army but who have dedicated their lives to serving in other important ways as well.

It’s been my absolute privilege to have known these two distinguished gentlemen; Exoneree Michael “Pie” Piaskowski and Retired Crime Scene Expert Johnny Johnson.

Allow me to explain how they met:

“Johnny introduced himself when they walked in. His attention soon zeroed in on the hat Mike Pie was wearing, which revealed he had served in the US Army. Johnny was an army veteran too, which gave them plenty to talk about. They soon realized that they had served in a similar area in Vietnam. “Assisting veterans is what I do,” Johnny said that day. For a brief time, Johnny had assisted my neighbor, Ken, with veteran’s concerns. It is why I ran into him at my mailbox, and it was why I had the opportunity to ask for his help. There was no mistaking the bond already forming between Johnny and Mike Pie or the opportunity that this instance presented—Johnny’s ability to aid this veteran in his personal mission.”  – Excerpt from Reclaiming Lives

After realizing their similar connection they became close friends and together, fought another important uphill battle or personal mission if you will, closer to home. What occurred as a result of this partnership and their collaborations with many others is nothing short of AMAZING.

Read the full story in my book, Reclaiming Lives:

Kirk House Publishers

Amazon 

Or simply purchase through PayPal on this website (at the top right corner of this page).

THANK YOU!

Mike Pie and Johnny Johnson; two regular guys taking a breather in the midst of an important mission. Photo taken at the 2016 Hotrod Breakout fundraiser/car show in Minnesota.

Year End Thoughts and an Update…

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As 2023 draws to a close, I’d like to share some thoughts on what this “journey for justice” on behalf of six innocent men has meant to me.

But first, an announcement. On August 30, Keith Kutska, was released on parole.

WBAY coverage of Keith Kutska’s release.

For the first time in decades-with the exception of Dale Basten-all of the men; exoneree, Michael Piaskowski, Keith Kutska, Michael Hirn, Reynold Moore, and Michael Johnson are home for the holidays with loved ones! Sadly, Dale passed away on June 23, 2018, nine months after his release from prison.

Dale Basten in 2016 at Stanley Correctional Institution

Since 2009 when I first learned of this grave injustice and pledged my support to help free these men, I had no knowledge of the eye-opening realities of our criminal justice system. While I still believe that the system gets it right the majority of the time, it is those instances; too many of them, that we as a society must scrutinize and remedy.

I do not claim to be an expert in this field and I certainly do not have any grand solutions to rid the system of wrongful convictions. I only know that what I’ve seen up close as a bystander in one of the most notorious cases in Wisconsin history is quite disturbing. And the results can only be measured in lives destroyed…lives lost…lives wasted…all for no good reason.

Keith Kutska with his lawyers during his evidentiary hearing in 2015

In the Monfils case there has been adequate opportunity for those with the ability to do so, to finally correct this injustice in light of the new evidence and information brought forth during the 2015 evidentiary hearing for Keith Kutska by a well-respected and unbiased law firm. Sadly, that has not happened. On the contrary, the pushback to maintain the status quo in this case has been unrelenting.

Former DA John Zakowski is currently a judge in the same district

Unfortunately, that defiance is not unique. But thanks to the Innocence Project organization and the more recent installations of CIUs (Criminal Integrity Units), there are credible and effective resources available to help push through such barriers.

Observing and watching in real time how the more recent legal process has progressed in Wisconsin has been more of an education than I could have ever imagined. Unfortunately, my takeaway has been a less than stellar opinion of the entire judicial process. I no longer readily accept at face value, the information provided in news clips regarding other arrests, investigations, etc. I just always have this nagging fear of possible “gaps” in those stories.

I’ve gotten to know the six men in the Monfils case and many others since who have experienced the nightmare of being falsely accused. Above all, I’ve witnessed remarkable courage, unwavering determination, and unparalleled strength of character. Ironically, the very folks who’ve overcome absolute hopelessness, devastating disappointments, and brutal animosity are some of the nicest people on the planet. It has been a privilege for me to have met enough of them to know that there is so much to be learned from all of them.

While the goal of full exonerations for all of these Wisconsin men has yet to be realized, I am proud of my role as a social justice advocate. I am proud of this legacy for myself and my family. I am proud of my accomplishments as a writer who has found her voice and who has chosen to use it to educate, to inspire, and to advocate for those victimized by a flawed criminal justice system.

Many of you have lent your support in various ways over the years. For this I am grateful. Now, for the sake of continuing to educate the public, you can help me spread this story far and wide. Maybe consider buying a copy of my book for a friend or a loved one.

Purchase through my website. Click on the book image in the upper right corner of this page.

Order the book through my publisher, Kirk House Publishing

If you’ve read the book, THANK YOU! A brief review on Amazon is always helpful in maintaining a book’s visibility.

Most importantly, it truly is a gift for these men to see and feel the amazing support from all of you on their behalf!

Thank you and Happy Holidays!