Tag Archives: The Reporter’s Inc

A Public Appearance and Fervent Appeal…

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Nervous excitement consumed me as we arrived at the Brown County Library in Downtown Green Bay on Saturday, January 11, 2020. My husband, Mike, and sister, Clare, were there to lend support and to help prepare for one of my most important and uniquely historic book events.

We were greeted by my niece, Jordan, who was waiting in the lobby and wearing her ever cheerful smile. Jordan is my technical guru and photographer at book events. Her assistance on that day was especially appreciated.   

Jordan and me at a previous book event

In the meeting room located on the lower level of the library, Mike and Clare busied themselves with setting up posters and a table for book sales. Jordan and I did a test run on the Power Point program. Luckily, there weren’t any apparent glitches that might spoil the presentation or lessen the focus on my notable special guest…

Promotional flyer created by the Brown County Library staff

This was the first time since my book; Reclaiming Lives: Pursuing Justice For Six Innocent Men was published in 2017, that one of the newly released men would be joining me for a book event. I was thrilled when Michael Hirn, the youngest of the six, and the one who was released just over a year ago on December 18, 2019, agreed to participate.

(Photo courtesy of WBAY Ch. 2 from December 18, 2018)

“I’m getting excited for this event,” Hirn had told me a few days earlier.

I admired his courage. This being his first public appearance since his release, we had discussed his wariness of being the center of attention, and his susceptibility to negative scrutiny.

“My audiences have always been respectful,” I reassured him. “I believe this audience will be receptive to you, and to what you have to say. In fact, those who feel otherwise typically stay away and prefer to hide behind their aliases to ridicule everything they know nothing about!”

A half hour before we were to begin, our guest of honor walked off of the elevator. His presence soon filled the room. Accompanying him was his girlfriend, Gretchen, and some of her friends. Kirt, a friend of Hirn’s who has lent his support since they became friends, was also with them. Kirt had reached out to me as a way to reconnect with Hirn shortly after his release and it was great to finally meet him.

Andrea, the events coordinator for the library who had graciously assisted in scheduling this event, came down to check on our progress. She was delighted to meet Hirn and she expressed interest in learning more about this case. She said she’d be back down to introduce the two of us, and to listen in to at least part of the program.

Soon, people filtered in. Chairs filled. More were brought in. The room came alive with people conversing and sharing their connection to this high-profile case. Many gathered to hear the truths of this brave soul.

WBAY Ch. 2 (Green Bay) reporter and journalist, Dakota Sherek arrived. “Do you have a few minutes for an interview?” she asked. We left the room, now bustling with people. Afterward, she positioned her camera toward the back of the room to film part of the event.

Also in attendance was Green Bay Press-Gazette reporter, Paul Srubas, who has covered this case since the beginning in 1992.

Applause followed Andrea’s introduction. It was time to share aspects of a journey that had traveled from Wisconsin to Minnesota and landed in the hands of key legal professionals who, after studying all aspects of this case, became troubled and alarmed by what they felt was a deeply problematic case. They soon became actively involved in correcting an unjust outcome.

Retired crime scene expert, Johnny Johnson, and Mpls attorney, Steven Kaplan, uncovered new information supporting the idea that Monfils’ death  was a suicide

It is always my greatest hope that a mere glimpse into this complex case has the potential to sway opposing views of those who are convinced this was a murder, or who may still be on the fence. In my narrative, I emphasized the following details as the main elements of why this case has not slipped into oblivion for twenty-eight years:

No eye witnesses corroborated a beating had occurred and no blood was found in the area where it was said to have taken place. No murder weapons were ever found. (Photo Courtesy of The Monfils Conspiracy Published: 2009)

Tom Monfils body was found near these propeller blades inside the paper pulp vat. A more recent examination of the autopsy report revealed the dimensions of the injury on the back of his head match the dimensions of these blades exactly. However, the original coroner had determined all injuries had occurred prior to the victim entering the vat. (Photo courtesy of Mpls investigative team)

The rope and weight are the only tangible pieces of evidence. In 1992, the crime lab identified these knots as nautical in nature and recommended they be sent to the Coast Guard for examination. No record has been found of them being sent. In 2015, it was learned that Monfils’ brother, Cal, had told detectives in 1992 that they were possibly tied by his brother and that this info had been dismissed. Also in 2015, knot was identified by a rope expert as a two half-hitch nautical knot. (Photo courtesy of Mpls investigative team)

Former prosecutor’s stance on the evidence from the original trial. (Photo courtesy of Beyond Human Nature Documentary film due out in 2020) 

 WI exoneree’s stance on the crime. (Photo courtesy of Beyond Human Nature Documentary film) 

Also highlighted were more recent releases of three other men:

Dale Basten was released to a nursing home on September 5, 2017. Although he had major health issues, he was still required to wear an ankle monitor. He died nine months later on June 23, 2018

Clare Martinson with longtime friend Reynold Moore. Rey’s release date: July 2, 2019

Mike-Joan Treppa with Kim-Michael Johnson on July 3, 2019; the day Johnson was released.

The presentation ended with a 6-minute video taken the day of Hirn’s release; a touching portrayal of hope, years lost, and new beginnings on the tail of catastrophic tragedy and demoralizing loss. The piece was created by friend and colleague, Mark Saxenmeyer; CEO of Minnesota based The Reporters Inc, as part of his docuseries titled Guilty Until Proven Innocent.

The audience then offered another round of applause and turned their attention to the main character in the video. Hands shot up. Questions arose. Concerns were raised. Most importantly, hearts were deeply touched as evidenced by the outpouring of warmth, support, empathy, and compassion for an undeserving fate that befell this honorable individual. Undeniable to this crowd was Hirn’s deep personal conviction, self-imposed high standards, and absence of anger to never allow this nightmare to define who he is today, tomorrow, or ever.

One of Michael’s first statements to the crowd was a generous but fervent appeal:

“Everybody is entitled to their opinion, whether they’re on our side or not. But not if you’re uninformed.”

And another noteworthy comment in response to a question he is asked frequently in regard to the way in which Tom Monfils may have died:

“To anyone who asks who in their right mind would kill themselves like that?” Hirn answers, “Who in their right mind would kill themselves?”

Fifteen books went out the door that day. I had requested Hirn also sign them. He did so with enthusiasm as he socialized with excited purchasers. This was his moment to heal, to savor the normalcy that everyone in that room knew. It was his time to shine, and to devour a feeling of belonging within a community he’d been isolated and shunned from for twenty-three years.

The 90-minute allotment for this event slipped by unnoticed. Finally, after nearly three hours, we were reminded through the library’s telecom system that they would be closing in twenty minutes. We packed up our belongings with great satisfaction, and a sense that this event had advanced our purpose to educate and inform.

Events like this one continue to present and open new doors and new avenues of communication, which solidifies our belief that we are on the right path, but far from completing this noble and necessary mission…

WBAY article

Green Bay Press-Gazette article

Bridging The Gap To Freedom…

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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.

Survivors and Heroes = True Champions…

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“This looks like the place,” I said to my husband, Mike as we hurried to the entrance of the Giddens Alumni Learning Center on the Hamline University campus in St. Paul, Minnesota. I was feeling anxious because we were running late for a screening of the wrongful conviction documentary True Conviction.

According to the trailer we viewed online, the film tells the story of how three Texas exonerees; Christopher Scott, Steven Phillips, and Johnnie Lindsey1 combined forces to form a new detective agency based in Dallas, TX called House of Renewed Hope. Founded by Scott in 2010, the main focus of this non-profit organization is to help other wrongfully convicted prisoners.

Exonerees Johnnie Lindsey, Christopher Scott and Steven Phillips. (Photo used with permission from Independent Lens PBS)                      

Since becoming advocates for the wrongfully convicted, Mike and I have acquainted ourselves with both the courageous survivors of an imperfect criminal justice system and the everyday heroes working tirelessly to correct its many flaws. That evening, Thursday, April 19, 2018, we were about to meet Christopher Scott, one of those true champions who inadvertently dangled on both sides of that fence. After having been targeted, convicted, and exonerated for a crime he did not commit he began a crusade to help others achieve the same ending. He simply couldn’t forget the ones he knew about that had been left behind in prison.

Christopher and I connected on social media before this event was publicized and I was thrilled to learn he was the guest of honor. Being among the last to arrive at the theater-like room—now bustling with people—I hoped we didn’t miss our chance to speak with him before the film started. Sometimes it’s difficult to find the opportunity as an evening progresses and I worried about delivering a special gift to him that I had brought along.

I scanned the room as we descended the stairs. I spotted Christopher sitting by himself and not currently engaged in conversation. “Looks like we’ve arrived in time to introduce ourselves,” I told Mike.

On our way over to where Christopher sat, we said a quick “hello” to M Sheridan Embser-Herbert, director of the Hamline University Center for Justice and Law who was hosting the event. Standing near Christopher were the Innocence Project of Minnesota’s executive director, Nick Vilbas and the Project’s legal director, Julie Jonas.

Nick Vilbas, M Sheridan Embser-Herbert, Christopher Scott and  Julie Jonas (Photo courtesy of the Innocence Project of Minnesota)           

Christopher appeared relaxed as we approached. When I extended my hand to shake his, he sat tall and smiled while returning the gesture.

“Hey Christopher, I’m Joan,” I said. You and I are friends on twitter.”

Christopher’s face lit up and in a distinct Southern drawl he said, “I enjoy our twitter conversations.”

The three of us chatted for a few minutes. I then retrieved a copy of my book Reclaiming Lives from my handbag. “Here it is,” I said to Christopher. “And check out the sticker on the cover. I won a national book award.”

Christopher was grateful for the gift and said, “I’m definitely planning on reading this during my flight home.”

The film was about to start so Mike and I quickly found a pair of empty seats in the row behind and kitty-corner to where Christopher was seated.

The documentary—which aired on the Independent LensPBS program on April 30th—takes the audience on a deeply personal journey of the friendship, commitment, and heartache this trio had experienced. In addition to highlighting the work of their organization, the film reveals the circumstances of each of their wrongful convictions. Christopher’s roots and the repercussions of his absence which presented new and ongoing challenges for his family, are also emphasized in this highly emotionally charged film.

Christopher’s story: Christopher’s troubles began in 1997 when he wound up in the wrong place at the wrong time while driving to a friend’s house in a Dallas neighborhood. A robbery and fatal shooting had taken place that night, somewhere in the vicinity. There was a lot of commotion on the street with squad cars hugging the side of the road and flashing lights engaged. Police officers in the area were on high alert, looking for suspects. As Christopher cautiously drove by, he wondered what had happened. And he realized as he turned the corner that a squad car with its flashers on had pulled up behind him and started to follow him. Christopher reached his destination. While inside his friend’s house, more squad cars showed up and officers surrounded the house. Christopher and his friend were asked to exit the house and lay down on the ground out front. Numerous suspects were brought to the same location and asked to do the same. Christopher was eventually singled out as a person of interest even though his clothing didn’t match the description of the clothing the perpetrators wore. Nevertheless, he was taken to the police station for questioning, handcuffed with his hands behind his back, and placed in a room by himself. A woman appeared with an officer that Christopher recognized as the one who had brought him in. The officer asked the woman if Christopher was the man who had killed her husband. She confirmed that he was.

Christopher was charged with murder and after an eight day trial, received a life sentence. It had been that easy to take an innocent life and turn it into a hellish nightmare.

During the film, I glanced over at Christopher on occasion to observe his reactions to the tragedies that unfolded before us. Each time, I saw tears in his eyes. I guessed that the drive…strength of character…and courage of this man along with an ability to show compassion and empathy toward others—all of which were aptly portrayed in the film—were rooted in the pain he was now feeling as he relived those moments.

(Photo courtesy of the Hamline University Center for Justice and Law)              

After the film, Christopher spoke to the audience and kindly mentioned my name when expressing his appreciation for the support he received that evening. During an interactive discussion that followed, many in the audience expressed their dismay about what they had witnessed, the many lives torn apart, and how widespread the corruption within the criminal justice system is. One woman shared a personal story about her son’s recent wrongful conviction. This spurred a conversation about term limits, elections, and how judges and prosecutors are too easily re-elected especially when they run unopposed. Also mentioned was the despicable lack of accountability of these officials when findings of unethical and unlawful practices—blatant disregard for the law—are exposed.

Exoneree Christopher Scott with Joan and Mike Treppa                                       

Mike and I did get the chance to speak with Christopher at length afterward. I remarked, “You didn’t have a dry eye the entire time, did you?”

“No, I didn’t,” he admitted. “This stays with you,” said Christopher of his experience. “And I don’t expect it will ever go away.”

Also joining the conversation was Mark Saxenmeyer, CEO of The Reporter’s Inc.; a Minneapolis based journalistic production company promoting social change and justice through multimedia storytelling.

“Mark is producing a wrongful conviction documentary called Guilty Until Proven Innocent,” I told Christopher.

Mark went on to explain that this film is still in production. “Ours will run as a series and focus on a number of wrongful conviction cases from across the country,” Mark said. “And the Wisconsin Monfils case will be featured in this series.” .                

Ironically, 2009 was a pivotal year for Christopher…and for me. He had been declared “actually innocent” and was released from prison when the person who committed the murder came forward to confess. He spent thirteen years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

2009 was the year I learned there are innocent people in prison and that they can be convicted based on little, inadequate, flawed or NO evidence whatsoever. I learned that in a significant amount of cases, evidence is even fabricated to fit a specific theory! That year I began my crusade on behalf of the six innocent men convicted in the 1992 death of mill worker Tom Monfils; a murder many of us believe never happened.

(L to R) Decedent Tom Monfils, convicted men; Dale Basten, Michael Johnson, Michael Hirn, Reynold Moore, Keith Kutska, and exoneree Michael Piaskowski  

I was able to share an incredible irony with Christopher about Jamie Meltzer; MFA program director in documentary film at Stanford University and director of True Conviction. Years ago, through an online networking webpage called About.me, a similar interest in wrongful convictions forged a brief connection between Jamie and me. The timeline suggests he was in the early stages of putting this film together while I was in the throes of publicizing my mission on behalf of the Wisconsin men. Because of Jamie’s affiliation with Stanford University, I had given him the name of Lawrence Marshall—also affiliated with Stanford—as a reference for his project because of my knowledge of the appellate work Marshall had done for one of the six wrongfully convicted men I support.

Final thoughts: I see time and again that until a wrongful conviction touches us personally, we too easily and too often cast the issue aside as irrelevant or insignificant. We must acknowledge that these circumstances destroy families, tear communities apart, and affect our everyday lives more than we could ever imagine. We must celebrate people like Jamie, entities like PBS, and organizations like House of Renewed Hope, The Reporter’s Inc., The Innocence Network, and The Center for Justice and Law, all of whom so willingly and diligently create an awareness and help to change laws and procedures that undermine our freedoms.

Please join me in saying…THANK YOU!

1) As is on the HRH website: “Sadly in 2018, cancer took Johnnie’s life but his spirit lives on and he will forever be a member of the team.”

2) Dale Basten—the oldest of the Wisconsin men—was paroled in 2017 due to his failing health when his medical costs at $92K/yr. became too costly for the WI prison system to absorb. Sadly, in June of 2018, he passed away in a nursing home with his two daughters at his side.