Inside The Sweater Letter By Noel Bille, Kathleen Krause, Kris Jacobs, and Matthew Vaughn

North Dakota State University

Dr. Sullivan English 358

11/27/2012

An Introduction from the Writers

Books reporting or retelling true crime events often give the reader an omniscient and omnipresence view of the events being read. The facts, which could span months or years to cultivate, are presented and consolidated within a few hundred pages. This birds eye view of the entirety of the crime gives the reader a sense of control; it gives the reader a sense of understanding and clarity of what was seemingly a complex crime. While these type of true crime books are useful and thought provoking, they lack in the one category you would think would be their strong suit: realism. What is lost in the pages of endless facts and evidence is the day-to-day work of all the parties involved that eventually pieced the puzzle together. From the readers standpoint, it is hard to relate to characters whom, unlike the reader, cant see the larger picture. It is for this reason that our group has decided to present facts from the persona of the characters involved in the true crime story The Sweater Letter. Our pieces take place in the current timeline that the book outlines, and creates a sense of realism that is truly unique. We have chosen a wide variety of different characters involved who will have varying viewpoints on the events that unfold in the book. These characters include the Medical Examiner, Bob Ball, Det. Pop, and the Initial Officer at the scene of the crime. We decided to write field notes and police reports to create a narrative through those involved first-hand. Of course in our excursion into realism we will stumble and fall short. It would be entirely impossible for us, or anyone for that matter, to completely and accurately project another human beings life. We have read and researched diligently about the topics we will write about, and about the personas we will take on. It is our honest intention to present each piece with integrity to not only ourselves, but also the character being portrayed. It is our hope that these collection of reports, notes, and various different aids will give you a better understand and a more diverse viewpoint of Judy Moilanens murder.

Bob Ball Initial Field NotesNovember 29, 1992 1840hrsUnattended Death, shootingBlake Residence/Brookin ResidenceCherry LaneOntonagon, MichiganTime of original call 1712hrs

First on scene:Deputy Tom Cousineau, Ontonagon County Sheriff, investigationBill Burgess, Beacon Ambulance, transport/medical examinerJack Miles, Beacon Ambulance, transport

Body found by Mary Ann Blake (mother of victim) and Bill Dorvinen (neighbor).Body already moved from scene at Cherry Lane to morgue at Ontonagon Memorial Hospital.

Went to Ontonagon Memorial Hospital morgue to view body.Bill Burgess unsealed the morgue at my direction.Cousineau, Paczesny, Trooper Amee Ives, Bill Burgess present.Judy on gurney, wearing black waist-length jacket, fuchsia pullover shirt, green pants, and Sorel hiking boots.Jacket unzipped.Burgess stated jacket was unzipped by Dr. Gervae to examine the wound.5/16 in hole in right chest of jacket.Jagged, irregular hole in back left of jacket.Pulled back jacket and found bullet had pulled portion of shirt into chest.Piece of shirt pulled out of wound when I pulled back jacket.1 inch piece of tissue came out as well.Hole in chest oval, 1/2 inch by 3/4 inch.Hole in back 7/8 inch by 1 inch.Entry in chest, exit in back.Morgue was then sealed.

Went to Cherry Lane to search scene.9 people involved in search.Sheriff Tom Corda located Maple tree with graze mark.Graze mark on northeast side of tree.37 feet west of where body had been found.

Went to meet with Blakes and Moilanen at 2230hrs. Deputy Cousineau assisted.Bruce Moilanen immediately introduced himself. Stated he knew me from his time as a dispatcher in Negaunee.Conducted interview in kitchen. Dale Blake, David Blake, Bruce Moilanen.Dale and David did all the talking, Bruce nodded in agreeance.David Blake asked Bruce where he had been hunting all day.Bruce gave off a comprehensive list of places he had been and people he had seen.David Blake seemed dumbfounded and unsettled by Bruce's answer.

Met with Sheriff Tom Corda, Prosecutor Beth Paczesny and Deputy Tom Cousineau at Ontonagon County Sheriff's Department.Tom Cousineau had photographed scene.Tom Cousineau was unsettled about encounter with Bruce at the Hospital early in the night.Tom stated he has delivered a lot of death notifications.Tom said, "The way Bruce acted was strange. He wasn't the grieving husband."Tom said, "It was like he was sobbing without tears."Tom believed Bruce came out of the sobbing part too quickly and answered questions with absolute clarity.Decided to request a tracking dog at 0900hrs the following morning.Decided to do News Release: Depicted as hunting accident. Looking for further information.

The Sweater Letter, pages 6-12, 15-17, 45-50.

Bob Balls Interview Transcript With Bruce Moilanen

Transcript of InterviewAugust 23, 1993 1139hrs

Present:Bruce Moilanen, suspectDet. Lt. Chuck Allen, investigator/polygraphistDet. Sgt. Bob Ball, investigator

Allen: Now, Bruce, I want you to run through what you did on Nov. 29, 1992. Start with the morning and go through your day. Give me your account.

(Moilanen detailed the day from morning to night.)

A: Now, I'm going to go over some things with you.

(Allen started the polygraph and included the following questions:)

A: Did you kill your wife?

Moilanen: No

A: Were you the person holding the gun that shot the bullet that killed your wife?

M: No

(Allen finished the polygraph)

A: Bruce, I can't pass you on this examination. I think you shot your wife.

(Bruce said nothing)

A: Did they find a bullet, do you know?

M: Fragments, all they found were fragments.

A: They got the bullet...all of it.

M: They do?

A: Bruce, was this deliberate, or an accident?

M: I probably shouldn't say without an attorney.

A: I won't make you, you don't have to say anything. I'm not going to twist your arm. If you want to get an attorney in here, get one.

M: Yeh, okay.

A: Well?

M: I'll go ahead, It wasn't deliberate.

A: You just panicked and ran?

M: Yeh

A: I'm going to get Bob Ball in here. You know he's going to want to talk to you.

M: Yeh.

A: Bruce, you want to get an attorney in here, call him. Get him over here and we'll get this thing out in the open.

M: Yeh.

(Allen leaves the room and Ball enters soon after)

Ball: Bruce, there's no surprise here for me today. Myself and Don, we knew you did this. We've assembled a lot of evidence. We knew you were involved in your wife's death. We just don't know all the reasons why.

(Ball went over their findings in the investigation and laid out several letters written to Gayle Lampinen.)

B: For another thing, we know about the chimney block incident and a lot of people don't think that was an accident, there were also financial and marital problems you denied to me.

(Ball got little response from Moilanen)

B: She was domineering, wasn't she? She threatened to leave and take your property away? She backed you into a corner?

(Moilanen nodded his head)

B: Bruce, you shot your wife, didn't you?

(Moinanen did not answer)

B: You shot her didn't you?

M: I did, but it wasn't for Gayle.

B: Why Bruce, why?

M: She was threatening to leave for 2 1/2 years. And she was going to take half of everything I had.

B: That was it, huh?

M: She was a tyrant at work and a tyrant at home.

B: Hmmm

M: She was so involved in work. She'd be gone 12, 16 hours a day. I'd be left home to take care of Elise and I'd end up doing most of the cooking. She couldn't cook very good anyway. I had to ruin everybody's lives.

B: You did ruin some. Whose life do you feel worse about?

M: Well, I feel sorriest for Elise.

B: Taking Judy's life wasn't right, Bruce. We can't forgive that. Do you feel remorse over this?

M: I guess guilt and remorse are the same thing.

B: Why didn't you go the divorce route?

M: Yeh, but, like I said, I'd have lost what little I have. Either way, I'd lose what I had.

B: That was a big concern? Losing half of what you had?

M: Yeh.

B: Looking each other in the eye here, if you had it to do over, do you think you could take her life?

M: Not after all the misery it's brought on.

B: What went through your mind that night after you went back to the Blake's house?

M: Just stood in the backyard and waited for her to come back.

B: But you knew she wasn't coming, and you stood in the backyard?

M: Yeh, by the tree. I did the same thing the next morning. For about an hour. I stood there waiting for her to come back.

B: Do you think the Blakes suspected anything that night?

M: No, they never have.

B: What did you do that night?

M: I didn't sleep. I sat in the rocking chair all night. And the following day. I couldn't sleep for the first three days.

B: Did you realize this wasn't gonna fly as a hunting accident in those first few days?

M: I don't think so.

B: Did you think it could happen without being questioned?

M: Everything's going to be investigated.

B: Why did you do it? Were things that bad between you and Judy? I'm just talking in your mind. They were that bad you were willing to take the risk?

M: I guess. How long before the shit hits the proverbial fan?

B: Real quick. It's at the point where we couldn't wait any longer. Even if you wouldn't have come in here today, the plans were laid. We even had concern for you. I mean you're talking to Gayle in one of your letters here and you made referral to taking your own life. We had some real concern that things were coming to a head.

M: Can I spend Saturday and Sunday with my daughter?

B: I don't see how we're going to be able to allow that.

M: Give me a break. Give me Saturday and Sunday with her. You know I'm not going anywhere.

B: How do I know that?

M: I'll be here Monday. I'll come right up to the post.

B: We'll have a heart to heart here, and you give me some reasons to trust you. Tell me about the gun.

M: The gun? The gun is history.

B: How did 'history' happen?

M: I destroyed it with a torch.

B: What happened to the parts?

M: They're in...would be the Ford River.

B: What type of gun?

M: A 30-06.

B: Model?

M: Savage

B: Where did you park the car? Did you lie to us about the Turpeinen clear-cut?

M: No, I never went in there. I parked at the Lukkari property plant.

B: How long did it take you to walk back to the van?

M: I don't know. I ran.

B: What time did you pull the trigger?

M: No idea.

B: You must have some idea.

M: Quarter after 2. Somewhere around there.

B: How did you know she would be there?

M: I didn't.

B: You thought there was a good chance?

M: A possibility. Walking the dogs.

B: How long did you wait?

M: Awhile. And then I heard her coming with the dogs.

B: Did she see you?

M: No, She went by and I couldn't do it.

B: She went by once?

M: I couldn't do it.

B: Did the dogs detect you?

M: No.

B: So what happened then?

M: She went off to Nieminen's field and she was gone for awhile. Then she was coming back.

B: And...

M: And I couldn't do it again.

B: Go on...

M: Finally, I just...pointed and closed my eyes and pulled the trigger.

B: Did you see what happened?

M: No, Didn't even look. By the way, you guys got your information wrong.

B: What do you mean by that?

M: You guys thought she was shot in the back...and she wasn't.

B: Why do you say that?

M: I talked to the medical examiner.

B: Bruce, when you get our reports, you'll see they're very clear about where we think she was shot. Yes, the medical examiner did have a different opinion than we had. You'll see that when you get those reports.

(Ball then has Moilanen mark with an "x" on a map where he had been when the shot was taken)

B: What about the shell casing?

M: I don't remember. I ran for awhile and then I might've ejected it.

B: Where did you buy the gun?

M: Out of an ad in the Action Shopper.

B: Did you know the person you bought it from?

M: Wouldn't know him from Adam. I met him in the parking lot at the Holiday Gas Station.

B: What did it cost you?

M: I paid him $150. It was in pretty good shape.

B: What I'm going to have to do, for the time being, is put you in custody. We'll deal with it from there.

The Sweater Letter, pages 193 - 203.

Detective Popoure Field Notes

Detective PopoureField NoteInitial Interviews

Interviews:Bill Nemacheck Judys boss Also friend Financial problems in their household, but I dont really have details because Judy was very private about things like that Problems involving business or partnership involving Bruces Claim Service Had informed Judy of the employee assistance program Bruce talked to an attorney about bankruptcy He talked to an attorney he knew, and asked to help the Moilanens (Judy thanked him for that) Chimney block incident Judy was lucky to be alive

Roger Brooks Employee in risk management Had his Gordon Setter to the Moilanens for training Liked Judy, Bruce and him had problems (he saw Bruce kick another dog) Referred them to Robin Barten (help with understanding the hospitals insurance)

Robin Barten Safeco would pay $20,000 plus another $20,000 for accidental death Bruce had been telling people that he had $40,000 to $45,000 worth of insurance (and that this must be it)

Mary Andes Judy came to her crying and distraught in late October or early November Judy told her that she and Bruce were facing bankruptcy, and suggesting that Bruce might be involved in something fraudulent Judy was worried she might be held responsible too Judy had mentioned that she kept learning more and more about Bruce and that she had thought about leaving him, but didnt want to take his daughter away from him Judy was very adamant about Mary not telling anyone about this, especially Judys parents Marys understanding was that Judys mother never cared for Bruce Has a 3-paged, single space dated memo about her talk with Judy

Patricia Blake Nurse supervising the operating room Does not like Bruce Moilanen Said Bruce started vacation on Nov. 25, but had since applied for unpaid personal leave until Jan. 18, 1993, application got granted. Said he was an employee who was chronically late for work and often inexplicably away from his job people are irritated with him He isnt dependable worst employee Ive ever had

Katie Koupus Noticed Judy was upset late October Judy would take calls then go to talk privately and come back looking like she had been crying Knows enough about Bruce to know she doesnt want to know him Bruce made a comment to her about how he would make her cry someday soon after he had a difference with Jody at the hospital

Detective PopoureField Note Initial Interview with Bruce Moilanen

Arrived at the Moilanens at 8 pm, Bruce wasnt there so we waited till he arrived an hour later, to talk to him.Bruce Moilanen signed a permission to search Asked some questions and to rule out his firearms Bruce handed over: Remington 6mm Winchester 33 Remington 7mm Sturm-Ruger 357 magnum Said he had some other muzzle-loaders and a couple of shotguns but that was all of his high-powered stuff. Asked if we wanted some ammunition for testing We took some Bruce talked about his wifes accident, demonstrating that she was accident prone Automobile accident Four-wheeler accidentVisit was brief The main purpose was to get his firearms, so he couldnt hide them He never mentioned the chimney block incident Which was the most life-threatening experience Thats a red-flagTom Cousineaus Field Notes (Initial Officer at the Scene of the Crime)

Officer CousineauField NotesFirst officer at the Scene of the Crime

Received phone call at 5:12PM claiming Judy Blake Moilanen was shot Only officer available, I left towards cherry lane Met Dorvinen and Dale Brookings Walked along small hiking trail behind house Wooded area Past a pond Hunting area Sent brookings to wait for the ambulance Found body lying in the trail Could not pinpoint which way the bullet came through Looked as though a rifle shot One shot Asked Dorvinen if people hunt here Not really Too populated 8 or 9 families live on cherry lane Mostly not many hunters along this stretch Called Bill Burgess to drive ambulance Dorvienen flipped body over on her back He also removed her legs from puddle Claimed she was facing downwards when he found her Decided to bring the body to the morgue Marked the area for further investigation before leaving

Dr. Gervaes Field Notes (Medical Examination)

Dr. GervaeField NotesMedical Examiner

Victims name: Judy Blake Moilanen Entrance wound came from the front Unzipped Judys coat (Coat was zipped previously) Exit wound found in the back