Welcome

If you're new to the project, the pitch video you just watched was part of a campaign on Kickstarter in late 2012 when Richard LaFuente, the last of the 11 defendants, was still in prison. That campaign generated in excess of $34,000 of pledges as a result of diehard backer devotion, sweeping press coverage in The New York Times and Texas Monthly magazine, regional coverage in North Dakota and Texas, and good 'ole digital word of mouth via Facebook and Twitter. 

A lot has happened since then. Last summer, Richard LaFuente was denied parole yet again for refusing to show remorse for a crime he did not commit. Interestingly, that denial was reversed in January of this year, and Richard was released on June 5th. 

Why? 

We don't know, but the release came in the wake of some intriguing legal developments: 

• Richard's attorney, Julie Jonas of the Innocence Project of Minnesota, filed an Executive Clemency Petition, which surely helped to alert people in the highest levels of government that Richard and his codefendants were in fact innocent.
  
• David Thompson, the first defense attorney to appear in the case, produced a new witness statement which identified the actual killers of Eddie Peltier. 
• The statement was formally presented to the US Attorney and the FBI who indicated an interest in re-opening the case. 

We're not lawyers or law school professors, but like you, we understand that the primary responsibility of the judiciary is to ensure equal justice under law. Given our 30-month investigation of the case, it is our opinion that equal justice was not served. 

Which is why we remain 100% committed to making the film; the truth must finally come out; the identities of the true killers of Eddie Peltier must be revealed; and justice must be served so that the public's trust in the system is maintained.

Finally, we believe this film can be an instrument of hope for other wrongfully convicted men and women who find themselves in this same predicament, as well as victims' families who need closure. 

Become a CATALYST. Help protect your own constitutional right to equal justice under law.

-Todd Trotter, June 5, 2014

Jerome Eddie Peltier (Courtesy of Andrea Peltier)

Actual footage of Richard's release on June 5, 2014

Where your money goes

Your donations will go toward shooting interviews with key participants in North Dakota, Minnesota, Arizona and Texas, and beginning the editorial process. Thankfully, over the last three decades, I've developed relationships with many talented filmmakers who will help us keep the costs down. But make no mistake: the fundraising will continue beyond this initial phase to ensure timely completion of the film. 

A Q&A with the Director

Richard LaFuente and his codefendants are all free men now. So why make the film?

Because Richard was not exonerated of the crime of murder. And many of his codefendants are still burdened with false charges stemming from the original indictment, not to mention the stigma of having been wrongfully convicted to begin with.

Will the film actually exonerate Richard?

We believe the newly discovered evidence we intend to show in the film will expose the identities of the real killers in such a way that it will make it virtually impossible for the DOJ and FBI not to re-open the case. 

If they already have the identities of the real killers, why aren't they doing anything about it?

Good question. If you help us reach our goal, we'll give them the opportunity to explain that on-camera. 

Behind the scenes

Todd Trotter got his start in feature film production (Robocop, Throw Momma From The Train), and has written, produced, and supervised post-production on scripted, unscripted and documentary television series. He supervised post-production on Talking Bad, and is currently Post-production Supervisor on Talking Dead. A member of the Writers Guild of America and Producers Guild of America, Incident at Devils Lake is his directorial debut. 

Emmy-nominated editor Todd Muscat, who is also a former Geffen recording artist, has edited over 300 hours of scripted and unscripted television series. 

Fargo Forum reporter Patrick Springer, who covered the trial from start to finish, is consulting on the project. 

Award-winning investigative journalist Michael Hall, who reported Richard LaFuente's story in The New York Times, interviewed many of the primary participants in the case and is a key consultant. 

Mike Wiser, an award-winning filmmaker who has written and produced for the PBS series FRONTLINE, has been providing advice and consultation on the project.

Matt Daniel, a former professional firefighter/EMT-D and devotee to justice, has been deeply involved in the research process.

Follow our progress

https://www.facebook.com/IncidentAtDevilsLake

www.incidentatdevilslakemovie.com

https://twitter.com/DevilsLakeMovie

"I’m happy to see that this campaign is back again. Let us hope for a successful campaign this time so that the documentary can be made and justice can be achieved."

-Fredrik

"The time for this project is now."

-Garner S.

-Cyrus N.

My film school buddy helped get this guy out of prison after 28 years and he needs your support to make a documentary film that will exonerate him. Check out my buddy's Indiegogo campaign. It's a passionate and worthy cause."

-Jack F.

"Fingers crossed! Checking frantically and hoping to hear that you're funded! This is a great project and I wish that I could send more support. 
Best of luck and I hope to send congratulations tomorrow morning"

-Colleen P.

"Richard's story could have easily been yours or mine."

-Mark H.

iPhone Cover Perk

T-shirt Perk

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Incident at Devils Lake in the Press

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To learn more about the case, please visit www.IncidentAtDevilsLakeMovie.com

An injustice anywhere is threat to justice everywhere.

-Martin Luther King, Jr.