ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book has not been easy to write. Not only is it my first, which means there was a lengthy learning curve, but I am still a prosecutor in the Wisconsin county where Steven Avery’s wrongful conviction occurred, and the book is highly critical of the police and the prosecutor responsible for his conviction. Besides, why would a prosecutor write a wrongful conviction book in the first place? They are typically the province of defense attorneys, members of Innocence Projects, or wrongly convicted individuals themselves.

It is with these thoughts in mind that I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the following individuals, without whose wise counsel, encouragement, and support, writing this book would have been a very lonely road to travel.

Thanks first to Penny Beerntsen whose courage and compassion turned what could have been a life-long tragedy into a mission to serve. As an invaluable member of the Wisconsin Criminal Justice Study Commission and the Wisconsin Crime Victims Rights Board in the years following her assault, and as a devoted volunteer for the Manitowoc County Sexual Assault Resource Center, the Wisconsin Restorative Justice Program, and Northwestern University Law School’s Center on Wrongful Convictions, Penny has devoted much of her time and considerable talent to helping crime victims and offenders alike get their lives back on track. Thanks Penny, your life is an inspiration!

Thanks also to University of Wisconsin law school professor Keith Findley. Keith is the former director at the Wisconsin Innocence Project and served as lead counsel in the litigation that resulted in Steven Avery’s exoneration. From when we first learned about the DNA results until today, I’ve treasured our conversations.

Thanks to Marquette University law school professor and former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske. Janine’s reputation is unmatched in Wisconsin legal circles, but it was her compassion for her close friend, Penny Beerntsen, that says the most about her character. Thanks Janine for your support of this project.

Thanks to Milwaukee attorneys Steven Glynn and Walter Kelly, two of the most highly skilled criminal defense attorneys in the state of Wisconsin who represented Steven Avery in his wrongful conviction lawsuit. Generously sharing with me their valuable time, they alerted me to some critical facts surrounding Mr. Avery’s wrongful conviction, shedding further light on what I’d already recognized as one of local law enforcement’s darkest hours.

A huge thanks to my editor, Jonathan Malysiak at American Bar Association Publishing. This project was on life support until it caught Jon’s attention. His enthusiasm and knowledge of all things relating to books could not have come at a better time. It’s been my privilege to work you, Jon.

Thanks to Washington lawyer, author, and agent Ronald Goldfarb of Goldfarb and Associates for understanding the importance of the Avery story early on. Working with someone of Ron’s caliber was truly an honor.

Thanks to Jody, Mary, Perry, Kerry, Dan, and mom. Reviewing early versions of manuscripts is an unenviable task, but you did it with good cheer. Your comments were thoughtful and your advice was always sound.

Thanks to William Zinsser, whose classic book, On Writing Well, about the craft of writing creative non-fiction, helped immeasurably – I marked up more of his book than I left alone.

And most of all, thanks to Jody and the kids. You’ve put up with an often absent husband and father for three and a half years yet continued with your love and support. Remember, this is our book, not mine.