Tag Archives: Green Bay Wisconsin

Bridging The Gap To Freedom…

October 29, 1995: This edition of the Green Bay Press-Gazette hit newsstands the day after six guilty verdicts were handed to Keith Kutska (pictured above with his attorney), Dale Basten, Michael Johnson, Reynold Moore, Michael Piaskowski, and Michael Hirn in a Brown County Courtroom, for their alleged roles in co-conspiring to murder paper mill worker, Tom Monfils.

Described in this front page article was a heart-wrenching scene of utter hopelessness and despair:

“Mike Johnson’s wife, Kim Johnson, nearly had to be carried from the courtroom. She sobbed on the courthouse steps as her daughter, Dawn, held her.”

Two and a half decades after that fateful day, as I sat at my desk putting the final touches on a writing project, my mobile phone pinged, alerting me of a Facebook notification. It was from my sista flame, Joan Van Houten; fellow social justice advocate and stepdaughter of Michael Johnson.

And staring back at me in bold letters was this forwarded message:

“Joan, Big Mike* got his parole …”

Joan and I first met in 2010 when there was talk of putting this injustice back into the public realm. We discussed plans of holding a first-time rally for the six convicted men on the very courthouse steps where her mother, Kim, had faltered. Joan and I also eventually partnered up to co-manage the Voice of Innocence FB page—a resource dedicated to ongoing developments in the Monfils case. Because of our matching names we dubbed ourselves sista flames.

Joan and I had been told recently by her stepfather that his release from prison was imminent. We were confident this would happen because of Michael Hirn’s unprecedented release (on parole) in December of 2018. I say unprecedented because anyone with knowledge of how the Dept. Of Corrections (DOC) operates, understands that prisoners who maintain their innocence are typically barred from being released on parole.

(Photo courtesy of WBAY Ch. 2 news in Green Bay, WI)                         

Twice, a date had been set for Johnson. Twice, as the day approached, the date was postponed. A third date was scheduled. To our relief, July 3rd, 2019 became the day in which Michael Johnson took his first breath of freedom in twenty-three years.

Johnson was located at the Sanger B. Powers Correctional Center in Oneida, Wisconsin—a minimum security facility a few short miles west of the Green Bay city limits. Due to its close proximity to Green Bay, I suspected there’d be a number of local media outlets present. My assumptions were confirmed when I was contacted by a few reporters from Green Bay asking if I’d be there.

I had discussed media presence with the family beforehand, to gauge their reaction to this unavoidable attention. Because of the overwhelming trauma they’d experienced from the media frenzy in the early ‘90’s, their concerns of undue scrutiny were quite real…and warranted. As with Hirn’s family, they understood that this heightened attention stems from this being a high profile case. They also understood the probability of bringing their beloved home without public scrutiny was simply not going to happen.

And while we as outsiders easily characterize these events (releases) as positive and celebratory for these folks, we neglect to realize the negative impact of the past two and a half decades and how something as positive as this event can induce amplified recollections of the somewhat faded but ever-present horrors of this nightmare. So to the media I urged caution. To the family members I offered to bridge the gap between them and the media.

View of Sanger B. Powers Correctional Center from the main highway 

Mike and I were the first to arrive at this facility at 8 a.m. The window for Johnson’s release was between 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. which gave us time to take photos, meet with family members, and speak with reporters before Johnson’s anticipated release.  

We were forewarned of the high volume of traffic on the main road in front of the building, so Mike and I parked on a side street…and waited. Soon, a vehicle turned the corner and headed in our direction. It was Mark Saxenmeyer, CEO of The Reporters Inc and his cameraman, Joe Pollock. They had come to capture footage of Michael Johnson’s release to include in their docuseries, Guilty Until Proven Innocent, same as they had done for Michael Hirn’s release in December.

WBAY Action 2 news in (Green Bay) arrived shortly after Mark and Joe. They parked on the main highway. As we moved from our current position to pull into a space in front of them, my cell phone rang. Kim Johnson was on the line…

Kim was her usual talkative self. Her voice was full of both excitement and anxiety. She was with her sister and said they were on their way to the Correctional Center. “We will be there soon,” Kim said. I warned her that some in the media had already arrived. But I assured her that I was prepared to speak to them on behalf of the family. Relief resonated in Kim’s voice. She thanked me before ending the call.

By then, reporters from multiple local news outlets, as well as one from the Post-Crescent in Appleton, had arrived and started to get situated. As I stepped out of the car near the shoulder of the highway, they gathered around to introduce themselves. With cameras and microphones in tow, all attention was aimed in my direction. It is noteworthy to point out that the respectful and patient manner of the reporters afforded me an unusual sense of calm, which helped during what became my first ever press conference.

I felt the attentiveness and interest of the reporters, and their willingness to listen to a side of the story that had gotten lost in the shuffle all those years ago. I felt their coverage later that day had adequately reflected the difficulties these families will face going forward and how the largest hurdle for them will be to gain acceptance from a community inundated in lies and misguided truths—a community that may be reluctant to exhibit compassion.

Mark Saxenmeyer of The Reporters Inc is standing on the far left

After answering questions, I spotted people gathering in the parking lot near the front door of the Correctional Center. Mike and I walked over to greet them. The press was confined to the street and was not able to follow. The only person I knew in this crowd was Kim’s sister, Bonnie. We’d gotten to know each other over many years from attending monthly FAF (Friends and Family) meetings and the courthouse rallies that had become yearly events. We hugged. Bonnie expressed deep gratitude for all I had done. “This momentous occasion is upon us because of many people who truly cared,” I said. I then asked if she’d seen Kim yet. “Kim is already inside. She brought street clothes for Michael to change into,” she explained.

Kim soon exited the front door and walked toward us. She was barely recognizable in a large floppy hat and sunglasses. A reserved smile appeared on her face as she walked toward the crowd. I approached her. She put her arms around me, holding on tight in quiet desperation. I did my best to reassure her that all would be fine. “Okay,” she conceded.

Kim Johnson holding her husband’s official release papers. Bonnie is to the left, also in white  

Mike and I met many new family members that day; siblings…children….grandchildren, and in-laws. It was a delight to meet them and to be a part of this poignant episode in an ongoing saga of unwarranted turmoil. A more appropriate description also comes to mind that was reiterated time and again by dear friend and former colleague, Johnny Johnson—that this entire case is representative of nothing more than blatant malfeasance.

Michael Johnson…free at last                                

Our attention turned toward the building’s entrance as Michael appeared touting a white cap, button-down shirt, and dark pants. In front of him was a flatbed cart, similar to what is found in a hardware store. On it were numerous cardboard boxes filled with his belongings of the past twenty-three years. Images of The Fedex Man came to mind as he expertly maneuvered the cart toward us!

Michael stood in awe at the sizable group standing before him. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and uttered thanks for this gift of freedom and the amount of support for both himself and Kim. In the next instant this restrained crowd livened a bit, engaging in hugs, elevated laughter, shameless tears, and vibrant declarations of joy! One thing was for sure. This man was loved and there was no doubt in my mind that he’d be in great hands while navigating this new reality.

The horrific circumstances that led to Johnson’s conviction back in 1995 seemed to fade into oblivion as the sight of him casually making the rounds in the bright sunshine, warmed our hearts. Having witnessed a similar sight a few months earlier when Michael Hirn was released in no way diminished the impact of this experience.

The reasons for Johnson’s conviction were largely due to the trial testimony of David Weiner; another paper mill worker who, by the time of the trial, was a convicted murderer. Thirteen months after Monfils’ body was found, he was sent to prison for murdering his own brother. Before then, approximately six months after Monfils’ body was found, and after being threatened by the authorities that he himself could be implicated for the murder of Tom Monfils, Weiner conjured a repressed memory of seeing Michael Johnson and Dale Basten facing each other and hunched over as if they were carrying something heavy toward the paper pulp vat, the day of Monfils’ disappearance. At the time, Weiner’s work station was in an obscure area near the vat and the authorities reasoned his story was plausible and that the heavy object was most likely Monfils’ body. This account fit in well with the prosecution’s alleged “bubbler confrontation” theory. After his testimony, Weiner was rewarded with immediate release from prison. Weiner served a total of 39 months of a ten-year sentence for the premeditated murder of his own brother, in his home, with a witness present! In the state’s last words to the jury before deliberations in 1995, the Assistant DA said this: “There is no evidence that he [David Weiner] is capable of that kind of vile act [murder].” Straddling a fine legal line, the state distanced Weiner as an alternative suspect in Monfils’ death. And knowledge of his murder conviction was successfully withheld from the jury as he sat testifying against Michael Johnson and Dale Basten.

This quote from Johnson sums up his personal feelings on the matter:

“As a Christian man, I recognize the trials and tribulations I must face and endure in this world (2 Tim. 3:12). I realize that as I continue to profess my innocence, I will never be allowed to leave prison. Already this prison system has sought to withdraw my medium-security classification and send me to a maximum-security institution because I continue to claim I am falsely accused and unjustly convicted of a crime I did not commit or have any knowledge about. I wait patiently for my Lord to rescue me (Luke 18:7 and Rom. 8:28). I know I didn’t harm Tom Monfils. God knows I didn’t harm Tom Monfils. I can’t understand why David Weiner pointed a finger at me like that!” – Excerpt from The Monfils Conspiracy: The Conviction of Six Innocent Men

In a 2016 podcast interview, Joan Van Houten described evidence that should have been used by her stepfather’s lawyer to help prove his innocence. Joan said during the investigation, her stepfather was approached by a local reporter who asked him if he knew Tom Monfils. Johnson told him he did and that Monfils was a nice guy who brought homemade popcorn into work to share with everyone. He stated that at work, Tom Monfils was known as the popcorn man. It was later determined that Johnson was incorrect and that the popcorn man was actually someone else. Despite these documented facts, the video of that conversation with the reporter was never offered as evidence during the trial.

The family mentioned their plans to meet at a nearby restaurant for a bite to eat. Mike and I were invited. “We’ll catch up with you after we’re through here,” I said. Then Mike and I walked back down the driveway, hand in hand, toward the street where the press once again gathered for a statement. As the caravan of vehicles drove away, the press turned to catch a quick photo of Johnson when the car he was in turned the corner. I did my best to respect the family’s privacy as I fielded questions by the press about what Johnson’s first words were, who all was present, and what message did the family want to convey.

Michael Johnson as he exits Sanger B. Powers Correctional Center for the last time. (Photo courtesy of WBAY Action 2 news in Green Bay)

When Mike and I arrived at The Bay View Family Restaurant, Mark and Joe were waiting for us in the parking lot. They’d been granted permission to catch a few intimate moments in this more relaxed setting, but wanted us to make the formal introductions first. We headed inside toward the far corner of the restaurant where the group had gathered around a large table. After introductions were made, they captured an amazing display of comradery.

We were honored to be part of this special occasion with this courageous family. Seeing them all together, cracking jokes, sharing personal stories, and discussing ordinary everyday topics seemed, well…so normal. It was gratifying to know that they could again become familiar with what is normal for the majority of folks in this country.

Mike, me, and Kim and Michael Johnson                                   

Only when similar circumstances befall us personally do we truly appreciate the scope of this kind of tragedy and the hardships that follow. Like most people, I’ve personally experienced false accusations in the past, but never any that resulted in a harsh and life-altering wrongful conviction. As I humbly speak out about the difficulties faced by those who have, I do my absolute best to truly understand and to then accurately describe the pain, the heartache, and the hopelessness that accompanies an injustice such as this.

Side note: When Mike and I returned home from Green Bay, this letter was waiting for us in our mailbox:

It is fitting to share this one last bit of information that unfortunately adds another layer to the tragic nature of this injustice. Below is a photo taken in 2013 at a Benefit for Innocence hosted by the Innocence Project of Minnesota. Kim Johnson is in the middle and to her right is Debra Johnson-Dienberg, Michael’s sister. I knew Deb quite well and was deeply saddened to learn of her untimely and sudden death in 2016. She was extremely involved with the new push to find justice for her brother (and the other men) but she never got to see the sun shining down on her “Mickey” the day he was released, or join in as he savored his first decent meal in a restaurant in twenty-four years…

But Michael Johnson will argue that she was indeed there…in spirit.

Deb, Kim, and me   

WBAY CH 2 coverage of Johnson’s release.

WLUK FOX 11 coverage.

WFRV CH 5 coverage.

NBC 26 coverage.

Green Bay Press-Gazette coverage.

* Reference of Big Mike distinguishes between Joan’s stepfather Mike and her stepbrother Mike Jr.

A Patch of Sunlight: Message of Hope Through Real-Life Tragedies…

In this posting I’m proudly sharing one of the most superbly written articles regarding my personal decade-long commitment to help correct a deeply flawed injustice.

The article came about as a result of my participation in a Minneapolis book fair put together by the Women Of Words (WOW); a local writing group I’ve been a part of since before my book was published.

I admire the many women who embody this highly motivated, knowledgeable, and generous group of writers that welcomed me into the fold without hesitation. Their influence and encouragement to continually summon the creative writing app in my brain, and their permission to accept the ever-present anxiety during those final days, was extremely reassuring at a crucial time.

Participating authors at the WOW book fair. (Photo courtesy of Ann Spiczka Aubitz, WOW member) 

My book, Reclaiming Lives: Pursuing Justice for Six Innocent Men (published in 2017)—a project I had worked vigorously on for four years—was nearing completion. I was so close to the end and feeling impatient about finally broadcasting what I so passionately wanted to convey to the world; the pain and devastation forced upon countless innocent lives when six men were given life sentences for a murder they did not commit. 

Ironically, after a book is published is when the real work begins. Having your book stand out, for instance—especially among the cacophony of amazing books at events such as this one—takes creativity. My attention grabber has become my modestly concocted homemade posters made of colorful poster paper and scotch tape. However, it’s not the posters themselves that grab the attention of passers-by, but what’s on them. The latest stats and disturbingly honest testimonials from those who’ve lived the nightmare of being wrongfully convicted, usually does the trick.

At the book fair, this poster caught the eye of Michael Ireland; an unassuming gentleman who walked up to my table and began to read…

After exploring the topic of my book and the reasons for my involvement, Ireland shared his extensive background as a journalist. He also expressed an interest in highlighting this story for the Eden Prairie Patch; a local online Minnesota news network in which he writes articles for regularly. 

These are welcomed opportunities that allow me to broadcast far and wide, a message of hope and possibilities through real-life tragedies. And though sharing this mission can be somewhat discouraging, (because who wants to hear about one more problem that most feel powerless to change?), it is one that I remain steadfast in telling. I believe no matter your perceived level of ability to make change, being aware of the potential hazards in life can also be advantageous…and quite empowering. 

Without further delay, here’s the little patch of sunlight that Michael Ireland wrote on my behalf and posted on two networks he is affiliated with:

Eden Prairie Patch headline:                                                                                                                          “Reclaiming Lives” Seeks Justice for Wrongfully Accused Mill-workers

Assist News headline:                                                                                                                                      Minneapolis social justice advocate pens book to free six innocent men

By Michael Ireland May 2, 2019

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA (ANS) – When Joan Treppa heard the tragic story of Wisconsin paper mill worker Tom Monfils, her highly-developed sense of injustice, her faith, a sense of call to write, and her own experience of being bullied all came together in the book “Reclaiming Lives, Pursuing Justice for Six innocent Men,” ©2017 Mill City Press, Inc.

Treppa is a social justice advocate whose focus is to create awareness about wrongful convictions. She’s a voice for the five Wisconsin men currently fighting for their freedom.

In 1992, the death of mill worker Tom Monfils, and the resulting trial of six men accused of his murder, shocked the Wisconsin community in which it occurred.

In an interview with ASSIST News, Treppa said: “People often tell me I sound like a lawyer when I share my passionate discourse for those who’ve experienced grave injustices within our criminal justice system.

“In fact, I am not a lawyer. I have no legal background whatsoever…only a fierce determination to help correct one injustice that found its way to me,” she said.

Cover artwork for Reclaiming Lives

“Aside from the unfairness of how the entire case was handled, an underlying message that jumped out for me while learning about the situation was an element of bullying. I experienced bullying throughout my childhood. In this instance bullying became the most disturbing aspect of how innocent people had been victimized and punished unjustly.

“Traumatic personal memories of the anger, the hurt from being ostracized to the point of feeling shame and self-pity, returned. A calling was borne out of the remnants of those painful experiences and I could not turn my back on individuals caught up in this highly-publicized situation that completely destroyed their lives and sent innocent people to prison for a crime they did not commit. In essence, I became one of many who were chosen to broadcast the real truths about this injustice, to reveal all that was lost in the controversy, the cover-ups, and the politics.”

Treppa described the synopsis of the case that prompted the book.

In November of 1992, paper mill worker, Tom Monfils, made a 911 call to report an impending theft within the mill by fellow mill worker, Keith Kutska. As a result, Kutska was suspended from work but learned of the 911 call during a disciplinary hearing. Afterward, Kutska made known his intent to find out who made the call and to obtain a copy of the recording.

“The police department handed over a copy to Kutska despite repeated (undocumented) calls from Monfils asking them not to. Kutska then confronted Monfils at work with the tape the following week,” she said, adding: “Soon after this confrontation, Monfils disappeared from his work station and was found the next day at the bottom of a paper pulp vat inside the mill with a rope and weight tied around his neck.”

Treppa continued: “Early in the investigation the police were told by those who worked with Monfils that he had committed suicide. But then the police learned of the police department’s critical error of releasing a copy of the tape to Kutska,” said Treppa.

“They also learned about the confrontation between Kutska and Monfils. The focus of the investigation then became more aggressive with the intent to prove this was a homicide. Kutska became their lead suspect.”

In 1995, the two-and-a-half year investigation essentially produced no solid evidence or credible eyewitnesses, said Treppa. “Despite this, a twenty-eight day joint trial ended with six men, including Keith Kutska, Reynold Moore, Dale Basten, Michael Johnson, Michael Hirn, and Michael Piaskowski, being charged with first-degree intentional homicide. Each was given a life sentence.”

Treppa acknowledged some similarities to her own life story.

“For a significant period in my life, I was robbed of my individual voice, my dignity, and sense of self,” she said. “The same happened here. But what helped me to overcome those traumas was the generosity, the kindness I received from good people who entered my life from time to time.

“Overwhelming emotions propagated my sense of duty and commitment to help these men and their families, the same way I had been helped. I felt adequately well-equipped to stand tall for them. As hurtful as it was to remember the helplessness of being made fun of incessantly, being a target of repeated name calling, and being held accountable for wrongs I had no part in committing, the empowerment I felt was even greater.”

What was it about the case that drew her interest? What is now the current state of the case and the men involved?

Treppa said becoming an advocate and an author was an unexpected deviation from all of the things that had since kept her life simple and brought great joy and satisfaction.

“My faith allowed me to believe in something larger than me. It allowed me to make a difference in that something. And it expected me to figure out how that was going to happen. Ironically, taking this new path revealed an emptiness that was stagnant for many years. Taking a stand on their behalf did two things; it gave the recipients hope while helping me to heal on an emotional as well as spiritual level,” she said.

To date, three of the six men are free. In 2001, Michael Piaskowski was exonerated by a federal judge who found no evidence of guilt against him. Dale Basten was released in 2017 due to health issues. Sadly, he died nine months later. Michael Hirn was granted parole in 2018 while maintaining his innocence. It is expected that Michael Johnson and Reynold Moore will be released on parole in 2019.

“The battle for Keith Kutska’s release is ongoing, but uncertain. To this day, all of the men have maintained their absolute innocence,” Treppa said.

Petitioning for the immediate release for the remaining incarcerated men was the main focus of her book.

“I’m ecstatic that the Parole Commission has started to grant parole to these men without asking them to admit to a crime they did not commit,” she said.

“The untold story, the aftermath, the dire challenges forced upon the men and their loved ones, and the telling of the many miracles that occurred along the way was also an important aspect.”

Treppa stated: “In the process, it was necessary to highlight the specific flaws of this case, and to enlighten those unaware of the realities and common flaws that are present in all wrongful convictions. Pointing out the shortfalls of the media outlets in that region has had an effect as well, as some have begun to look deeper into the details of this case and are questioning the validity of the police theory and the verdicts.”

Treppa hopes to inspire others to embrace their own personal callings with the belief that goodness exists if we only take the time to look, and that it is as infectious as bad behavior.

Treppa said the idea that wrongful convictions can and do happen…anywhere, to anyone, and with absolutely no warning is her-hoped for takeaway for readers.

“My greatest legacy will be realized when what I’ve written has touched hearts in the deepest sense and has motivated many to overcome their own barriers to help others.

“I wish for everyone to find that singular connection that compels them to help improve lives, and to understand why some lack the ability and/or resources to help themselves,” she said.

Treppa concluded: “When we begin to abandon judgement and make a conscious effort to embrace the difficulties of others, we contribute to the kind of place where we’d all like to live. I believe that education is an important safeguard that will ultimately prevent more wrongful convictions from happening in the future.”

“Reclaiming Lives,” is available on Amazon.com

About Michael Ireland:

Michael Ireland is an Internet journalist and Media Missionary serving as Chief Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service. He is also an ordained minister and an award-winning local cable-TV host/producer. Michael has served with Dan Wooding and ASSIST News Service (ANS) since its beginning in 1989. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China, and Russia. Follow Michael on Facebook at MichaelIrelandMediaMissionary and on Twitter at @Michael_ASSIST. Consider supporting Michael as a media missionary on his website.

 

Final Steps Toward Freedom…   

This is a collect call from… “Michael.” To accept charges…press one.

(Beep) Connection established.

“Hello Joan and Mike,” the familiar voice said…

Michael Hirn, an innocent man imprisoned for over twenty-three years, was calling from McNaughton Correctional Center; a minimum security prison in Tomahawk, WI. The previous evening, he had tried calling us three times. Regrettably, my husband, Mike and I had missed those calls. Between bouts of sleep that night, I pondered the most likely reason for them. Maybe Michael was actually going to be paroled after all…

Michael had alluded to this possibility in a few of his recent letters but I was skeptical. Aside from Michael Piaskowski’s exoneration in 2001, only one other of these men has ever been paroled. All other bids for parole by Piaskowski’s co-defendants have repeatedly been denied…until extreme circumstances forced the hand of the Wisconsin Parole Commission in September of 2017. At that time Dale Basten, the oldest of the men (aged 77), was given what is called compassionate release; “…a process by which inmates in criminal justice systems may be eligible for immediate early release on grounds of particularly extraordinary or compelling circumstances.” (Wikipedia) I believe Dale’s deteriorating physical and mental capacity coupled with mounting medical bills were the only motivating factors for his release. Tragically, Dale passed away the following year in June of 2018.

 Mike and me with Dale Basten during a prison visit on 12-27-2015

WBAY story about Dale’s release.

WBAY story about Dale’s passing.

The next morning I emailed Tom, also a close friend of Michael’s. They spoke on the phone often so he’d know what was up. Sure enough, Tom confirmed my suspicions. “Mike was calling to let you know that he’s been granted parole,” Tom wrote. “He wanted to tell you himself.” Tom also explained that Michael would most likely be released….and soon.

As Mike and I eagerly waited for the automated system to connect us, I almost wished we didn’t know yet what Michael had tried to call us about. I felt we had robbed him of being the first to deliver this surprise. Still, trying to imagine how he must be feeling gave me goosebumps. But another voice deep within warned me to be cautious about the likelihood of his actual release. I was under the assumption that being granted parole required admitting guilt for the given crime and showing remorse. And I knew from talking to each of the men that they will never sacrifice their integrity by admitting to something they did not do. The question remained in my mind. Was the parole board really going to overlook this non-admission of guilt?

During our brief conversation Michael reiterated what Tom had said. He reassured us that he was going to be released the week before Christmas. He thought it would happen on Wednesday, December 19th. After our conversation, it started to sink in that this was becoming a reality. “This is our next miracle,” I said to my husband.

Michael and his family wanted his discharge to be private. They only wanted to be left alone, to relish in this triumph without the intrusion from the media or from those with less savory opinions. But that idea was squashed when news stories and articles started to surface about Michael’s impending release. I only found out that this information had reached the media through a text I received from a local reporter from WBAY looking for a comment. At first there was mere speculation about a specific time frame but more accurate details slowly surfaced and circulated to various news outlets in Green Bay. It was looking like this would happen on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. Mike and I discussed travel plans. We were not about to miss one of the most extraordinary steps of this journey that we were on!

Mike and I, my sister, Clare and her boyfriend, Gary checked into a motel near the prison on Monday night. The following morning I was scheduled to do an early interview with Steve Hopper, photojournalist from WBAY Ch. 2 (Green Bay), Shortly after seven a.m. Mike and I spotted Steve’s vehicle just outside the prison gates as dawn’s earliest light began to appear. Our friend Deb was there also. Clare and Gary showed up a little later. We all piled into warm vehicles after the interview was over. We waited…

My interview with photojournalist Steve Hopper     

A short time later a man pulled up in a gray pickup and parked along the opposite side of the road from us. He glanced in our direction with a pained look. I could see he was on the verge of tears. As he climbed out of his vehicle and headed in our direction, I was fairly certain that it was Michael’s Aunt Marlene and Uncle Terry’s son, Randy. He and I had communicated through emails prior to that day and Randy assured me that he’d be there that morning. As I walked toward him he asked, “Are you Joan?” “Yes,” I said. He hugged me tight and expressed his deep gratitude. We both did our best to contain the tears.

Meeting Randy

The mood lightened a bit as the others gathered around to meet Randy and to share in this awe-inspiring moment. “My parents are up by the prison entrance waiting for Michael to come out,” Randy said. He then drove up the driveway in that direction hoping to also be there to support them. We all followed in our cars and parked in the visitor lot. I opened my door and heard Randy’s voice. “They are in their eighties,” Randy pleaded with the corrections officer. “I want to be there with them.” Unfortunately all of us, including Randy, were asked to go back and park on the road outside the gates.

The gates as you enter McNaughton Correctional Center

Finally…at approximately 7:45, we caught sight of a bright red pickup truck coming toward us down the driveway from inside the prison gates. The truck stopped just short of passing through them. Michael Hirn, looking taller and slimmer than we remembered, exited the passenger side of the vehicle and walked with dignity as he took his final steps on foot toward freedom. He was leaving the McNaughton Correctional Center and prison life for good.

Michael Hirn walking toward freedom. (Photo courtesy of WBAY)

I describe those steps as his final ones because Michael had taken many of them over the years to achieve this goal. I felt it necessary to point that out when asked to submit a comment for this Green Bay Press Gazette article. Published days before Michael’s release, I felt these words adequately summarize the true character of this man: “People must understand that this (parole) was not simply handed to him,” said Treppa, who met all six men as part of the research for a book of her own, Reclaiming Lives: Pursuing Justice For Six Innocent Men. “He earned it through hard work, diligence, patience and a positive attitude. I believe that, in moving forward, being angry over something he cannot change will never define who this man is.”

My first hug from Michael after he was freed, with Clare and Randy looking on

With only the utmost respect for someone who is destined to become an effective spokesperson for the other men, I offer this recurring mantra found in many of Michael Hirn’s letters to me: “I’m serious about my intentions to be an advocate for prison reform once I’m exonerated,” he would write. I believe that his understanding of the dynamics of this case, his ability to curb his anger over these unlawful convictions, and his sheer determination to forge ahead, will open up new avenues to exoneration for them all.

Mark Saxenmeyer; producer of the up and coming docuseries titled Guilty Until Proven Innocent (highlighting stories of wrongful conviction including the Monfils case), his videographer, Joe Pollock, and Steve Hopper (WBAY) were set up and ready to record this important and historic event that infers increased hope of eventual freedom for the remaining incarcerated men. Hoping for an opportunity to actually speak with Michael, they stood patiently and respectfully on the sidelines, filming, snapping photos, and capturing poignant moments amid hugs, tears, smiles and relief as we all gathered to congratulate this now free man on this remarkable day.

The awesome procession we witnessed as Michael was escorted off of the prison grounds was indescribable…and appropriate. In fact, during our visit with Michael on April 18, 2015, Mike and I had the pleasure of meeting the two people who were given that opportunity. We will never forget this encounter which captures the essence and the scope of this ongoing tragedy:

Forty minutes into our visit, a guard came to ask if it was okay for two other visitors to join us. Michael’s Aunt Marlene and Uncle Terry arrived at the front desk. I had met a few of Michael’s closest family members—his son, Tyler, and stepfather, Mike Dalebroux. And each year we receive a Christmas card and newsletter from Michael with a picture of him and Tyler. Mike Dalebroux comes to our Walks and speaks highly of his stepson. Marlene and Terry have shown their support over the years by driving a long distance to visit Michael. When they came into the lounge, Michael introduced us and mentioned my involvement. Marlene thanked and hugged me as tears filled her eyes. Looking at Michael, she remarked, “I don’t know how you maintain such a positive attitude under these circumstances.” Michael said it was the support from us and many others that kept him strong.

Michael smiled in the photos we’d had taken. Marlene and Terry opted out of engaging in any. “We are waiting until after Michael is released,” Marlene said. – Excerpt from Reclaiming Lives

Fox Lake Correctional where Mike and I first met Marlene and Terry during our visit with Michael Hirn in 2015

What makes Michael’s release particularly extraordinary aside from its realization…is its delay. Years after the verdicts were rendered and prior to his retirement in 2004, Judge James Bayorgeon (original 1995 trial judge) wrote an open letter to the Parole Commission on behalf of each of the six men, with this directive: “I believe (insertion of each name) should be granted parole at the earliest possible date.”  But given the fact that Michael Hirn’s first bid for parole in 2010 was denied, and that all successive bids for parole since have been denied, it appears that this directive has been blatantly ignored by the Commission for far too long. With Michael’s unexpected release, I am very encouraged that the tide is now changing in this regard.

And rightly so. The list of facts suggesting the absolute innocence of all of these men is quite long. These few details related to Michael’s wrongful conviction are just the tip of the iceberg in a case plagued with missteps and illegal actions perpetrated by the authorities. During the original investigation into the Monfils case, Michael Hirn readily took four polygraph tests. In fact, he and all six of these men took multiple tests and passed them all. In my book I describe an instance where the lead detective tried (in vain) to disrupt at least some of those tests while they were being administered. Michael also pushed for FBI involvement during the investigation. Although the FBI was involved initially, their inquiry was brief. Why? The reasons for this are still unclear. Even now, many common sense questions remain unanswered about this case. One I hear often suggests the unlikelihood that these men would remain silent all of these years when sharing crucial information about Tom Monfils’ death could increase their chances for parole. And why would a guilty person push for FBI involvement?

And while the quest to free the remaining three men continues, we focus on the positive, and cherish the gifts given to us at a moment’s notice. We stand tall alongside our fellow crusaders in times of utter grief and unbelievable joy. Because this is the right thing…the only thing to do!

So while Michael was being interviewed the day of his release, I reminisced with Marlene and Terry about the memory of the prison visit. “Now you can finally have your photo taken with Mike,” I said excitedly to Marlene. The smile that appeared on her face was worth a thousand unspoken words. And similar to the visit at the prison which now felt like a thousand lifetimes ago, Marlene thanked me as she clung to me and to the newfound joy in her heart…as tears once again filled her eyes.

(L to R) My husband Mike, Randy, Marlene, Michael Hirn, me and Terry. Taken at the Beacon’s of Minocqua, the resort where Michael was employed as part of a work-release program. Michael wanted to show us the 24′ tree (behind us) that he helped to decorate. He also wanted to say “goodbye” to Mary, the resort director, and to everyone he befriended during his employment at the resort 

Shorter version of story about Michael Hirn on WBAY.

Longer version of story about Michael Hirn on WBAY.

For additional information about this case i.e., news clips, court briefs, etc. check out The Monfils Case Revisited on the sidebar.

Read about Michael and the other five men by ordering my book on Amazon or on this website (top right) to receive a signed copy. Thank you!