Keith Kutska
Supreme Court won’t hear Keith Kutska’s appeal of Tom Monfils murder conviction
Supreme Court won’t hear Keith Kutska’s appeal of Tom Monfils murder conviction
A man convicted of conspiring to kill a co-worker at the former James River Mill in 1992 will not get a new trial.
The U.S. Supreme Court this week denied Keith Kutska’s request for a review of his conviction for conspiring to kill Tom Monfils. The appeal was based on a claim that there was new evidence in the case and an argument that his trial lawyer and subsequent lawyers had been ineffective.
Kutska launched his bid for a new trial in 2015 in Brown County Circuit Court, where it was denied. The appeal was also rejected by a state court of appeals, after which the Wisconsin Supreme Court declined to review the case.
Kutska is one of four men serving life terms in prison in connection to Monfils death. Prosecutors say Kutska incited five other men to confront Monfils after he told authorities that Kutska had stolen a piece of electrical wiring from the Green Bay paper mill.
Monfils, 35, disappeared that day, and his body was found a day or two later when mill officials drained a pulp vat.
Two others who were convicted have been released from prison.
Mike Piaskowski, was released when a federal appellate judge ruled there had been insufficient evidence to convict him. Another, Dale Basten, now 76, was released to an assisted living facility in September due to his age and an apparent cognitive decline.
Wisconsin State’s Opposition Brief to Keith Kutska’s Appeal (June 2, 2016)
Wisconsin State’s Opposition Brief to Keith Kutska’s Appeal.
Wisconsin’s Opposition Brief to Keith Kutska’s Appeal (May 20, 2016)
Wisconsin State’s Opposition Brief to Keith Kutska’s Appeal.